The A to Z of Edinburgh
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Edinburgh
By Andrew Kelly
Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1437 and it's 2nd largest city (Glasgow is larger).
Situated on the Firth of Forth, on the East Coast of Scotland, Edinburgh is, without doubt, one of the world's most beautiful cities. and has justly been described as the "Athens of the North".
The city is perceived as a romantic and cultural city. Maybe this is due to it being a cosmopolitan city with a wide variety of museums, art galleries, theatres, shops and restaurants. The perception is worldwide and Edinburgh is now the world's first Unesco City of Literature.
Edinburgh has a population of about 500000 with around 100000 students. So it will be of no surprise to hear that Edinburgh is one of the UK's liveliest cities and especially during it's many events, festivals and sporting events, that continue throughout the year. One of the most popular events is The Edinburgh Festival Fringe which is the largest arts festival in the world and has been running since 1947. In 2006 it offered over 28000 performances in 261 venues throughout the historic city of Edinburgh.
One of the most striking points I find about the city is that, even though it is extremely busy, it's people are extremely friendly and helpful. This is really handy as the city is pretty compact and, while it is easy to get about on foot, it is can be difficult to find exactly what you are looking for. If you are looking for something in particular what better way to find it than to ask a local.
While Edinburgh is the place to go for a wild time it is also, the perfect place to enjoy a Scottish romantic hotel break, family vacation or base for a broader tour of Scotland. You will find plenty of spectacular buildings such as the 400 year old University, the Royal Observatory, The Museum of Edinburgh which is housed in the 16th century Huntly House and, of course, it's biggest attraction Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Parliament (re-established 1999), centre of the Scottish legal system, financial system and administration. The architecture of the city is spectacular. It is a city of two distinct halves - the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town.
The climate in Edinburgh is most pleasant from May to September, but whenever you go, you're likely to see both sun and rain. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh you will find many sites offering hotel listings in an easy to use manner. There are many forms of accommodation available but, if you plan to visit during one of the festivals or for the New Year Hogmanay celebrations, you should be aware that most places are fully booked well in advance (sometimes years). You may be lucky enough to find a small bed and breakfast/guest house on the outskirts of the city but you really need to make enquiries as early as possible.
If you are lucky enough to be able to have a vacation in Edinburgh I hope it wets your appetite for all things Scottish and I am sure that you will soon be planning a return trip.
Author Details:
Andrew Kelly, copywriter for various web sites including, The A to Z of Edinburgh, part of an ambitious project to cover various subjects. Living in Scotland he enjoys writing for local sites which includes Virtual Scotland a growing resource.
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