View source for Edinburgh

{{short description|Capital city of Scotland}}
{{about|the capital of Scotland}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2026}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Edinburgh
| native_name             = {{native name|gd|Dùn Èideann}}
| type                    = [[Capital city]], [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy]] and [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|council area]]
| image                   = {{multiple image |border = infobox |total_width = 280 |image_style = border:1; |perrow = 1/3/3/2
 | image1   = Skyline of Edinburgh.jpg
 | caption1 = Skyline of Central Edinburgh, with the [[Dugald Stewart Monument]] (forefront) and [[Edinburgh Castle]] (background)
 | image2   = Schottland-Edinburgh-Sir Walter Scott Monument.JPG
 | caption2 = [[Scott Monument]]
 | image3   = Scottish Parliament 1 (4531374464).jpg
 | caption3 = [[Scottish Parliament Building]]
 | image4   = National monument Edinburgh.jpg
 | caption4 = [[National Monument of Scotland]]
 | image5   = Edinburgh , St Giles' Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 6656568.jpg
 | caption5 = [[St Giles' Cathedral]]
 | image6   = Arthur's Seat from Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh - geograph.org.uk - 5453114.jpg
 | caption6 = [[Arthur's Seat]]
 | image7   = Entrance to Holyrood Palace (geograph 2168252).jpg
 | caption7 = [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]]
 | image8   = Edinburgh Castle from the North.JPG
 | caption8 = [[Edinburgh Castle]]
 | image9   = Edinburgh - Royal Scottish Academy Building - 20140421192731.jpg
 | caption9 = [[Royal Scottish Academy Building]]
 }}
| image_size              = 
| alt                     = 
| caption                 = 
| image_flag              = Flag of Edinburgh.svg
| flag_alt                = 
| flag_link               = 
| image_shield            = Coat of Arms of the Edinburgh City Council.svg
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = Coat of arms of Edinburgh
| image_blank_emblem      = 
| blank_emblem_size       = 
| blank_emblem_type       = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
| etymology               = 
| nickname                = {{cslist |Auld Reekie |Edina |Athens of the North}}
| motto                   = {{force singular}} {{langx |la |[[Psalm 127|Nisi Dominus Frustra]] |translation=Unless the Lord, in vain}}
| image_map               = Edinburgh UK location map.svg
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Edinburgh City shown within [[Scotland]]
| pushpin_map             = Scotland#UK
| pushpin_caption         = Location within Scotland##Location within the United Kingdom
| pushpin_relief          = yes
| coordinates             = {{coord|55|57|12|N|3|11|21|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Scotland]]
| subdivision_type2       = 
| subdivision_name2       = 
| established_title       = Founded
| established_date        = Before 7th century AD
| established_title1      = [[Scottish burgh|Burgh charter]]
| established_date1       = 1124
| established_title2      = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City status]]
| established_date2       = 1633
| established_title3      = Unitary authority
| established_date3       = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
| named_for               = 
| seat_type               = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
| seat                    = [[Edinburgh City Chambers]]
| parts_type              = 
| parts                   = 
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/council-democracy |title=Council and Committees |website=The City of Edinburgh Council |access-date=22 December 2024 }}</ref>
| government_type         = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
| governing_body          = {{nowrap|[[City of Edinburgh Council|The City of Edinburgh Council]]}}
| leader_title            = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name             = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000036}}
| leader_title1           = 
| leader_name1            = 
| leader_title2           = 
| leader_name2            = 
| leader_title3           = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name3            = {{Collapsible list |title=5 MPs
 |[[Scott Arthur]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Lab]])
 |[[Tracy Gilbert]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Lab]])
 |[[Ian Murray (Scottish politician)|Ian Murray]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Lab]])
 |[[Chris Murray (politician)|Chris Murray]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Lab]])
 |[[Christine Jardine]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|LibDem]])
 }}
| leader_title4           = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
| leader_name4            = {{Collapsible list |title=6 MSPs
 |[[Ash Regan]] ([[Independent politician|Independent]])
 |[[Angus Robertson]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Daniel Johnson (Scottish politician)|Daniel Johnson]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Lab]])
 |[[Gordon MacDonald (Scottish politician)|Gordon MacDonald]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Ben Macpherson (politician)|Ben Macpherson]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Alex Cole-Hamilton]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|LibDem]])
 }}
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation }}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000036}}
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| area_rank               = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000036}}]]
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="popstats" />
| population_as_of        = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
| population_total        = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000036}}
| population_rank         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000036}}]]
| population_density_km2  = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000036}}
| population_demonym      = Edinburgher
| demographics_type1      = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1    = 
| demographics1_info1     = 
| demographics_type2      = 
| demographics2_footnotes = 
| demographics2_title1    = 
| demographics2_info1     = 
| time_zone1              = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1             = +0
| time_zone1_DST          = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +1
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code             = [[EH postcode area|EH]]1–17, EH28–30
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code               = 0131
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-EDH]]
| custom_label1_sec1      = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| custom_data1_sec1       = S12000036
| website                 = {{URL|https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk}}
| module                  = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
 |child         = yes
 |official_name = Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
 |ID            = 728
 |criteria      = Cultural: ii, iv
 |year          = 1995
}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
 |child         = yes
 |official_name = The Forth Bridge
 |ID            = 1485
 |criteria      = Cultural: i, iv
 |year          = 2015
}}
}}
'''Edinburgh'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=edinburgh.ogg|ˈ|ɛ|d|ɪ|n|b|ər|ə}} {{respell|ED|in|bər|ə}};<ref>{{Cite web |year=2013 |title=Definition of '''Edinburgh''' in Oxford dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation and origin of the word |url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Edinburgh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113182619/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Edinburgh |archive-date=13 January 2014 |access-date=12 January 2014 |website=Oxford Dictionaries |publisher=Oxford University Press }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=edinburgh – Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes |url=http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195733/http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/edinburgh |archive-date=22 September 2017 |access-date=22 September 2017 |website=Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=the definition of Edinburgh |url=http://www.dictionary.com/browse/edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005093008/http://www.dictionary.com/browse/edinburgh |archive-date=5 October 2017 |access-date=22 September 2017 |website=Dictionary.com }}</ref> {{IPA|sco|ˈɛdɪnbʌrə|lang}}; {{langx|gd|Dùn Èideann}} {{IPA|gd|t̪un ˈeːtʲən̪ˠ|}}<!-- Do not change this to t̪uːn, place names undergo stress shift and the uː shortens to u -->}} is the [[capital city]] of [[Scotland]] and one of its 32 [[Council areas of Scotland|council areas]]. It is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the [[Firth of Forth]] and to the south by the [[Pentland Hills]]. Edinburgh had a population of{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Edinburgh}} in {{Scottish settlement population citation|year}},<ref name="NRS Locality Estimate">{{Scottish settlement population citation }}</ref> making it the [[List of towns and cities in Scotland by population|second-most-populous]] city in Scotland (behind [[Glasgow]]) and the [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|seventh-most-populous]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. The [[Functional urban area|wider metropolitan area]] had a population of 912,490 in the same year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population by age and sex - Cities and FUAs |url=https://data-explorer.oecd.org/vis?lc=en&df[ds]=dsDisseminateFinalDMZ&df[id]=DSD_FUA_DEMO%40DF_AGE_SEX&df[ag]=OECD.CFE.EDS&fs[0]=Topic%2C1%7CRegions&pg=0&fc=Topic&bp=true&snb=17&pd=%2C&dq=UK001F%2BUK002F%2BUK003F%2BUK004F%2BUK006F%2BUK007F%2BUK008F%2BUK009F%2BUK010F%2BUK011F%2BUK012F%2BUK013F%2BUK014F%2BUK016F%2BUK017F%2BUK018F%2BUK019F%2BUK021F%2BUK022F%2BUK023F%2BUK024F%2BUK025F%2BUK026F%2BUK027F%2BUK029F%2BUK031F%2BUK033F%2BUK034F%2BUK041F%2BUK043F%2BUK044F%2BUK045F%2BUK046F%2BUK047F%2BUK050F%2BUK051F%2BUK055F%2BUK056F%2BUK059F%2BUK062F%2BUK506F%2BUK510F%2BUK513F%2BUK515F%2BUK516F%2BUK517F%2BUK518F%2BUK520F%2BUK525F%2BUK528F%2BUK531F%2BUK532F%2BUK533F%2BUK535F%2BUK539F%2BUK542F%2BUK543F%2BUK545F%2BUK546F%2BUK548F%2BUK549F%2BUK550F%2BUK551F%2BUK552F%2BUK553F%2BUK554F%2BUK556F%2BUK557F%2BUK558F%2BUK559F%2BUK560F%2BUK561F%2BUK562F%2BUK566F%2BUK567F%2BUK568F%2BUK569F%2BUK571F%2BUK572F%2BUK573F%2BUK575F%2BUK576F%2BUK580F%2BUK582F%2BUK583F%2BUK586F%2BGBR.A..._T...CTRY%2BFUA&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&lo=5&lom=LASTNPERIODS&vw=tb&ly[rw]=REF_AREA%2CTERRITORIAL_LEVEL&ly[cl]=TIME_PERIOD |website=OECD Data Explorer |publisher=OECD }}</ref>

Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the [[Scottish Government]], the [[Scottish Parliament]], the [[Courts of Scotland|highest courts in Scotland]], and the [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]], the [[official residence]] of the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]] in Scotland. It is also the annual venue of the [[General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]]. The city has long been a centre of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, [[Scots law|Scottish law]], [[Scottish literature|literature]], [[Scottish philosophy|philosophy]], the sciences and engineering. The [[University of Edinburgh]] was founded in 1582 and is now one of four universities in the city. The [[financial centre]] of Scotland, Edinburgh was ranked as the second-largest financial centre in the United Kingdom, the fourth-largest in Europe, and the thirteenth-largest in the world in the [[Global Financial Centres Index]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scottishfinancialreview.com/2020/09/25/edinburgh-4th-in-europe-in-new-financial-centres-index/ |title=Edinburgh 4th In Europe In New Financial Centres Index |work=Scottish Financial Review |date=25 September 2020 |access-date=24 December 2023 }}</ref>

The city is a cultural centre, and is the home of institutions including the [[National Museum of Scotland]], the [[National Library of Scotland]], and the [[Scottish National Gallery]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top global universities |website=Topuniversities.com |access-date=25 June 2022 }}</ref> The city is also known for the [[Edinburgh International Festival]] and [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|the Fringe]], the latter being the world's largest annual international arts festival. Historic sites in Edinburgh include [[Edinburgh Castle]], the Palace of Holyroodhouse, [[St Giles' Cathedral]], [[Greyfriars Kirk]], [[Canongate Kirk]] and the extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th and 19th centuries. The [[Old Town, Edinburgh|Old Town]] and the [[New Town, Edinburgh|New Town]] are together listed as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]],<ref name="www.edinburgh.org world-heritage-site">{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh-World Heritage Site |url=http://www.edinburgh.org/about/about-edinburgh/world-heritage-site |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222081642/http://www.edinburgh.org/about/about-edinburgh/world-heritage-site |archive-date=22 February 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=[[VisitScotland]] }}</ref> and the site has been managed by [[Edinburgh World Heritage]] since 1999. The city's historical and cultural attractions have made it Britain's second-most-visited tourist destination, attracting 5.3 million visits, including 2.4 million from overseas, in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh and the Lothians - Research I VisitScotland.org |url=http://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/regions/edinburgh-lothians |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=www.visitscotland.org |language=en }}</ref>

Edinburgh is governed by the [[City of Edinburgh Council]], a unitary authority. The City of Edinburgh council area had an estimated population of {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000036}} in {{UK subdivision statistics year}},<ref name="popstats" /> and includes outlying towns and villages. The city is in the [[Lothian]] region and was historically part of the [[Shires of Scotland|shire]] of [[Midlothian]] (also called Edinburghshire).

