Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It is one of Scotland's 32 council areas. The city sits in southeast Scotland. It is next to the Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south.

Edinburgh has many important places. It is home to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The city has the University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582. It is also a big centre for money and business. It is the second-largest financial centre in the United Kingdom.

Edinburgh is a lively place for culture. It holds big events like the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe. These are large arts festivals. Famous old sites such as Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, and the Georgian New Town draw visitors. The Old Town and New Town together are a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO.

Etymology

Main article: Etymology of Edinburgh

The name "Edinburgh" comes from an old place called Eidyn, spoken in Cumbric. A big old fort on a hill, called Din Eidyn, was likely where Edinburgh Castle stands now. The city's name changed over time, finally becoming Edinburgh. In Scottish Gaelic, the city is called Dùn Èideann.

Nicknames

Edinburgh has a few fun nicknames! One is Auld Reekie, which means "Old Smoky" in Scots. People called it that because from far away, the city looked like it was covered in smoke.

Another nickname is the Athens of the North. People started calling it that in the early 1800s because, just like Athens in Greece, Edinburgh had grand buildings and a history of smart thinking. The city's hills and neat streets reminded many visitors of ancient Greece.

History

Main article: History of Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a long and rich history. People first lived in the area around 8500 BC, near Cramond. Many groups lived there over time, including the Votadini tribe and the Gododdin kingdom.

In the Middle Ages, Edinburgh became an important city. King David I started the royal burgh in the 1100s. The city grew even with wars and fires. In the 1700s, Edinburgh expanded with the New Town. It became a place for learning during the Scottish Enlightenment. Famous thinkers like David Hume and Adam Smith helped make the city well-known. Today, Edinburgh is an important cultural and financial center in the United Kingdom.

Geography

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, located in the country's Central Belt. It is on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, with the Pentland Hills to the south. The city is built on seven hills, including Calton Hill, Corstorphine Hill, and Arthur's Seat. This gives it a landscape similar to the seven hills of Rome.

The city's shape is influenced by its natural surroundings. It spreads out between the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills. Old volcanic activity and glaciers from the ice age shaped the area. Notable features include Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle stands, and the Salisbury Crags, a series of cliffs. The Water of Leith river flows through the city, and Edinburgh is surrounded by a green belt to protect nature and limit city growth.

Demography

Main article: Demographics of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. About 506,520 people live there. Many of these people are young adults in their 20s and 30s.

The city is very diverse. People there come from many different countries and backgrounds. Many residents were born outside the UK. There are communities from places like Poland, India, Pakistan, China, and Nigeria. Edinburgh also has people from many different religious backgrounds, including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist groups. The city has many places of worship for these communities.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Edinburgh

Further information: Economy of Scotland

Edinburgh has a strong economy. It is the second strongest in the United Kingdom after London. Many people there have degrees or professional skills. In 2023, Edinburgh’s economy grew more than London’s.

The city is important for Scotland's government and its legal system. Many government offices are there, including St Andrew's House and Bute House. Other key areas are education, health care, science, and technology. Tourism is also important, with many visitors coming to see places like Edinburgh Castle and the Old and New Towns, especially during the Edinburgh Festivals each August.

Culture

Festivals and celebrations

Edinburgh festivals

Main article: List of Edinburgh festivals

Edinburgh is famous for its many festivals. These happen between the end of July and early September each year. Some of the most famous are the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival.

The Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival both began in 1947. The International Festival has famous theatre and classical music from around the world. The Film Festival is the oldest continually running film festival in the world. It shows new and exciting films from many countries.

The Edinburgh Fringe started with a few small shows. It has grown into the largest performing arts festival in the world. Comedy is very popular at the Fringe, and many comedians start their careers there. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place on Castle Esplanade for three weeks every August. It features pipe bands and military bands from many countries, ending with a fireworks show.

Besides the summer festivals, Edinburgh hosts many other events throughout the year, including the Edinburgh International Science Festival. The festivals were not held in 2020 for the first time in 70 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebration began as a street party near the Tron Kirk in the Old Town. Since 1993, it has been organized officially and moved to Princes Street. Today, Hogmanay lasts four days with processions, concerts, and fireworks. The street party starts on Hogmanay night, and there are also tickets for concerts in Princes Street Gardens and traditional Scottish dancing events.

Beltane and other festivals

On the night of April 30, the Beltane Fire Festival happens on Calton Hill. It includes a procession and performances inspired by old spring celebrations. In early October, the Dussehra Hindu Festival is also held on Calton Hill.

Music, theatre and film

Edinburgh has many theatres and places for watching films. The Royal Lyceum Theatre has its own theatre company, while the King's Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and Edinburgh Playhouse show big touring productions. The Traverse Theatre offers more modern plays. Amateur theatre groups perform at the Bedlam Theatre, Church Hill Theatre and King's Theatre among others. The Usher Hall is a main venue for classical music concerts and sometimes hosts popular music too. Other music and theatre venues include The Hub, the Assembly Rooms and the Queen's Hall. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is based in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh has two cinemas that show many different films, The Cameo and the Edinburgh Filmhouse, as well as the independent Dominion Cinema and several multiplex cinemas. Big concerts sometimes happen at Murrayfield Stadium and Meadowbank Stadium, while smaller concerts are at places like O2 Academy Edinburgh. Many city pubs are famous for live folk music performances. Nightclubs in the city also host electronic dance music events.

Media

The main local newspaper is the Edinburgh Evening News. It is published with The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday by JPIMedia. Student newspapers include The Journal for Scotland's universities and The Student from the University of Edinburgh. Community newspapers are The Spurtle from Broughton, Spokes Bulletin, and The Edinburgh Reporter.

