EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and it is
located in central eastern Scotland, near the
Firth of Forth, close to the North Sea. Thanks
to its spectacular rocks, rustic buildings and
a huge collection of medieval and classic
architecture, including numerous stone
decorations, it is often considered one of the
most lively cities in Europe. Scottish people
called it Auld Reekie, Edina, Athens of the
North and Britain’s Other Eye.
Edinburgh and Culture
Edinburgh is a city of literature – it was the
first city to be called the UNESCO city of
Literature. Visit the National Library of
Scotland, the Museum of Writers, the Scottish
Center of Story Telling, the Library of Poetry
and many other libraries
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has changed its owners
many times; it was captured by the English
and Scottish,. When you arrive you must, visit
St. Margaret’s chapel – the oldest part in the
castles complex and it is likely the oldest
building that can be found in Edinburgh; it
was built presumably around 1130. in the
honour of queen Margaret who lived in the
11th century, and also boasts two beautiful
rustic chandeliers that date respectively from
1695 and 1735. Edinburgh Castle is one of the
attractions that you simply must see. It is the
most visited tourist attraction in Scotland .
St Giles’ Cathedral
The Royal Mile is the artery that
sustains all life in Edinburgh’s Old
Town, running downhill from
Edinburgh Castle to the Royal
Palace of Holyrood house. Sitting
midway is the Gothic St Giles’
Cathedral, a 900-year-old structure
dedicated to the city’s patron
saint. Don’t miss out on The Thistle
Chapel, with its intricate Neo-
Gothic woodwork and gold-leaf
ceiling.
National Monument of Scotland
The National Monument on top of Calton
Hill is known by many monikers:
Edinburgh’s Disgrace, Edinburgh’s Folly
and The Pride and Poverty of Scotland, to
name a few. The monument was funded
by public subscription, intended to be
Scotland’s tribute to the Scottish soldiers
and sailors who fought and perished in the
Napoleonic Wars. It was designed by
architectural heavyweight William Playfair
(who built the National Gallery of
Scotland and subsequent extensions to the
New Town), and modelled on the
Parthenon in Athens (which lends weight
to Edinburgh’s flattering sobriquet as the
Athens of the North). Money to complete
its construction infamously dried up just
three years after building work began in
1826, and while there have been several
proposed plans to finish it, all of them
came to nought.
Scottish Parliament
The seat of political power in Scotland
is admittedly not particularly old. In
fact, it is still in its relative infancy
compared to august neighbours like the
17th-century Palace of Holyrood house
and the National Monument. The
Scottish Parliament – whose complex
also incorporates the 17th-century
Queensferry House – is nonetheless a
historic landmark in the making after
self-governance returned to Scotland
under devolution in 1999. The first
debate in the new building took place
in 2004 after it was completed, nearly
300 years after the last Scottish
Parliament was dissolved
Bute House
Edinburgh is a city of two distinct halves:
the Medieval Old Town and the Georgian
New Town. Both UNESCO World Heritage
sites, the latter was initially mapped out
by city planner James Craig in the 1700s,
with architect Robert Adam designing
many of its most distinguished buildings.
And so he did with 6 Charlotte Square,
now the official residence of Scotland’s
first minister.
Usher Hall
The number of live-music venues in
Edinburgh has dwindled over the last
decade, but one that has survived the
test of time is the Usher Hall. Built in
the Beaux Arts style after a competition
was held in 1910, it was dedicated to
its benefactor, whisky distiller and
blender Andrew Usher, who gave
£100,000 to the city to build a music
hall for concerts and recitals. Usher
Hall is known for its outstanding
acoustics and unusual round walls and
dome.
Greyfriars Bobby
In the ultimate tale of canine fealty,
Greyfriars Bobby proved that dogs really
are a man’s best friend. Bobby famously
guarded his master’s grave in Greyfriars
Kirkyard for 14 years until his own death
in 1872. He too is buried in the
graveyard, not far from his reputed
owner, John Gray. The little skye terrier
is immortalised with a life-size statue
(which incidentally is the city’s smallest
listed building) he statue was originally
designed as a drinking fountain for both
dogs and humans, but today, it is one of
the city’s most popular landmarks, with
visitors frequently rubbing Bobby’s nose
for good luck – though this is discouraged,
as it is starting to lose its colour!
The Dean Village
Strolling the cobble setts of this
village within a city, you would
scarcely know you were right in
the centre of Edinburgh at all. The
Dean Village is something of a
green oasis, with the cascading
Water of Leith flowing through its
centre. The area is also home to
the towering Dean Bridge and the
Neoclassical Scottish National
Gallery of Modern Art.
THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
There will be over 3000 shows will
be staged with a total of 50,000
performances across 300 venues.
The population of Edinburgh
doubles in size during Fringe with
people travelling from far and wide
just to experience it. This festival
should be on everyone’s bucket list,
this year it kicks off on 3 August.
Altogether, Edinburgh's Festivals
generate over £260m for the
Scottish economy and create the
equivalent of 5,242 full-time jobs
each year.
10 Interesting Facts About Edinburgh
1. THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL IS THE LARGEST ARTS FESTIVAL IN
THE WORLD
2. THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES WERE FILMED IN EDINBURGH
3. OVER 75% OF THE CITY’S BUILDINGS ARE LISTED
4. THE WORLD’S ONE AND ONLY KNIGHTED PENGUIN LIVES AT EDINBURGH
ZOO
5. EDINBURGH WASN’T ALWAYS THE CAPITAL OF SCOTLAND
6. IT’S THE GREENEST CITY IN THE UK
7. A UNICORN IS THE NATIONAL ANIMAL OF SCOTLAND
8. EDINBURGH IS THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE FESTIVAL DESTINATION
9. THE CITY IS HOME TO 22ND BEST UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD
10. THE CASTLE WAS ONCE HOME TO AN ELEPHANT
Project by Maryan Lyubka
