History Edinburgh
Edinburgh City
Edinburgh History
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city and is the most important financial centre in Britain after London. It is also the centre of Scotlands Parliament.
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city like no other in the British Isles.
When you visit Edinburgh Castle, you can see why the early inhabitants of the area made their first settlements there. The volcanic rock at the base of the Castle has always afforded the ultimate defensive position in Edinburgh.
The City of Edinburgh grew out from this rock, and the first dwelling houses were built in front of Edinburgh Castle in an area now known as The Lawnmarket.
They then continued down the High Street and The Cannongate towards the Royal Palace of Holyrood House. These streets form a single street known as The Royal Mile - a name acquired since kings and queens in past times had to travel this route to get between the Palace of Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle.
With a buzzing cultural life, especially in August when various arts festivals take place in the city, Edinburgh is also home to four universities, the Museum of Scotland and five theatres.
Try to visit during Festival Fever (August-September) or for the Hogmanay Festival at New Year.
If you're a fan of Rabbie Burns, (Robbie Burns) you may want to be in Scotland in January to celebrate Burns night.