United Kingdom, Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland since the end of 15th century, Edinburgh is one of the UK's most visited cities; the city is home to about half a million people.  It is rightly considered as one of Europe's most stunning cities, with a fantastic natural setting, a fine history and an outstanding collection of buildings and monuments. Edinburgh boasts a number of exquisite parks and gardens with Holyrood Park being one of the largest natural parks in the city centre in Europe.

History

The origins of the city lie in the Bronze Age, when a small settlement was founded on the site of today's Castle. It was an unsettled and precarious time and so it is highly probable that the birth of Edinburgh was firmly founded in the need for defence.

The Old Town of Edinburgh has been at the heart of Scottish history for centuries. There was a fort on the Castle Rock in Iron Age times and by the 12th century Edinburgh had become a town and royal burgh. After David I founded the Abbey of the Holy Rude in the royal park Edinburgh developed down the long road between the Castle and Holyrood.

During the Wars of Independence Edinburgh Castle was captured by the English until Robert the Bruce's nephew, Thomas Randolph daringly recapture it by climbing its steep and craggy sides in the dead of night. Robert the Bruce granted Edinburgh a Royal Charter in 1329.

Everything changed after the Act of Union in 1707... Parliament ceased in Edinburgh, but the city prospered. The loch below the North side of the castle was filled in. New streets and and thousands of houses were planned and built in the Classical fashion.

Since the last war its prestige has risen not least because of the establishment of the Edinburgh Festival. In the 1960's he city was being torn down and rebuilt at an alarming rate , but fortunately the New Town Conservation Committee (formed in the 70's) put a stop to that. Buildings have been restored using traditional and sympathetic methods, and now the city looks as though it will remain as one of Europe's most beautiful and historically interesting living monuments.

Geography

Edinburgh is strategically situated inland from the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, an estuary of the North Sea on Scotland's east coast.
Location: south-east Scotland
Area: 260 square kilometres / 100 square miles.

Demographics

By the 18th century the population of Edinburgh had expanded to such an extent that the medieval Old Town could no longer contain the inhabitants. The result was a public competition for plans to development a New Town.

The 2001 UK census reported the population to be 448,624, making the city the seventh largest in the United Kingdom.

As of 2006, the General Register Office for Scotland estimated that the City of Edinburgh council area had a resident population of 463,510.

Economy

Edinburgh's economy is service based, with an emphasis on business, professional and financial services. A quarter of those employed in Edinburgh work in the 'banking and finance' sector and a further 20% work in distribution.

Edinburgh is the most important financial centre in the UK after London.

The economy of Edinburgh and its hinterland has recently been announced as one of the fastest growing city regions in Europe.

Culture

The capital is bustling with arts, culture, sports and attractions and is famous for playing host to the world’s largest arts festival.

The city's many museums, art galleries, concert halls and theatres provide a colourful array of arts and entertainment events to suit all tastes.

After dark Edinburgh has a lively nightlife with stylish bars and pubs, restaurants, clubs and live entertainment to rival any European city.

Edinburgh has a number of theatres, providing regular theatrical performances, dramas, operas, concerts and cabarets.

Sports

In Edinburgh many sporting facilities are available.

Edinburgh is a golfer's paradise and the city itself runs six golf courses. Edinburgh's leading football clubs are Hearts and Hibs.

The Edinburgh Capitals are the latest of a succession of ice hockey clubs to represent the Scottish capital. Previously Edinburgh was represented by the Murrayfield Racers and the Edinburgh Racers.

Transportation

The city of Edinburgh is well served by the public transport system, which includes an excellent network of buses and trains, providing Edinburgh with good connections throughout England.

Edinburgh International Airport is located just 8 miles west of the city center and is connected to the city by fast and frequent bus service.

Edinburgh's central railway station is Waverley station, located in the New Town area of Edinburgh.

Taxis in Edinburgh are mainly black hackney cabs. All the taxis are licensed and have meters.