'Being A Scot' creates a stir

Arguably, Edinburgh's most famous living son has criticised some aspects of the Scottish capital. Sean Connery's autobiography was published on August 21. Earlier today, Connery launched his autobiography, Being A Scot, at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in front of a capacity 300 crowd.

Network Rail is among the subject for the actor who famously played James Bond. Connery dislikes the fact that Waverley Station has been officially renamed Edinburgh Waverley.

The staunch supporter of Scottish independence also reserves criticism for "dark tourism" on the historic Royal Mile. Visitors to Edinburgh can see the light with two audio walking tours of Edinburgh. Both the Royal Mile & More, Edinburgh city walking tour and the Old & New Towns, Edinburgh iPod travel guide cost just £5.95 each. Customers who buy both tours simultaneously will receive a twenty per cent discount.

The Royal Mile & More mp3 guided tour is centred in the Old Town. Listeners to the Royal Mile & More visitor guide, which begins in the Castle Esplanade, will hear about the fortress's turbulent history. Learn about the origins of the daily firing of the One O'Clock Gun. Hear about successful and unsuccessful attempts to storm the Castle.

Listeners to a Walk Talk Tour audio walking tour are in control of their sightseeing. Should the weather or your appetite get the better of you simply stop your tour and resume it once the skies have cleared or you're hunger has been sated. Many of the top visitor attractions in Edinburgh are free to enter. Take a look at our Where & When pages, which accompany each tour and provide information about admission charges and opening times of museums, galleries, castles and major points of interest along each tour's route. In addition, each Walk Talk Tour of Edinburgh comes with a free downloadable tour plan for you to print off.

Hear about some of the history behind the new Scottish Parliament - which does receive Connery's praise. Sadly, the architect behind the building, Enric Miralles, died before it was completed. The Royal Mile & More podcast guided tour concludes in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Independent travellers can also walk between Edinburgh's Old and New Towns with the Old & New Towns, Edinburgh travel guide. The podcast guided tour begins in the Castle Esplanade. Listeners then walk down to the Grassmarket. Hear how two malingned murderers - who worked in tandem - met different ends, learn about the woman who survived the hangman's noose and more. Walk Talk Tourists then continue over the Mound into Princess Gardens. To hear a short audio extract from the Old & New Towns, Edinburgh travel guide, please click here.

Hear about Sir Walter Scott, a nineteenth century Scottish patriot who found fame as the author of the Waverley historical novels. Waverley Station was named after these novels. Listeners to the Old & New Towns audio walking tour will hear where Scott eventually revealed that he was, indeed, the author of the novels.

Hear about a young architect who made a big name for himself, when he won the competition to design the New Town. His plan was adopted in 1767. Hear why the New Town was built and find out about some of the restrictions that were imposed on developers in a bid to ensure uniformity.

The Old & New Towns mp3 guided tour concludes in Charlotte Square, where the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival is held in August. Undercover tourists listening to the Old & New Towns Edinburgh walking tour will hear how several famous Scots were born on - or close to - Charlotte Square.

Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, would not have had far to travel to attend the launch of Connery's autobiography earlier today. The First Minister's official residence is Bute House.