Edinburgh has many commercial radio stations such as Forth 1, which plays popular music, and Greatest Hits Edinburgh on DAB for classic hits. Capital Scotland and Heart Scotland also broadcast to Edinburgh. Along with UK national radio, BBC Radio Scotland and the Gaelic service BBC Radio nan Gàidheal are available. DAB digital radio is broadcast over two local multiplexes. BFBS Radio broadcasts from Dreghorn Barracks on 98.5FM. Small community radio stations began broadcasting in October 2022.

Television and most radio services are broadcast from the Craigkelly transmitting station in Fife and the Black Hill transmitting station in North Lanarkshire. There are no television stations based in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Television operated from the late 1990s to early 2003, and STV Edinburgh was on air from 2015 to 2018.

Museums, libraries, and galleries

Edinburgh has many museums and libraries, including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, National War Museum, the Museum of Edinburgh, Surgeons' Hall Museum, the Writers' Museum, the Museum of Childhood and Dynamic Earth. The Museum on The Mound displays items about money and banking. Edinburgh Zoo, on Corstorphine Hill, is Scotland's second most visited paid attraction. Edinburgh also has The Royal Yacht Britannia, which was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a visitor attraction at Ocean Terminal.

Scotland's three National Galleries of Art are in Edinburgh. The main collection is in the Scottish National Gallery on The Mound, which includes the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy building. Modern art is shown at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Belford. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street focuses on portraits and photographs. The city also has the City Art Centre and The Fruitmarket Gallery for contemporary art exhibitions.

Shopping

The main shopping area is around Princes Street, with many souvenir shops and chain stores like Boots the Chemist, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and H&M. George Street, north of Princes Street, has more expensive shops and independent stores. The St James Quarter opened in June 2021 at the east end of Princes Street. Next to the Balmoral Hotel and Waverley Station is Waverley Market. Multrees Walk is a shopping street with stores like Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Michael Kors.

Edinburgh also has large shopping areas outside the city centre, such as The Gyle Shopping Centre, Hermiston Gait, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, Straiton Retail Park, Fort Kinnaird and Ocean Terminal on the Leith waterfront.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Edinburgh and City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh is governed by the City of Edinburgh Council, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. The council has 63 elected councillors who help make decisions about housing, parks, and transport.

The city is also represented in the Scottish Parliament and the UK’s House of Commons. In the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh has six areas that each elect a Member of the Scottish Parliament, or MSP. In the UK Parliament, Edinburgh has five areas that each elect a Member of Parliament, or MP.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has many ways to get around, making it easy for people to travel. The city has an important airport called Edinburgh Airport. It is the busiest airport in Scotland and connects Edinburgh to many places around the world.

The city also has many bus services. Lothian Buses runs most of the buses within the city and to nearby towns. There are also special tour buses and night buses. Edinburgh has several train stations, with Edinburgh Waverley being the busiest. It is a major stop for trains coming from London and other parts of Scotland. There are also trams in Edinburgh. The tram system started in 2014 and runs from the airport to the city center. More tram lines are being planned for the future.

Education

Edinburgh has many schools and universities. There are nursery schools, primary schools, and secondary schools managed by the City of Edinburgh Council. One famous school is The Royal High School, which is one of the oldest schools in the country and the world. The city also has several independent, fee-paying schools such as Edinburgh Academy, Fettes College, and George Heriot's School.

Edinburgh is home to three universities: the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, and Edinburgh Napier University. The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's ancient universities. Heriot-Watt University is known for its international reach. Edinburgh Napier University became a university in 1992. These universities offer many opportunities for students to learn and grow.

Healthcare

Edinburgh has important hospitals that help care for people. The main hospitals include the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which works with the University of Edinburgh Medical School. The Western General Hospital has a center for treating cancer. There is also the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for mental health, and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, known as the Sick Kids, which looks after children’s health. There are also two private hospitals: Murrayfield Hospital and Shawfair Hospital, both owned by Spire Healthcare.

See also: List of hospitals in Edinburgh

Sport

Edinburgh has a rich sporting history with many teams and events. The city is home to four football clubs in the Scottish Professional Football League: Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Edinburgh City F.C., and Spartans. Hearts and Hibs are especially famous.

Rugby is also popular in Edinburgh. The Scotland national rugby union team and the professional Edinburgh Rugby team both play at Murrayfield Stadium. Edinburgh has hosted many important rugby matches.

Other sports in Edinburgh include cricket, ice hockey, basketball, and baseball. The city has also been a venue for major events such as the Commonwealth Games and hosts annual races like the Edinburgh Marathon.

People

Main article: List of people from Edinburgh

See also: List of University of Edinburgh people

Edinburgh has a rich history with books and stories. In 2004, it became the first UNESCO City of Literature. Famous writers from Edinburgh include Adam Smith, James Boswell, Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark, Irvine Welsh, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, and J. K. Rowling.

The city has also been home to important scientists and engineers. John Napier invented logarithms, and James Clerk Maxwell helped us understand electromagnetism. Edinburgh is also the birthplace of famous actors like Sean Connery and musicians including Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and Shirley Manson of Garbage.

International relations

The City of Edinburgh has made 14 international friends since 1954. Most of these are called Twin Cities. One agreement with Kraków is called a Partner City. Another with Kyoto Prefecture is called a Friendship Link.

In June 2024, plans for a friendship with Kaohsiung, Taiwan were stopped because of concerns about cyber attacks.