==Etymology==
{{main|Etymology of Edinburgh}}
"Edin", the root of the city's name, derives from ''{{Lang|xcb|[[Eidyn]]}}'', the name for the region in [[Cumbric]], the [[Brittonic languages|Brittonic]] [[Celtic languages|Celtic]] language formerly spoken there. The name's meaning is unknown.<ref name="Gelling">{{Cite book |last1=Gelling |first1=Margaret |title=The Names of Towns and Cities in Britain |last2=Nicolaisen |first2=W. F. H. |last3=Richards |first3=Melville |date=1970 |publisher=Batsford |isbn=978-0-7134-5235-8 |pages=88–89 |author-link=Margaret Gelling |author-link2=W. F. H. Nicolaisen }}</ref> The district of Eidyn was centred on the stronghold of Din Eidyn, the [[dun (fortification)|dun]] or [[hillfort]] of Eidyn.<ref name=Gelling/> This stronghold is believed to have been located at [[Castle Rock, Edinburgh|Castle Rock]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Andrew |title=Lothian and Borders Geoconservation Leaflets on Geology - Around Castle Rock |url=https://geoguide.scottishgeologytrust.org/p/labgc/egs_leaflet_castlerock/egs_leaflet_castlerock |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Edinburgh Geological Society |publisher=Lothian and Borders GeoConservation |language=en-GB |type=Educational Leaflet |publication-date=2018 |archive-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117211137/https://geoguide.scottishgeologytrust.org/p/labgc/egs_leaflet_castlerock/egs_leaflet_castlerock |url-status=dead }}</ref> now the site of [[Edinburgh Castle]]. A siege of Din Eidyn by [[Oswald of Northumbria|Oswald]], king of the [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]] of [[Northumbria]] in 638 marked the beginning of three centuries of Germanic influence in south east Scotland that laid the foundations for the development of [[Scots language|Scots]], before the town was ultimately subsumed in 954 by the kingdom known to the English as Scotland.<ref name="Driscoll229">{{Cite book |last1=Driscoll |first1=Stephen |title=Excavations within Edinburgh Castle in 1988–91 |last2=Yeoman |first2=Peter A. |date=1997 |publisher=[[Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]] |isbn=978-0-903-903127 |series=Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series |volume=12 |page=229 }}</ref> As the language shifted from Cumbric to [[Northumbrian Old English]] and then [[Scots language|Scots]], the Brittonic ''din'' in Din Eidyn was replaced by ''[[burh]]'', producing ''Edinburgh''. In [[Scottish Gaelic]] ''din'' becomes ''dùn'', producing modern ''Dùn Èideann''.<ref name=Gelling/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Room |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C |title=Placenames of the World |publisher=McFarland |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7864-2248-7 |pages=118–119 |access-date=12 August 2011 }}</ref>

==Nicknames==

The city is nicknamed '''''Auld Reekie''''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary of the Scots Language:: SND:: Auld adj. |url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/auld |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202622/http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/auld |archive-date=10 December 2018 |access-date=10 December 2018 |website=www.dsl.ac.uk }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary of the Scots Language:: SND:: Reek n.1, v. |url=http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/reek_n1_v |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202644/http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/reek_n1_v |archive-date=10 December 2018 |access-date=10 December 2018 |website=www.dsl.ac.uk }}</ref> Scots for ''Old Smoky'', for the views from the country of the smoke-covered Old Town. A note in a collection of the works of the poet [[Allan Ramsay (poet)|Allan Ramsay]] explains, "Auld Reeky...A name the country people give Edinburgh, from the cloud of smoke or reek that is always impending over it."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramsay |first1=Allan |author-link=Allan Ramsay (poet) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmQt4-11wxEC |title=The Poetical works of Allan Ramsay |volume=III |year=1819 |page=86 |access-date=26 April 2024 }}</ref> In [[Walter Scott]]'s 1820 novel ''[[The Abbot]]'', a character observes that "yonder stands Auld Reekie—you may see the smoke hover over her at twenty miles' distance".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Walter |title=The Abbot |title-link=The Abbot |date=1821 |publisher=Hickman and Hazzard |location=Philadelphia |author-link=Walter Scott }}</ref> [[Thomas Carlyle]] comments on the phenomenon: "Smoke cloud hangs over old Edinburgh, for, ever since [[Pope Pius II|Aeneas Silvius]]'s time and earlier, the people have the art, very strange to Aeneas, of burning a certain sort of black stones, and Edinburgh with its chimneys is called 'Auld Reekie' by the country people".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carlyle |first=Thomas |url=https://archive.org/stream/historicalsketc00carlgoog#page/n322/mode/2up |title=Historical Sketches.... |publisher=Chapman and Hall |year=1898 |pages=304–305 |author-link=Thomas Carlyle |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305081942/http://www.archive.org/stream/historicalsketc00carlgoog#page/n322/mode/2up |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 19th-century historian [[Robert Chambers (publisher born 1802)|Robert Chambers]] asserted that the [[sobriquet]] could not be traced before the reign of [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] in the late 17th century. He attributed the name to a [[Fife]] laird, Durham of Largo, who regulated the bedtime of his children by the smoke rising above Edinburgh from the fires of the tenements. "It's time now bairns, to tak' the beuks, and gang to our beds, for yonder's Auld Reekie, I see, putting on her nicht-cap!".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chambers |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/stream/traditionsofedin00cham#page/168/mode/2up |title=Traditions of Edinburgh |publisher=W. & R. Chambers |year=1868 |location=Edinburgh and London |page=168 |author-link=Robert Chambers (publisher born 1802) |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306195057/http://www.archive.org/stream/traditionsofedin00cham#page/168/mode/2up |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Edinburgh has been popularly called the ''Athens of the North'' since the early 19th century.<ref name="Lowrey">{{Cite journal |last=Lowrey |first=John |date=2001 |title=From Caesarea to Athens: Greek Revival Edinburgh and the Question of Scottish Identity within the Unionist State |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/991701 |journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=136–157 |doi=10.2307/991701 |jstor=991701 |issn=0037-9808 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> References to [[Athens]], such as ''Athens of Britain'' and ''Modern Athens'', had been made as early as the 1760s. The similarities were seen to be topographical but also intellectual. Edinburgh's Castle Rock reminded returning [[Grand Tour|grand tourists]] of the [[Athens|Athenian]] [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]], as did aspects of the [[neoclassical architecture]] and layout of [[New Town, Edinburgh|New Town]].<ref name="Lowrey" /> In 1818, naturalist [[Edward Daniel Clarke]] called Edinburgh "a very correct model of a Grecian city", pointing out perceived similarities between both cities and their [[port]]s (respectively, [[Leith]] and [[Piraeus]]).<ref name="Lowrey" /> Intellectually, the [[Scottish Enlightenment]], with its [[Humanism|humanist]] and [[Rationalism|rationalist]] outlook, was influenced by [[Ancient Greek philosophy]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Thomson |first=Herbert F. |chapter=The Scottish Enlightenment and Political Economy |date=1987 |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3255-5_14 |title=Pre-Classical Economic Thought |pages=221–255 |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |doi=10.1007/978-94-009-3255-5_14 |isbn=978-94-010-7960-0 |access-date=29 May 2021 |chapter-url-access=subscription }}</ref> In 1822 the Scottish landscape painter [[Hugh William Williams]] organised an exhibition that showed his paintings of Athens alongside views of Edinburgh, and the idea of a direct parallel between both cities quickly caught the popular imagination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens Of The North |url=https://ewh.org.uk/trails/athens-of-the-north/ |access-date=29 May 2021 |website=Edinburgh World Heritage |date=24 November 2017 }}</ref> When plans were drawn up in the early 19th century to architecturally develop [[Calton Hill]], the design of the [[National Monument of Scotland|National Monument]] directly copied Athens' [[Parthenon]].<ref name="McKee">{{Cite journal |last=McKee |first=Kirsten Carter |date=2015 |title=The Genius Loci of the Athens of the North: The Cultural Significance of Edinburgh's Calton Hill |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26589592 |journal=Garden History |volume=43 |pages=64–69 |jstor=26589592 |issn=0307-1243 }}</ref> [[Tom Stoppard]]'s character Archie of ''[[Jumpers (play)|Jumpers]]'' said, perhaps playing on [[Reykjavík]] meaning "smoky bay", that the "Reykjavík of the South" would be more appropriate.<ref>Stoppard, Tom. ''Jumpers'', Grove Press, 1972, p. 69.</ref>

The city has also been known by several [[List of Latin place names in Britain#Cities and towns in Scotland|Latin names]], such as ''Edinburgum'', while the adjectival forms ''Edinburgensis'' and ''Edinensis'' are used in educational and scientific contexts.<ref name="Grässe1909">{{Cite book |last=Grässe |first=Johann Georg Theodor |title=Orbis latinus: oder Verzeichnis der wichtigsten lateinischen Orts- und Ländernamen |title-link=Orbis Latinus |publisher=Richard Carl Schmidt |year=1909 |edition=2nd |location=Berlin |language=de |trans-title=Orbis latinus: or List of the most important latin place and country names |author-link=Johann Georg Theodor Grässe |orig-year=1861 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pharmaceutical Latin Abbreviations |url=http://www.herbdatanz.com/pharmaceutical_latin_abbreviations.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505111506/http://www.herbdatanz.com/pharmaceutical_latin_abbreviations.htm |archive-date=5 May 2006 |access-date=8 July 2009 |publisher=Herbdatanz.com }}</ref>

