Edinburgh – most beautiful city of Scotland and its capital
Edinburgh is located in Scotland, and is actually the capital of Scotland. Scotland has many cities however, when it comes to population, Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland (just after Glasgow) and 7th largest in all of UK.
For those of you on the government side of things, Edinburgh is home to the seat of the Scottish Parliament and Government, making it one of the most influential cities in the country.
The council which is located in Edinburgh, also known as “City of Edinburgh Council” actually governs 32 local council areas of the state. This includes the urban part of the city as well as a large rural area of the city.
Areas of Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh is separated into a couple different areas (Old Town, New Town, Southside, and Leith).
As its name implies Old Town is the oldest part of the city and has preserved it’s old age and old décor. The castle closes off one end and has the “Royal Mile” leading away from it, which is basically a “Main Street” for the old town; it has many different shops and restaurants located on it.
As Edinburgh grew up Old Town became crowded so a solution was needed to control it. Hence, New Town was born. This part of the city became the gathering spot for the locals and sported newer décor and buildings.
Southside is the major residential part of the city, this is where most people live and relax. This area is also home to most all the schools and universities, including the popular University of Edinburgh as well as Napier University.
Leith can be thought of as the “Gateway” to Edinburgh. It contains the port and serves as a vessel into the city from the sea. Many large cruise liner companies have gained accessed to Edinburgh by setting up ports and stations in Leith.
Edinburgh has grown rapidly over the years; what started as just a small city in Scotland has grown to over 440,000 in the past years, a rapid development from it’s start.
If you are planning a visit to Scotland, Edinburgh has got to be one of the stops you make. There are tons of attractions and things to do in the city, and you will need several days if you plan on doing them all.
Top Attractions in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle
- St. Giles’ Cathedral
- The Royal Yacht Britannia
- Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- The Edinburgh Dungeon
- National Museum of Scotland
- Scottish National Gallery
These are some of the top attractions in Edinburgh, however, if you have the choice of when you go, make sure to go between July and September, as this is the biggest tourist time of the year because of what is known as “Edinburgh Festival”.
This is a series of random events that happen all over the city, these events are everything from plays, shows, comedy events, re-enactments and a lot more from some of the most famous producers and directors.
Edinburgh has got to be one of the most interesting places in the United Kingdom, as well as holds some of the best history of any place in the area.
