Edinburgh is the administrative and cultural capital of Scotland. In the 18th century Edinburgh began to emerge as an intellectual capital of Europe. New Town is characterised by Georgian architecture. Princes Street marks the division between the old and new. A particularly enjoyable time to visit the city is during the Edinburgh International Festival. The Festival takes place the last two weeks in August. The official program includes opera, ballet, symphony concerts, plays, movies and art exhibitions. The Military Tattoo, staged by Scottish regiments is one of the most spectacular events. City Art Center is the home of Edinburgh's fine arts collection. Edinburgh Zoo is one of the finer zoos in Europe. National Gallery of Scotland contains paintings by Scottish and European masters from the 14th to 19th centuries. Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Queen when
she is in Scotland. Aberdeen is a noble northern city which bristles with history. A number of buildings in Aberdeen are of historical interest. A Statue of Lord Byron in front of Aberdeen Grammar school recalls that this poet attended the school 1794-98. Aberdeen lies near the most "castled" part of Scotland. Balmoral Castle is a summer residence for the British Royal Family. They have come to Balmoral each summer traditionally since 1853. Braemar is a village popular with summer visitors. The Royal Highland gathering, an exhibition of Scottish sports held in September, is usually attended by the Royal family. Balmoral Castle is 6 miles east from Braemar. Glasgow was founded by the missionary St. Mungo about 550 A.D. It is a manufacturing and shipping center. Glasgow is architecturally a product of the 19th century. Kilmarnock is famous for the world's largest whiskybottling concern. Robert Burns published his first book of poems in Kilmarnock. The town's museum, within a monument
to Burns, contains a copy of that book.