''Edina'' is a late 18th-century poetical form used by the Scottish poets [[Robert Fergusson]] and [[Robert Burns]]. "Embra" or "Embro" are colloquialisms from the same time,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Embro, Embro – the hidden history of Edinburgh in its music |url=http://www.campin.me.uk/Embro/Webrelease/Embro/Embro.htm |access-date=10 April 2022 }}</ref> as in [[Robert Garioch]]'s ''Embro to the Ploy''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Makars Literary Tour &#124; Robert Garioch |url=http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/makars/garioch/embro.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703111205/http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/makars/garioch/embro.html |archive-date=3 July 2009 |access-date=8 July 2009 |publisher=Edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk }}</ref>

[[Ben Jonson]] described it as "Britaine's other eye",<ref>[http://cco.cambridge.org/extract?id=ccol0521641136_CCOL0521641136A003 The Cambridge Companion to Ben Jonson] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817133048/http://cco.cambridge.org/extract?id=ccol0521641136_CCOL0521641136A003 |date=17 August 2011 }}. Retrieved 17 April 2007.</ref> and Sir Walter Scott referred to it as "yon Empress of the North".<ref>[http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/w-scott/marmion.pdf Marmion A Tale of Flodden Field by Walter Scott] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926125350/http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/w-scott/marmion.pdf |date=26 September 2007 }}. Retrieved 17 April 2007.</ref> [[Robert Louis Stevenson]], also a son of the city, wrote that Edinburgh "is what Paris ought to be".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stevenson |first=Robert Louis |date=1903 |title=Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/382 |access-date=3 December 2019 |publisher=Project Gutenberg }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Edinburgh}}

===Early history===
[[File:Surgeons' Hall, Nicholson Street - geograph.org.uk - 3529543.jpg|thumb|left|[[Surgeons' Hall]], one of the [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]] buildings that earned Edinburgh the nickname "Athens of the North"]]

The earliest known human habitation in the Edinburgh area was at [[Cramond]], where evidence was found of a [[Mesolithic]] camp site dated to c. 8500 BC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earliest evidence found of settlers in Scotland: hazelnuts and stone tools excavated near Edinburgh date to around 8500 BC |url=http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba60/news.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102050435/http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba60/news.shtml |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=31 October 2013 }}</ref> Traces of later [[Bronze Age]] and [[Iron Age]] settlements have been found on Castle Rock, [[Arthur's Seat]], [[Craiglockhart Hill]], and the [[Pentland Hills]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Coghill |first=Hamish |title=Lost Edinburgh |publisher=Birlinn Ltd |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84158-747-9 |pages=1–2 }}</ref>

When the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] arrived in Lothian at the end of the 1st century AD, they found a [[Celtic Britons|Brittonic]] Celtic tribe whose name they recorded as the [[Votadini]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ritchie |first=J. N. G. and A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1z4rAQAACAAJ |title=Edinburgh and South-East Scotland |publisher=Heinemann |year=1972 |isbn=978-0-435-32971-6 |page=51 |access-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101001136/https://books.google.com/books?id=1z4rAQAACAAJ&dq |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Votadini transitioned into the [[Gododdin]] kingdom in the [[Early Middle Ages]], with Eidyn serving as one of the kingdom's districts. During this period, the Castle Rock site, thought to have been the stronghold of Din Eidyn, emerged as the kingdom's major centre.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Driscoll |first1=Stephen |title=Excavations within Edinburgh Castle in 1988–91 |last2=Yeoman |first2=Peter A. |date=1997 |publisher=[[Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]] |isbn=978-0-903-903127 |series=Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series |volume=12 |page=227 }}</ref> The medieval [[Welsh language|Welsh-language]] poem ''[[Y Gododdin]]'' describes a war band from across the Brittonic world who gathered in Eidyn before a fateful raid; this may describe a historical event around 600AD.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Ifor |title=The Beginnings of Welsh Poetry: Studies |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=1972 |isbn=978-0-7083-0035-0 |page=47 |author-link=Ifor Williams }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chadwick |first=Nora K. |title=The British Heroic Age: the Welsh and the Men of the North |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=1968 |isbn=978-0-7083-0465-5 |page=107 |author-link=Nora K. Chadwick }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dumville |first=David |date=1995 |title=The eastern terminus of the Antonine wall: 12th- or 13th-century evidence |journal=[[Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland]] |volume=124 |pages=293–98 |doi=10.9750/PSAS.124.293.298 |issn=0081-1564 }}</ref>

In 638 the Gododdin stronghold was besieged by forces loyal to [[Oswald of Northumbria|King Oswald]] of [[Northumbria]], and around this time, control of Lothian passed to the [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]]. Their influence continued for the next three centuries until around 950, when, during the reign of [[Indulf]], son of [[Constantine II of Scotland|Constantine II]], the "burh" (fortress), named in the 10th-century ''[[Pictish Chronicle]]'' as ''oppidum Eden'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Watson |first=William |title=The Celtic Place Names of Scotland |year=1926 |isbn=978-1-906566-35-7 |page=340 |publisher=Birlinn }}</ref> was abandoned to the Scots. It thenceforth remained, for the most part, under their jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lynch |first=Michael |title=The Oxford Companion to Scottish History |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-923482-0 |page=658 }}</ref>

The [[royal burgh]] was founded by [[David I of Scotland|King David I]] in the early 12th century on land belonging to the Crown, though the date of its charter is unknown.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Daiches |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/edinburgh00davi |title=Edinburgh |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |year=1978 |isbn=978-0-241-89878-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/edinburgh00davi/page/15 15] |author-link=David Daiches |access-date=6 November 2015 |url-access=registration }}</ref> The first documentary evidence of the medieval [[burgh]] is a [[royal charter]], {{circa|1124–1127}}, by King David I granting a [[burgage|toft]] in {{lang|la|burgo meo de Edenesburg}} to the [[Dunfermline Abbey|Priory of Dunfermline]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barrow |first=Geoffrey |title=The Charters of King David I: The Written Acts of David I King of Scots ... |year=1999 |isbn=978-0851157313 |page=63 |publisher=Boydell Press }}</ref> The [[shires of Scotland|shire]] of Edinburgh seems also to have been created during David's reign, possibly covering all of Lothian at first, but by 1305 the eastern and western parts of Lothian had become [[East Lothian|Haddingtonshire]] and [[West Lothian|Linlithgowshire]], leaving Edinburgh as the county town of a shire covering the central part of Lothian, which was called Edinburghshire or [[Midlothian]] (the latter name being an informal, but commonly used, alternative until the county's name was legally changed in 1947).<ref name=Chalmers>{{cite book |last1=Chalmers |first1=George |title=Caledonia |date=1889 |publisher=Alexander Gardner |location=Paisley |page=579 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hywv0eVoI-8C&pg=PA579 |access-date=24 December 2022 |chapter=Edinburghshire: Of its establishment as a shire }}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 |year=1947 |chapter=43 |section=127 |access-date=24 December 2022 }}</ref>

During the 12th century, human pressures on woodland resources left the land surrounding Edinburgh almost treeless, and the burgh had to resort to [[peat]] for fuel.<ref>[[Richard Oram|Oram, Richard D.]] (2025), ''A Land Won from Waste: Scotland 400 - 1400'', [[John Donald Publishers|John Donald]], Edinburgh, pp. 244 - 249, {{isbn|9780859767194}}</ref>

[[File:Sunshine on the Crags (28877122034).jpg|thumb|right|Edinburgh, showing Arthur's Seat, one of the earliest known sites of human habitation in the area]]

Edinburgh was largely under English control from 1291 to 1314 and from 1333 to 1341, during the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]]. When the [[English invasion of Scotland (1298)|English invaded Scotland in 1298]], [[Edward I of England]] chose not to enter Edinburgh but passed by it with his army.<ref>{{cite book |last=Prestwich |first=Michael |date=1988 |title=Edward I |publisher=University of California Press |page=479 |isbn=9780520062665 }}</ref>

In the middle of the 14th century the French chronicler [[Jean Froissart]] described it as the capital of Scotland (c. 1365), and [[James III of Scotland|James III]] (1451–1488) referred to it in the 15th century as "the principal burgh of our kingdom".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickinson |first=W C |title=Scotland, From The Earliest Times To 1603 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |year=1961 |location=Edinburgh |page=119 }}</ref> In 1482 James III "granted and perpetually confirmed to the said Provost, Bailies, Clerk, Council, and Community, and their successors, the office of [[Sheriff principal|Sheriff]] within the Burgh for ever, to be exercised by the Provost for the time as Sheriff, and by the Bailies for the time as Sheriffsdepute conjunctly and severally; with full power to hold Courts, to punish transgressors not only by banishment but by death, to appoint officers of Court, and to do everything else appertaining to the office of Sheriff; as also to apply to their own proper use the fines and escheats arising out of the exercise of the said office."<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Marwick |editor1-first=J. D. |title=Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Edinburgh, 1403–1528 |date=1869 |publisher=Scottish Burgh Records Society |location=Edinburgh |pages=314–339 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/edinburgh-burgh-records/1403-1528/pp314-339 |access-date=26 December 2022 |chapter=Appendix: Abstracts of charters and other documents }}</ref> Despite being [[Burning of Edinburgh (1544)|burnt by the English]] in 1544, Edinburgh continued to develop and grow,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickinson |first=W C |title=Scotland, From The Earliest Times To 1603 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |year=1961 |location=Edinburgh |pages=236–8 }}</ref> and was at the centre of events in the 16th-century [[Scottish Reformation]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Donaldson |first=Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gg9AAAAIAAJ |title=The Scottish Reformation |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1960 |isbn=978-0-521-08675-2 |page=53 }}</ref> and 17th-century [[Covenanter|Wars of the Covenant]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association |url=http://www.covenanter.org.uk/Greyfriars/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513123235/http://www.covenanter.org.uk/Greyfriars/ |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=covenanter.org }}</ref> In 1582 Edinburgh's town council was given a [[royal charter]] by [[James VI and I|King James VI and I]] permitting the establishment of a university;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charter by King James VI, 14 April 1582 |url=http://ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/Charter_by_King_James_VI,_14_April_1582 |access-date=15 August 2021 |website=University of Edinburgh – Our History }}</ref> founded as ''Tounis College'' (Town's College), the institution developed into the [[University of Edinburgh]], which contributed to Edinburgh's central intellectual role in subsequent centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grant |first=Alexander |title=The Story of the University of Edinburgh during Its First Three Hundred Years |publisher=Longmans, Green |year=1884 |location=London }}</ref>

===17th century===
[[File:Edinburgh in the 17thC (detail) by Wenceslas Hollar (1670).jpg|thumb|left|Edinburgh in the 17th century]]

In 1603 [[James VI and I|King James VI of Scotland]] succeeded to the English throne, uniting the crowns of Scotland and England, an event known as the [[Union of the Crowns]], though the two kingdoms remained separate realms governed in [[personal union]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Donaldson |first=Gordon |title=Scottish Kings |publisher=Batsford |year=1967 |page=213 }}</ref> In 1638 [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]]'s attempt to introduce [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]] church forms in Scotland encountered stiff [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] opposition, culminating in the conflicts of the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Newman |first=P R |url=https://archive.org/details/companiontoengli0000newm/page/13 |title=Companion to the English Civil Wars |publisher=Facts on File Ltd |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-8160-2237-3 |location=Oxford |page=[https://archive.org/details/companiontoengli0000newm/page/13 13] }}</ref> Subsequent Scottish support for [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]'s restoration to the throne of England resulted in Edinburgh's occupation by [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s [[Commonwealth of England]] forces – the [[New Model Army]] – in 1650.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stephen C. Manganiello |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=an-eXXA3DBMC |title=The Concise Encyclopedia of the Revolutions and Wars of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1639–1660 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-8108-5100-9 |page=587 |access-date=11 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528020433/http://books.google.com/books?id=an-eXXA3DBMC |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 17th century Edinburgh's boundaries were still defined by the city's defensive [[Edinburgh town walls|town walls]]. As a result, the city's growing population was accommodated by increasing the height of the houses. Buildings of 11 storeys or more were common,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chambers |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/noticesmostrema00chamgoog |title=Notices of the most remarkable fires in Edinburgh, from 1385 to 1824 |publisher=C. Smith & Company |year=1824 |page=[https://archive.org/details/noticesmostrema00chamgoog/page/n20 11] |access-date=17 February 2013 }}</ref> and have been described as forerunners of the modern-day skyscraper.<ref name="Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat">{{Cite journal |last=Peet |first=Gerard |year=2011 |title=The Origin of the Skyscraper |url=http://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/321-the-origin-of-the-skyscraper.pdf |url-status=live |journal=CTBUH Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629024523/http://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/321-the-origin-of-the-skyscraper.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2018 |access-date=7 September 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=Neil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygf59UOCPfQC&q=skyscrapers&pg=PA37 |title=Edinburgh Encounter |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-74179-306-2 |page=37 |publisher=Lonely Planet }}</ref> Most of these old structures were replaced by the predominantly [[Victorian era|Victorian]] buildings seen in today's Old Town. In 1611 an act of parliament created the [[High Constables of Edinburgh]] to keep order in the city, thought to be the oldest statutory police force in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/high-praise-citys-first-police-2462621 |title=High praise for city's first police |website=www.scotsman.com |date=August 2011 }}</ref>

===18th century===
[[File:The Parliament Close and Public Characters Fifty Years Since.jpg|thumb|A painting showing Edinburgh characters (based on [[John Kay (caricaturist)|John Kay]]'s caricatures) behind St Giles' Cathedral in the late 18th century]]
Following the [[Treaty of Union]] in 1706, the Parliaments of England and Scotland passed [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] in 1706 and 1707 respectively, uniting the two kingdoms in the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] effective from 1 May 1707.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Paul |title=1707: the Union of Scotland and England |publisher=Chambers |year=1979 |isbn=978-0-550-20265-9 |pages=51–54 }}</ref> As a consequence, the [[Parliament of Scotland]] merged with the [[Parliament of England]] to form the [[Parliament of Great Britain]], which sat at [[Palace of Westminster|Westminster]] in London. The Union was opposed by many Scots, resulting in riots in the city.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kelly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xpZy8nEtE4cC |title=The making of the United Kingdom and Black peoples of the Americas |publisher=Heinemann |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-435-30959-6 |page=77 |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223826/https://books.google.com/books?id=xpZy8nEtE4cC&pg |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By the first half of the 18th century, Edinburgh was described as one of Europe's most densely populated, overcrowded, and unsanitary towns.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Defoe |first=Daniel |title=A Tour Through The Whole Island of Britain |publisher=Penguin |year=1978 |location=London |page=577 |author-link=Daniel Defoe}} "... I believe, this may be said with truth, that in no city in the world so many people live in so little room as at Edinburgh".</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Topham |first=E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1NE9AAAAcAAJ |title=Letters from Edinburgh 1774–1775 |publisher=James Thin |year=1971 |isbn=978-1-236-68255-0 |location=Edinburgh |page=27 |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101001136/https://books.google.com/books?id=1NE9AAAAcAAJ |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live}}"...I make no manner of doubt but that the High Street in Edinburgh is inhabited by a greater number of persons than any street in Europe".</ref> Visitors were struck by the fact that the social classes shared the same urban space, even inhabiting the same [[tenement]] buildings; although here a form of social segregation did prevail, whereby shopkeepers and tradesmen tended to occupy the cheaper-to-rent cellars and garrets, while the more well-to-do professional classes occupied the more expensive middle storeys.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Graham |first=H. G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-QgPAAAAQAAJ |title=The Social Life of Scotland in the Eighteenth Century |publisher=Adam and Charles Black |year=1906 |location=London |page=85 |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424142257/http://books.google.com/books?id=-QgPAAAAQAAJ |archive-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[Jacobite rising of 1745]], Edinburgh was briefly occupied by the Jacobite "Highland Army" before its march into England.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lenman |first=Bruce |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZNnAAAAMAAJ |title=The Jacobite Cause |publisher=Richard Drew Publishing |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-86267-159-4 |page=104 |access-date=18 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101001136/https://books.google.com/books?id=sZNnAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> After its eventual defeat at [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden]], there followed a period of reprisals and pacification, largely directed at the rebellious [[Scottish clan|clans]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ferguson |first=W |title=Scotland, 1689 to the Present |publisher=Mercat Press |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-901824-86-8 |location=Edinburgh |page=154 |postscript=-}}--These clans were mainly Episcopalian (70 per cent) and Roman Catholic (30 per cent), p.151.</ref> In Edinburgh, the Town Council, keen to emulate London by initiating city improvements and expansion to the north of the castle,<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Keay |first1=K |title=Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland |last2=Keay |first2=J |publisher=HarperCollins |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-00-255082-6 |page=285 }}</ref> reaffirmed its belief in the Union and loyalty to the [[House of Hanover|Hanoverian]] monarch [[George III of the United Kingdom|George III]] by its choice of names for the streets of the New Town: for example, [[Tudor rose|Rose]] Street and [[Thistle#Scottish thistle|Thistle]] Street; and for the royal family, [[George Street, Edinburgh|George Street]], [[Queen Street, Edinburgh|Queen Street]], Hanover Street, Frederick Street and [[Princes Street]] (in honour of George's two sons).<ref name="princeshist">{{Cite web |title=History of Princes Street |url=http://www.princes-street.com/history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029120404/http://www.princes-street.com/history.html |archive-date=29 October 2012 |access-date=14 February 2013 |publisher=princes-street.com }}</ref> The consistently geometric layout of the plan for the extension of Edinburgh was the result of a major competition in urban planning staged by the Town Council in 1766.<ref>[https://doi.org/10.11588/arthistoricum.493.c6562 Alexis Joachimides, "Edinburgh's First New Town from a Transnational Perspective – Continental Sources for Eighteenth-Century Town Planning in Britain"], in Maria Effinger, et al. (eds.), ''Von analogen und digitalen Zugängen zur Kunst: Festschrift für Hubertus Kohle zum 60. Geburtstag'' (Heidelberg University: arthistoricum.net, 2019), pp. 71–82.</ref>

In the second half of the century, the city was at the heart of the [[Scottish Enlightenment]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=William Robertson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8nS5CMLeamwC |title=William Robertson and the expansion of empire |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1997 |isbn=9780521570831 |page=2 |access-date=18 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101001136/https://books.google.com/books?id=8nS5CMLeamwC |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> when thinkers like [[David Hume]], [[Adam Smith]], [[James Hutton]] and [[Joseph Black]] were familiar figures in its streets. Edinburgh became a major intellectual centre, earning it the nickname "Athens of the North" because of its many [[neoclassical architecture|neo-classical]] buildings and reputation for learning, recalling ancient Athens.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNhT1uVIZvYC |title=Blackwood's Edinburgh magazine |year=1822 |volume=11 |page=323 |access-date=18 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101001136/https://books.google.com/books?id=PNhT1uVIZvYC |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 18th-century novel ''[[The Expedition of Humphry Clinker]]'' by [[Tobias Smollett]] one character describes Edinburgh as a "hotbed of genius".<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Expedition of Humphry Clinker |publisher=Project Gutenberg |year=2000 |chapter=Letter from Matthew Bramble on August 8 |access-date=13 October 2013 |chapter-url=http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2160/pg2160.txt }}</ref> Edinburgh was also a major centre for the Scottish book trade. The highly successful London bookseller [[Andrew Millar (publisher)|Andrew Millar]] was apprenticed there to James McEuen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The manuscripts, Letter from Andrew Millar to Robert Wodrow, 15 July, 1725. Andrew Millar Project. University of Edinburgh |url=http://www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk/manuscripts/html_output/5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004224547/http://www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk/manuscripts/html_output/5.html |archive-date=4 October 2016 |access-date=3 June 2016 |website=www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk }}</ref>

From the 1770s onwards, the professional and business classes gradually deserted the Old Town in favour of the more elegant "one-family" residences of the New Town, a migration that changed the city's social character. According to the foremost historian of this development, "Unity of social feeling was one of the most valuable heritages of old Edinburgh, and its disappearance was widely and properly lamented."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Youngson |first=A J |title=The Making of Classical Edinburgh |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-85224-576-7 |page=256 }}</ref>

===19th and 20th centuries===
[[File:Aerial View of Edinburgh, by Alfred Buckham, from about 1920.jpg|alt=An aerial photo of Edinburgh with an aeroplane visible|thumb|left|175px|Edinburgh, c. 1920]]

Despite an enduring myth to the contrary,<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/inspiring-capital-deconstructing-myths-and-reconstructing-urban-e |title=Inspiring Capital? Deconstructing myths and reconstructing urban environments, Edinburgh, 1860–2010 |journal=Research Output |year=2013 |publisher=Edinburgh University |doi=10.1017/S0963926813000448 |access-date=23 July 2021 |last1=Madgin |first1=Rebecca |last2=Rodger |first2=Richard |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=507–529 |s2cid=145373686 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Edinburgh became an industrial centre<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Edinburgh-Scotland/The-modern-city |title=The modern city |encyclopedia=Edinburgh |publisher=Britannica |access-date=23 July 2021 }}</ref> with its traditional industries of printing, brewing and distilling continuing to grow in the 19th century and joined by new industries such as [[Hunter Boot Ltd|rubber works]], [[Engineering|engineering works]] and others. By 1821 Edinburgh had been overtaken by [[Glasgow]] as Scotland's largest city.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pryde |first=George Smith |title=Scotland from 1603 to the present day |publisher=Nelson |year=1962 |page=141 |quote=Population figures for 1801 – Glasgow 77,385; Edinburgh 82,560; for 1821 – Glasgow 147,043; Edinburgh 138,325 }}</ref> The city centre between Princes Street and George Street became a major commercial and shopping district, a development partly stimulated by the arrival of railways in the 1840s. The Old Town became an increasingly dilapidated, overcrowded slum with high mortality rates.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hogg |first=A |title=Scotland: The Rise of Cities 1694–1905 |publisher=Evans Brothers Ltd. |year=1973 |isbn=978-0237286569 |location=London |chapter=Topic 3:Problem Areas }}</ref> Improvements carried out under Lord Provost [[William Chambers (publisher)|William Chambers]] in the 1860s began the transformation of the area into the predominantly [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] Old Town seen today.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McWilliam |first=C |title=Scottish Townscape |publisher=Collins |year=1975 |isbn=978-0-00-216743-7 |location=London |page=196 }}</ref> More improvements followed in the early 20th century as a result of the work of [[Patrick Geddes]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=McWilliam |first=C |title=Scottish Townscape |publisher=Collins |year=1975 |isbn=978-0-00-216743-7 |location=London |page=197 }}</ref> but relative economic stagnation during the two world wars and beyond saw the Old Town deteriorate further before major [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] in the 1960s and 1970s began to reverse the process. New construction, such as of [[Argyle House, Edinburgh|Argyle House]] near the castle and the university building developments, which transformed the [[George Square, Edinburgh|George Square]] and Potterrow areas, proved highly controversial.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Coghill |first=H |title=Lost Edinburgh |publisher=Birlinn Ltd. |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-84158-747-9 |location=Edinburgh |pages=219–220 }}</ref><ref name="h568">{{cite web |title=Edinburgh council considers plans to demolish Dept Q police station |website=BBC News |date=12 November 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq501v457v4o |access-date=12 November 2025 }}</ref>

[[File:Opening of the Scottish Parliament, 1999.jpg|thumb|right|Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and [[Donald Dewar]] at the opening of the [[Scottish Parliament]], 1999]]

Since the 1990s a new "financial district", including the [[Edinburgh International Conference Centre]], has grown mainly on demolished railway property to the west of the castle, stretching into [[Fountainbridge]], a run-down 19th-century industrial suburb which has undergone radical change since the 1980s with the demise of industrial and brewery premises. This ongoing development has enabled Edinburgh to maintain its place as the United Kingdom's second largest financial and administrative centre after London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial services |url=http://www.investinedinburgh.com/industry-strengths/financial-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713075332/http://www.investinedinburgh.com/industry-strengths/financial-services |archive-date=13 July 2017 |access-date=7 July 2017 |website=www.investinedinburgh.com |publisher=Edinburgh City Council }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Keay |first=John |title=Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland |publisher=1994 |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-00-255082-6 |page=286 }}</ref> Financial services now account for a third of all commercial office space in the city.<ref name="W Rae, Edinburgh 1994, p.164">{{Cite book |last=Rae |first=William |title=Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital City |publisher=Mainstream |year=1994 |isbn=978-1-85158-605-9 |page=164 }}</ref> The development of [[Edinburgh Park]], a new business and technology park covering {{cvt|38|acres|0}}, {{cvt|4|mi|0}} west of the city centre, has also contributed to the District Council's strategy for the city's major economic regeneration.<ref name="W Rae, Edinburgh 1994, p.164" />

In 1998 the [[Scotland Act 1998|Scotland Act]], which came into force the following year, established a [[Devolution|devolved]] Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive (renamed the Scottish Government since September 2007<ref>{{Cite news |title=Scottish Executive renames itself |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6974798.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6974798.stm |archive-date=10 February 2009 }}</ref>). Both based in Edinburgh, they are responsible for governing Scotland while [[Reserved and excepted matters|reserved matters]] such as defence, foreign affairs, and some elements of income tax remain the responsibility of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 1998 |title=Scotland Act 1998 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126223544/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=15 March 2013 }}</ref>

===21st century===
In 2022 Edinburgh was affected by the [[2022 Scotland bin strikes]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 2022 |title=Edinburgh wakes up to the bin strike hangover |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-62722956 |access-date=31 August 2022 }}</ref> In 2023 Edinburgh became the first capital city in Europe to sign the global [[Plant-based action plan#Plant Based Treaty|Plant Based Treaty]], which was introduced at [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference|COP26]] in 2021 in Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh becomes first European capital to commit to shift towards vegan diets |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23260559.edinburgh-shift-plant-based-diets-tackle-climate-change/ |access-date=23 January 2023 |website=HeraldScotland |date=18 January 2023 |language=en }}</ref> The [[Scottish Greens]] councillor Steve Burgess introduced the treaty. The Scottish Countryside Alliance and other farming groups called the treaty "anti-farming".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2023 |title=Anger as Edinburgh council signs 'Plant Based Treaty' |url=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/environment/anger-as-edinburgh-council-signs-plant-based-treaty |access-date=23 January 2023 |website=Farmers Weekly |language=en-US }}</ref>

In 2026, Edinburgh experienced a series of [[pro-Palestinian]] demonstrations linked to the [[Israel–Gaza conflict]]. On 17 January, a National Palestine Demonstration was held in the city, drawing thousands of participants. The march proceeded through the city centre and concluded near the [[Scottish Parliament]].<ref name="source1">{{cite web |title=National Palestine Demonstration: resist imperialism, resist repression |url=https://edinburgh.greens.scot/events/national-palestine-demonstration-resist-imperialism-resist-repression/}}</ref>

Later in January, pro-Palestinian activists blockaded a Leonardo UK defence facility in Edinburgh, calling on the company to respond to demands made by [[Palestine Action]].<ref name="source2">{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestinian protesters blockade defence factory in Edinburgh |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/edinburgh-government-police-scotland-iran-lebanon-b2966314.html}}</ref><ref name="source3">{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blockade Scottish aerospace defence factory |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2026-01-28/pro-palestinian-demonstrators-blockade-scottish-aerospace-defence-factory}}</ref> a group proscribed under the [[Terrorism Act 2000]].<ref name="source4">{{cite web |title=Three groups to be proscribed |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-groups-to-be-proscribed}}</ref> The protests involved around 100 activists and required the presence and intervention of [[Police Scotland]].<ref name="source5">{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blockade aerospace defence factory |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/andy-edinburgh-palestine-government-british-b1268470.html}}</ref>{{clear left}}

==Geography==
===Location===
[[File:Edinburgh Victora Street 20211019.jpg|thumb|right|Victoria Street in October 2021]]

Situated in Scotland's [[Central Belt]], Edinburgh lies on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. The city centre is {{cvt|2+1/2|mi|km}} southwest of the shoreline of [[Leith]] and {{cvt|26|mi|km}} inland, as the crow flies, from the east coast of Scotland and the [[North Sea]] at [[Dunbar]].<ref>{{Cite map |title=Geographia Atlas of the World |year=1984 |publisher=Geographia Ltd |location=London |isbn=0-09-202840-3 |page=99 }}</ref> While the early burgh grew up near the prominent Castle Rock, the modern city is often said to be built on [[Hills in Edinburgh|seven hills]], namely [[Calton Hill]], [[Corstorphine Hill]], Craiglockhart Hill, [[Braid Hills|Braid Hill]], [[Blackford Hill]], Arthur's Seat and the Castle Rock,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Hills of Edinburgh |url=http://www.seven-hills.org.uk/course.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509080149/http://www.seven-hills.org.uk/course.asp |archive-date=9 May 2013 |access-date=28 February 2013 |publisher=[[VisitScotland]] }}</ref> giving rise to allusions to the [[seven hills of Rome]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2003 |title=Voltaire said: Athens of the North |url=http://www.scotland.org/features/voltaire-said |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427212622/http://www.scotland.org/features/voltaire-said |archive-date=27 April 2013 |access-date=28 March 2013 |publisher=Scotland.org }}</ref>

===Cityscape===

[[File:Edinburgh. View from Calton Hill.jpg|thumb|left|View from Calton Hill]]

Occupying a narrow gap between the Firth of Forth to the north and the [[Pentland Hills]] and their outrunners to the south, the city sprawls over a landscape which is the product of early volcanic activity and later periods of intensive glaciation.
<ref name="Edwards2005">{{Cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Brian |title=Edinburgh: The Making of a Capital City |last2=Jenkins |first2=Paul |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7486-1868-2 }}</ref>{{rp|64–65}} Igneous activity between 350 and 400 million years ago, coupled with [[fault (geology)|faulting]], led to the creation of tough [[basalt]] [[volcanic plug]]s, which predominate over much of the area.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}} One such example is the Castle Rock which forced the advancing ice sheet to divide, sheltering the softer rock and forming a {{cvt|1|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} tail of material to the east, thus creating a distinctive [[crag and tail]] formation.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}} Glacial erosion on the north side of the crag gouged a deep valley later filled by the now drained [[Nor Loch]]. These features, along with another hollow on the rock's south side, formed an ideal natural strongpoint upon which Edinburgh Castle was built.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}} Similarly, Arthur's Seat is the remains of a volcano dating from the [[Carboniferous period]], which was eroded by a glacier moving west to east during the ice age.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}} Erosive action such as [[plucking (glaciation)|plucking]] and [[abrasion (geology)|abrasion]] exposed the rocky crags to the west before leaving a tail of deposited glacial material swept to the east.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Piggott |first=Stuart |title=Scotland before History |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=1982 |isbn=978-0-85224-470-8 |author-link=Stuart Piggott }}</ref> This process formed the distinctive [[Salisbury Crags]], a series of [[Theralite#Teschenites|teschenite]] cliffs between Arthur's Seat and the location of the early burgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sill |url=http://www.landforms.eu/Lothian/sill.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901122806/http://www.landforms.eu/Lothian/sill.htm |archive-date=1 September 2014 |access-date=29 March 2013 |publisher=landforms.eu }}</ref> The residential areas of [[Marchmont]] and [[Bruntsfield]] are built along a series of [[drumlin]] ridges south of the city centre, which were [[glacial deposition|deposited]] as the glacier receded.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}}

Other prominent landforms, such as [[Calton Hill]] and [[Corstorphine Hill]], are also products of glacial erosion.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}} The Braid Hills and Blackford Hill are a series of small summits to the south of the city centre that command expansive views looking northwards over the urban area to the Firth of Forth.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|64–65}}

{{Panorama
|image   = Edinburgh cityscapes - aerial - panorama - 2025-04-19 05.jpg
|height  = 300
|alt     = Edinburgh aerial photograph panorama taken from [[Princes Street]], city centre.
|caption = Panorama of Edinburgh, 2025
}}

Edinburgh is drained by the river named the [[Water of Leith]], which rises at the Colzium Springs in the Pentland Hills and runs for {{convert|29|km|mi|order=flip}} through the south and west of the city, emptying into the Firth of Forth at Leith.<ref name="waterofleith">{{Cite web |title=Overview of the Water of Leith |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst2805.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607103453/http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst2805.html |archive-date=7 June 2010 |access-date=19 April 2009 |publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland, Institute of Geography, University of Edinburgh }}</ref> The nearest the river gets to the city centre is at [[Dean Village]] on the north-western edge of the New Town, where a deep gorge is spanned by [[Thomas Telford]]'s [[Dean Bridge]], built in 1832 for the road to [[South Queensferry|Queensferry]]. The [[Water of Leith Walkway]] is a mixed-use [[trail]] that follows the course of the river for {{cvt|19.6|km|mi|1}} from Balerno to Leith.<ref name="walkway">{{Cite web |title=The Water of Leith Walkway |url=http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/walkway/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403135441/http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/walkway/ |archive-date=3 April 2009 |access-date=19 April 2009 |publisher=Water of Leith Conservation Trust }}</ref>

Excepting the shoreline of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is encircled by a [[green belt]], designated in 1957, which stretches from [[Dalmeny]] in the west to [[Prestongrange]] in the east.<ref name="greenbelt">{{Cite web |date=11 August 2004 |title=Review of Green Belt policy in Scotland – Edinburgh and Midlothian |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/08/19785/41543 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607174737/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/08/19785/41543 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |access-date=10 April 2009 |publisher=Scottish Government }}</ref> With an average width of {{cvt|3.2|km|mi|0}} the principal objectives of the green belt were to contain the outward expansion of the city and to prevent the agglomeration of urban areas.<ref name="greenbelt" /> Expansion affecting the green belt is strictly controlled but developments such as [[Edinburgh Airport]] and the [[Royal Highland Showground]] at [[Ingliston]] lie within the zone.<ref name="greenbelt" /> Similarly, suburbs such as [[Juniper Green]] and Balerno are situated on green belt land.<ref name="greenbelt" /> One feature of the Edinburgh green belt is the inclusion of parcels of land within the city which are designated green belt, even though they do not connect with the peripheral ring. Examples of these independent wedges of green belt include [[Holyrood Park]] and Corstorphine Hill.<ref name="greenbelt" />

===Areas===
[[File:Edinburgh map.png|thumb|Map showing the areas of central Edinburgh]]

====Early settlements====
Edinburgh includes former towns and villages that retain much of their original character as settlements in existence before they were absorbed into the expanding city of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Areas |url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/areas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223740/http://edinburghguide.com/areas |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=edinburghguide.com }}</ref> Many areas, such as [[Dalry, Edinburgh|Dalry]], contain residences that are multi-occupancy buildings known as [[tenement]]s, although the more southern and western parts of the city have traditionally been less built-up with a greater number of detached and semi-detached villas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh area guide |url=http://www.timeout.com/edinburgh/features/146/edinburgh-area-guide |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218202447/http://www.timeout.com/edinburgh/features/146/edinburgh-area-guide |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=timeout.com }}</ref>

The historic centre of Edinburgh is divided into two by the broad green swathe of [[Princes Street Gardens]]. To the south, the view is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, built high on Castle Rock, and the long sweep of the Old Town descending towards Holyrood Palace. To the north lie Princes Street and the New Town.

The [[West End, Edinburgh|West End]] includes the financial district, with insurance and banking offices as well as the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

====Old and New Towns====
[[File:Old Town skyline, Edinburgh - geograph.org.uk - 8087811.jpg|thumb|Skyline of the [[Edinburgh Old Town]]]]

Edinburgh's Old and New Towns were listed as a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] in 1995 in recognition of the unique character of the Old Town with its medieval street layout and the planned Georgian New Town, including the adjoining Dean Village and Calton Hill areas. There are over 4,500 [[Listed building (United Kingdom)|listed buildings]] within the city,<ref name="www.edinburgh.org world-heritage-site" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The UNESCO World Heritage Site |url=https://ewh.org.uk/the-unesco-world-heritage-site/ |access-date=1 August 2025 |website=Edinburgh World Heritage |language=en-GB }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |title=Old and New Towns of Edinburgh |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/728/ |access-date=1 August 2025 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en }}</ref> a higher proportion relative to area than any other city in the United Kingdom.

The castle is perched on top of a rocky crag (the remnant of an extinct volcano), and the [[Royal Mile]] runs down the crest of a ridge from it, terminating at Holyrood Palace. Minor streets (called closes or [[wynd]]s) lie on either side of the main spine, forming a herringbone pattern.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Old and New Towns of Edinburgh |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/728 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120141829/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/728 |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=UNESCO }}</ref> Due to space restrictions imposed by the narrowness of this landform, the Old Town became home to some of the earliest "high rise" residential buildings. Multi-storey dwellings known as ''lands'' were the norm from the 16th century onwards, with ten and eleven storeys being typical, and one even reaching fourteen or fifteen storeys.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chambers |first=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/noticesmostrema00chamgoog |title=Notices of the most remarkable fires in Edinburgh: from 1385 to 1824&nbsp;... |publisher=C. Smith & Company |year=1824 |quote=fifteen. |author-link=Robert Chambers (publisher born 1802) |access-date=9 January 2012 }}</ref> Vaults below street level were inhabited to accommodate the influx of incomers, particularly [[Irish migration to Great Britain|Irish immigrants]], during the [[Industrial Revolution]]. The street has several fine public buildings such as St Giles' Cathedral, the [[Edinburgh City Chambers|City Chambers]] and the [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Law Courts]]. Other places of historical interest nearby are [[Greyfriars Kirkyard]] and [[Mary King's Close]]. The [[Grassmarket]], running deep below the castle, is connected by the steep double terraced Victoria Street. The street layout is typical of the old quarters of many Northern European cities.

The New Town was an 18th-century solution to the problem of an increasingly crowded city, which had been confined to the ridge sloping down from the castle. In 1766 a competition to design a "New Town" was won by [[James Craig (architect)|James Craig]], a 27-year-old architect.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cruft, Kitty |title=James Craig 1739–1795: Correction of his Date of Birth |journal=Book of the Old Edinburgh Club |volume=New Series Vol. 5 |pages=103–5 }}</ref> The plan was a rigid, ordered grid, which fitted in well with [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] ideas of rationality. The principal street was to be [[George Street, Edinburgh|George Street]], running along the natural ridge to the north of what became known as the "Old Town". To either side of it are two other main streets: Princes Street and Queen Street. Princes Street has become Edinburgh's main shopping street and now has few of its [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] buildings in their original state. The three main streets are connected by a series of streets running perpendicular to them. The east and west ends of George Street are terminated by [[St Andrew Square, Edinburgh|St Andrew Square]] and [[Charlotte Square]] respectively. [[File:New Town of Edinburgh 20140320-4.jpg|thumb|right|Skyline of the [[Edinburgh New Town]]]] The latter, designed by [[Robert Adam]], influenced the architectural style of the New Town into the early 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Architects Homecoming |url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/architectsactive.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119084414/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/architectsactive.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2011 |access-date=18 January 2011 |publisher=Historic Scotland }}</ref> [[Bute House]], the official residence of the [[First Minister of Scotland]], is on the north side of Charlotte Square.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bute House |url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/venue/butehouse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120143843/http://edinburghguide.com/venue/butehouse |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=edinburghguide.com }}</ref>

The hollow between the Old and New Towns was formerly the [[Nor Loch]], which was created for the town's defence but came to be used by the inhabitants for dumping their [[sewage]]. It was drained by the 1820s as part of the city's northward expansion. Craig's original plan included an ornamental canal on the site of the loch,<ref name="princeshist" /> but this idea was abandoned.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From monks on strike to dove's dung |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/from-monks-on-strike-to-dove-s-dung-1-881129 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513214124/http://www.scotsman.com/news/from-monks-on-strike-to-dove-s-dung-1-881129 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=scotsman.com }}</ref> Soil excavated while laying the foundations of buildings in the New Town was dumped on the site of the [[loch]] to create the slope connecting the Old and New Towns known as [[The Mound]].

In the middle of the 19th century the [[National Gallery of Scotland]] and the [[Royal Scottish Academy Building]] were built on The Mound, and tunnels for the railway line between [[Haymarket railway station|Haymarket]] and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Waverley]] stations were driven through it.

====Southside====
{{Main|Southside, Edinburgh}}

The Southside is a residential part of the city, which includes the districts of [[St Leonard's, Edinburgh|St Leonards]], [[Marchmont]], [[Morningside, Edinburgh|Morningside]], [[Newington, Edinburgh|Newington]], [[Sciennes]], [[The Grange, Edinburgh|the Grange]] and [[Blackford, Edinburgh|Blackford]]. The Southside is broadly analogous to the area covered formerly by the [[Burgh Muir]], and was developed as a residential area after the opening of the [[South Bridge, Edinburgh|South Bridge]] in the 1780s. The Southside is particularly popular with families (many state and private schools are here), young professionals and students (the central University of Edinburgh campus is based around [[George Square, Edinburgh|George Square]] just north of Marchmont and [[The Meadows (park)|the Meadows]]), and [[Napier University]] (with major campuses around Merchiston and Morningside). The area is also well provided with hotels and "bed and breakfast" accommodation for visiting festival-goers. These districts often feature in works of fiction. For example, [[Church Hill, Edinburgh|Church Hill]] in Morningside, was the home of [[Muriel Spark]]'s Miss Jean Brodie,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie |url=http://www.geraldinemcewan.com/JeanBrodie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209070917/http://www.geraldinemcewan.com/JeanBrodie.html |archive-date=9 February 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=geraldinemcewan.com }}</ref> and [[Ian Rankin]]'s [[Inspector Rebus]] lives in Marchmont and works in St Leonards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspector Rebus Novels |url=http://www.ianrankin.net/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303085742/https://www.ianrankin.net/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=12 |archive-date=3 March 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=ianrankin.net }}</ref>

====Leith====

[[File:The Shore, Leith.JPG|thumb|The Shore, Leith]]

[[Leith]] was historically the port of Edinburgh, an arrangement of unknown date that was confirmed by the royal charter Robert the Bruce granted to the city in 1329.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Edinburgh Corporation |title=Edinburgh 1329–1929, Sexcentenary of Bruce Charter |publisher=Oliver And Boyd |year=1929 |location=Edinburgh |page=xxvii }}</ref> The port developed a separate identity from Edinburgh, which to some extent it still retains, and it was a matter of great resentment when the two burghs merged in 1920 into the City of Edinburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Story of Leith – XXXIII. How Leith was Governed |website=Electric Scotland |url=http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leith/33.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310175246/http://www.electricscotland.com/history/leith/33.htm |archive-date=10 March 2007 |access-date=23 March 2007 }}</ref> Even today, the parliamentary seat is known as "Edinburgh North and Leith". The loss of traditional industries and commerce (the [[Henry Robb|last shipyard]] closed in 1983) resulted in economic decline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Untitled |url=http://www.esds.ac.uk/doc/4927/mrdoc/pdf/q4927uguide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014174434/http://www.esds.ac.uk/doc/4927/mrdoc/pdf/q4927uguide.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2013 |access-date=14 October 2013 |publisher=Economic and Social Data Service |postscript=-}}-note incorrect date given for Henry Robb shipyard closure.</ref> The Edinburgh Waterfront development has transformed old dockland areas from Leith to Granton into residential areas with shopping and leisure facilities and helped rejuvenate the area. With the redevelopment, Edinburgh has gained the business of cruise liner companies, which now provide cruises to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The coastal suburb of [[Portobello, Edinburgh|Portobello]] is characterised by Georgian villas, Victorian tenements, a beach and [[promenade]], and cafés, bars, restaurants and independent shops. There are rowing and sailing clubs, a restored Victorian swimming pool, and [[Victorian Turkish baths]].

====Urban area====

The [[List of towns and cities in Scotland by population#Settlements|urban area]] of Edinburgh is almost entirely within the [[The City of Edinburgh Council|City of Edinburgh Council]] boundary, merging with [[Musselburgh]] in East Lothian. Towns within easy reach of the city boundary include [[Inverkeithing]], [[Haddington, East Lothian|Haddington]], [[Tranent]], [[Prestonpans]], [[Dalkeith]], [[Bonnyrigg]], [[Loanhead]], [[Penicuik]], [[Broxburn, West Lothian|Broxburn]], [[Livingston, West Lothian|Livingston]] and [[Dunfermline]]. Edinburgh lies at the heart of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City region, with a population in 2014 of 1,339,380.<ref name="NRS LA Estimate">{{Cite web |title=Mid-Year Population Estimates Scotland, Mid-2017 |date=19 April 2018 |url=https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/population-estimates/mid-17/mid-year-pop-est-17-publication.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511214824/https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//statistics/population-estimates/mid-17/mid-year-pop-est-17-publication.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2018 |access-date=12 April 2018 |website=National Records of Scotland }}</ref><ref name="City Region Definition">{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region |url=http://www.acceleratinggrowth.org.uk/about-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125202249/http://www.acceleratinggrowth.org.uk/about-us/ |archive-date=25 November 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015 }}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Norwegian Memorial Stone 01.jpg|thumb|right|Sunshine in [[Princes Street Gardens]]]]

Like most of Scotland, Edinburgh has a cool [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[maritime climate]] (''Cfb'') which, despite its northerly latitude, is milder than places which lie at similar latitudes such as [[Moscow]] and [[Labrador]].<ref name="temperature">{{Cite web |title=Regional Climate – Eastern Scotland |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516005631/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/es |archive-date=16 May 2013 |access-date=19 April 2009 |publisher=Met Office }}</ref> The city's proximity to the sea mitigates any large variations in temperature or extremes of climate. Winter daytime temperatures rarely fall below freezing while summer temperatures are moderate, rarely exceeding {{cvt|22|C}}.<ref name="temperature" /> The highest temperature recorded in the city was {{cvt|31.6|C}} on 25 July 2019<ref name="temperature" /> at Gogarbank, beating the previous record of {{cvt|31|C}} on 4 August 1975 at Edinburgh Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's the hottest day ever – Edinburgh roasts as Capital breaks all-time temperature record |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/weather/it-s-the-hottest-day-ever-edinburgh-roasts-as-capital-breaks-all-time-temperature-record-1-4971315/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725191952/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/weather/it-s-the-hottest-day-ever-edinburgh-roasts-as-capital-breaks-all-time-temperature-record-1-4971315 |archive-date=25 July 2019 |access-date=26 July 2019 }}</ref> The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was {{cvt|-14.6|C}} during December 2010 at Gogarbank.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2010 |title=December 2010 minimum |url=http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/minimum-temperatures-and-snow-across-the-uk-last-night/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112235510/http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/minimum-temperatures-and-snow-across-the-uk-last-night/ |archive-date=12 January 2012 |access-date=31 October 2011 }}</ref>

Given Edinburgh's position between the coast and hills, it is renowned as "the windy city", with the prevailing wind direction coming from the south-west, which is often associated with warm, unstable air from the [[North Atlantic Current]] that can give rise to rainfall – although considerably less than cities to the west, such as Glasgow.<ref name="temperature" /> Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.<ref name="temperature" /> Winds from an easterly direction are usually drier but considerably colder, and may be accompanied by [[haar (fog)|haar]], a persistent coastal fog. Vigorous Atlantic depressions, known as [[European windstorm]]s, can affect the city between October and April.<ref name="temperature" />

Located slightly north of the city centre, the weather station at the [[Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh]] (RBGE) has been an official weather station for the [[Met Office]] since 1956.
The Met Office operates its own weather station at Gogarbank on the city's western outskirts, near [[Edinburgh Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Gogarbank Climate Averages 1981–2010 |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gcvw5vmsn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909205528/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gcvw5vmsn |archive-date=9 September 2015 |access-date=11 August 2015 |publisher=Met Office }}</ref> This slightly inland station has a slightly wider temperature span between seasons, is cloudier and somewhat wetter, but differences are minor.

Temperature and rainfall records have been kept at the Royal Observatory since 1764.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niederschlagsmonatssummen EDINB.OBS./BLACKFORD 1785- 1987 |url=http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/pedinbu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105212026/http://old.wetterzentrale.de/klima/pedinbu.html |archive-date=5 January 2019 |access-date=3 July 2019 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location                = Edinburgh ([[Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh|RBGE]]),{{efn|Weather station is located {{cvt|0.9|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Edinburgh city centre.}} elevation: {{cvt|23|m|ft|0}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
| collapsed               = 
| metric first            = y
| single line             = y
| Jan record high C       = 15.0
| Feb record high C       = 15.2
| Mar record high C       = 20.0
| Apr record high C       = 24.1
| May record high C       = 29.0
| Jun record high C       = 28.4
| Jul record high C       = 31.0
| Aug record high C       = 31.4
| Sep record high C       = 26.7
| Oct record high C       = 24.4
| Nov record high C       = 20.6
| Dec record high C       = 15.4
| Jan high C              = 7.3
| Feb high C              = 8.0
| Mar high C              = 9.7
| Apr high C              = 12.2
| May high C              = 14.9
| Jun high C              = 17.4
| Jul high C              = 19.3
| Aug high C              = 19.1
| Sep high C              = 16.9
| Oct high C              = 13.4
| Nov high C              = 9.9
| Dec high C              = 7.3
| year high C             = 13.0
| Jan mean C              = 4.5
| Feb mean C              = 4.8
| Mar mean C              = 6.3
| Apr mean C              = 8.4
| May mean C              = 11.0
| Jun mean C              = 13.7
| Jul mean C              = 15.4
| Aug mean C              = 15.3
| Sep mean C              = 13.3
| Oct mean C              = 10.0
| Nov mean C              = 6.8
| Dec mean C              = 4.5
| year mean C             = 9.5
| Jan low C               = 1.7
| Feb low C               = 1.7
| Mar low C               = 2.9
| Apr low C               = 4.7
| May low C               = 7.1
| Jun low C               = 9.9
| Jul low C               = 11.6
| Aug low C               = 11.5
| Sep low C               = 9.7
| Oct low C               = 6.7
| Nov low C               = 3.8
| Dec low C               = 1.6
| year low C              = 6.1
| Jan record low C        = -15.5
| Feb record low C        = -11.7
| Mar record low C        = -11.1
| Apr record low C        = -6.1
| May record low C        = -2.4
| Jun record low C        = 1.1
| Jul record low C        = 4.4
| Aug record low C        = 2.2
| Sep record low C        = -1.1
| Oct record low C        = -3.7
| Nov record low C        = -8.3
| Dec record low C        = -11.5
| precipitation colour    = green
| Jan precipitation mm    = 64.7
| Feb precipitation mm    = 53.1
| Mar precipitation mm    = 48.5
| Apr precipitation mm    = 40.8
| May precipitation mm    = 47.6
| Jun precipitation mm    = 66.2
| Jul precipitation mm    = 72.1
| Aug precipitation mm    = 71.6
| Sep precipitation mm    = 54.9
| Oct precipitation mm    = 75.7
| Nov precipitation mm    = 65.3
| Dec precipitation mm    = 67.4
| year precipitation mm   = 727.7
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days  = 12.4
| Feb precipitation days  = 9.8
| Mar precipitation days  = 9.8
| Apr precipitation days  = 8.6
| May precipitation days  = 9.6
| Jun precipitation days  = 10.4
| Jul precipitation days  = 11.5
| Aug precipitation days  = 10.4
| Sep precipitation days  = 9.9
| Oct precipitation days  = 11.7
| Nov precipitation days  = 11.7
| Dec precipitation days  = 12.3
| year precipitation days = 128.3
| Jan sun                 = 55.2
| Feb sun                 = 82.2
| Mar sun                 = 117.3
| Apr sun                 = 157.3
| May sun                 = 194.7
| Jun sun                 = 161.8
| Jul sun                 = 169.9
| Aug sun                 = 160.0
| Sep sun                 = 130.1
| Oct sun                 = 99.4
| Nov sun                 = 72.1
| Dec sun                 = 49.2
| year sun                = 1449.1
| Jan uv                  = 0
| Feb uv                  = 1
| Mar uv                  = 2
| Apr uv                  = 3
| May uv                  = 5
| Jun uv                  = 6
| Jul uv                  = 5
| Aug uv                  = 5
| Sep uv                  = 3
| Oct uv                  = 1
| Nov uv                  = 1
| Dec uv                  = 0

| source 1 = [[Met Office]],<ref name="Met Averages">
{{cite web
|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcvwqum6h
|title=Edinburgh 1991–2020 averages
|access-date=18 December 2021
|publisher=Met Office
}}
</ref> [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref>
{{cite web
|url=https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php
|title=Indices Data
|access-date=13 December 2018
|publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]
|archive-date=9 July 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010608/https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php
|url-status=dead
}}
</ref> and Weather Atlas<ref>
{{Cite web
|url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/united-kingdom/edinburgh-climate
|title=Edinburgh, United Kingdom – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast
|publisher=Yu Media Group
|website=Weather Atlas
|language=en
|access-date=3 July 2019
}}
</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|location = Edinburgh (Gogarbank),{{efn|Weather station is located {{cvt|5.9|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Edinburgh city centre.}} elevation: {{cvt|57|m|ft|0}}, 1991–2020 normals
| collapsed               = y
| metric first            = y
| single line             = y
| Jan high C              = 6.9
| Feb high C              = 7.5
| Mar high C              = 9.3
| Apr high C              = 12.0
| May high C              = 14.9
| Jun high C              = 17.5
| Jul high C              = 19.4
| Aug high C              = 19.2
| Sep high C              = 16.9
| Oct high C              = 13.2
| Nov high C              = 9.5
| Dec high C              = 7.0
| year high C             = 12.8
| Jan mean C              = 4.2
| Feb mean C              = 4.6
| Mar mean C              = 6.0
| Apr mean C              = 8.2
| May mean C              = 10.8
| Jun mean C              = 13.4
| Jul mean C              = 15.2
| Aug mean C              = 15.1
| Sep mean C              = 13.1
| Oct mean C              = 9.8
| Nov mean C              = 6.6
| Dec mean C              = 4.2
| year mean C             = 9.3
| Jan low C               = 1.5
| Feb low C               = 1.6
| Mar low C               = 2.7
| Apr low C               = 4.3
| May low C               = 6.7
| Jun low C               = 9.4
| Jul low C               = 11.0
| Aug low C               = 11.0
| Sep low C               = 9.4
| Oct low C               = 6.5
| Nov low C               = 3.6
| Dec low C               = 1.4
| year low C              = 5.8
| precipitation colour    = green
| Jan precipitation mm    = 73.0
| Feb precipitation mm    = 61.1
| Mar precipitation mm    = 52.5
| Apr precipitation mm    = 45.9
| May precipitation mm    = 50.2
| Jun precipitation mm    = 68.8
| Jul precipitation mm    = 71.9
| Aug precipitation mm    = 74.7
| Sep precipitation mm    = 55.2
| Oct precipitation mm    = 82.7
| Nov precipitation mm    = 73.7
| Dec precipitation mm    = 74.9
| year precipitation mm   = 784.3
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days  = 13.3
| Feb precipitation days  = 10.7
| Mar precipitation days  = 10.3
| Apr precipitation days  = 9.2
| May precipitation days  = 10.8
| Jun precipitation days  = 11.1
| Jul precipitation days  = 11.4
| Aug precipitation days  = 11.2
| Sep precipitation days  = 10.5
| Oct precipitation days  = 13.0
| Nov precipitation days  = 12.9
| Dec precipitation days  = 13.1
| year precipitation days = 137.4
| Jan sun                 = 47.4
| Feb sun                 = 77.5
| Mar sun                 = 111.0
| Apr sun                 = 147.7
| May sun                 = 189.5
| Jun sun                 = 159.4
| Jul sun                 = 160.9
| Aug sun                 = 145.7
| Sep sun                 = 125.5
| Oct sun                 = 94.1
| Nov sun                 = 66.9
| Dec sun                 = 37.8
| year sun                = 1363.4

| source = [[Met Office]]<ref>
{{cite web
|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcvw5vmsn
|title=Edinburgh Gogerbank 1991–2020 averages
|work=Station, District and regional averages 1991–2020
|publisher=Met Office
|access-date=18 December 2021
}}
</ref>
| date   = December 2021
}}

==Governance==
{{Main|Politics of Edinburgh|City of Edinburgh Council}}

===Governance===
[[File:Edinburgh - 2016 - panoramio - StevenL (9).jpg|thumb|right|[[Edinburgh City Chambers]] is the headquarters of the [[City of Edinburgh Council]].]]

Following local government reorganisation in 1996, the City of Edinburgh Council constitutes one of the [[Council areas of Scotland|32 council areas of Scotland]].<ref name="act">{{Cite web |date=3 November 1994 |title=Schedule 1 – New Local Government Areas – Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/39/contents#sch1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128060111/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/39/contents#sch1 |archive-date=28 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) }}</ref> Like all other [[local authorities of Scotland]], the council has powers over most matters of local administration such as housing, planning, [[Transport in Edinburgh|local transport]], parks, economic development and regeneration.<ref name="act1">{{Cite web |date=3 November 1994 |title=Chapter 6 – Functions – Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/ukpga_19940039_en_4#pt1-ch6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625212935/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/ukpga_19940039_en_4#pt1-ch6 |archive-date=25 June 2008 |access-date=8 June 2008 |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) }}</ref> The council comprises 63 elected [[councillor]]s, returned from 17 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|multi-member electoral wards]] in the city.<ref name="councillors">{{Cite web |title=Councillors |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201213730/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors |archive-date=1 February 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council }}</ref> Following the [[2007 City of Edinburgh Council election]] the incumbent [[Scottish Labour|Labour Party]] lost majority control of the council following 23 years to a [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]]/[[Scottish National Party|SNP]] coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2007 |title=Nationalist negotiate coalition deals in some of Scotland's largest cities |url=http://www.citymayors.com/politics/scotland-election07.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125102245/http://citymayors.com/politics/scotland-election07.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 |access-date=16 January 2011 |publisher=CityMayors Politics }}</ref>

Following the 2017 election, the SNP and Labour formed a coalition administration, which lasted until the next election in 2022. The [[2022 City of Edinburgh Council election]] resulted in the most politically balanced council in the UK, with 19 SNP, 13 Labour, 12 Liberal Democrat, 10 Green, and 9 Conservative councillors. A minority Labour administration was formed, being voted in by Scottish Conservative and Scottish Liberal Democrat councillors. The SNP and Greens presented a coalition agreement, but could not command a majority in the council. This caused controversy amongst the Scottish Labour Party group for forming an administration supported by Conservatives, and led to the suspension of two Labour councillors on the council for abstaining on the vote to approve the new administration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=Labour suspends councillors who abstained on vote that put their party into power |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/two-edinburgh-labour-councillors-suspended-after-abstaining-on-vote-which-put-their-party-into-power-3748068 |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com |language=en }}</ref> The city's [[Coat of arms of Edinburgh|coat of arms]] was registered by the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] in 1732.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Urquhart |first=R M |title=Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry |publisher=Heraldry Today |year=1973 |isbn=978-0-900455-24-7 |location=London |page=9 }}</ref>

===Politics===

{{multiple image
| align       = right
| total_width = 440
| image1      = Scottish Parliament Building - geograph.org.uk - 6971992.jpg
| alt1        = Scottish Parliament
| caption1    = The [[Scottish Parliament]] is located in the [[Holyrood Park|Holyrood]] area of the city.
| image2      = St Andrew's House, Edinburgh (2496437377).jpg
| alt2        = St Andrew's House
| caption2    = The HQ of the [[Scottish Government]] is located at [[St Andrew's House]] in the city.
| footer      = 
}}

Edinburgh, like all of Scotland, is represented in the [[Scottish Parliament]], situated in the [[Holyrood, Edinburgh|Holyrood]] area of the city. For electoral purposes, the city is divided into six constituencies, which, along with 3 seats outside of the city, form part of the [[Lothian (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Lothian region]].<ref name="elections">{{Cite web |date=3 May 2007 |title=Scottish Parliament election results 2007 |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/800/election_results/1067/scottish_parliamentary_election_results/1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508175548/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/800/election_results/1067/scottish_parliamentary_election_results/1 |archive-date=8 May 2011 |access-date=14 January 2009 |publisher=Elections Office – City of Edinburgh Council }}</ref> Each constituency elects one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) by the [[first past the post]] system of election, and the region elects seven [[Additional-member system|additional MSPs]] to produce a result based on a form of proportional representation.<ref name="elections" />

As of September 2026, the Scottish National Party have three MSPs: [[Ben Macpherson (politician)|Ben Macpherson]] for [[Edinburgh Northern and Leith]], [[Simita Kumar]] for [[Edinburgh South Western]] and [[Kate Campbell (politician)|Kate Campbell]] for [[Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent]] constituencies. [[Alex Cole-Hamilton]], the leader of the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] represents [[Edinburgh North Western]] alongside his fellow party member [[Sanne Dijkstra-Downie]] for [[Edinburgh Northern]], while [[Daniel Johnson (Scottish politician)|Daniel Johnson]] of the [[Scottish Labour|Scottish Labour Party]] represents [[Edinburgh Southern]] constituency and [[Lorna Slater]] of the [[Scottish Greens]]. In addition, the city is also represented by seven regional MSPs representing the Lothian electoral region: The Scottish Greens have three regional list MSPs: [[Kate Nevens]], [[Q Manivannan]] and [[Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill]], while Labour have two: [[Irshad Ahmed (politician)|Irshad Ahmed]] and [[Katherine Sangster]]. [[Angela Ross]] of [[Reform UK]] and [[Miles Briggs]] of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] make up the 7 regional list MSPs.

Edinburgh is also represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] by five [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]]. The city is divided into [[Edinburgh North and Leith (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh North and Leith]], [[Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh East and Musselburgh]], [[Edinburgh South (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh South]], [[Edinburgh South West]], and [[Edinburgh West (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh West]], each constituency electing one member by the first past the post system. Since the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 General election]], Edinburgh is represented by four [[Scottish Labour|Labour]] MPs ([[Tracy Gilbert]] in Edinburgh North and Leith, [[Chris Murray (politician)|Chris Murray]] in Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, [[Ian Murray (Scottish politician)|Ian Murray]] in Edinburgh South, and [[Scott Arthur]] in Edinburgh South West), and one [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrat]] MP in Edinburgh West ([[Christine Jardine]]).
{{clear right}}

==Demography==
{{main|Demographics of Edinburgh}}

===Current===
[[File:Edinburgh population density map, 2011 census.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Population density map]]
The most recent official population estimates ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}}) are{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Edinburgh}} for the locality (includes [[Currie, Edinburgh|Currie]]),<ref name="NRS Locality Estimate"/> and{{Scottish settlement population|Name|POP=Edinburgh}} for the Edinburgh settlement (includes [[Musselburgh]]).<ref name="NRS Locality Estimate" />

Edinburgh has a high proportion of young adults, with 19.5% of the population in their 20s (exceeded only by Aberdeen) and 15.2% in their 30s which is the highest in Scotland. The proportion of Edinburgh's population born in the UK fell from 92% to 84% between 2001 and 2011, while the proportion of White Scottish-born fell from 78% to 70%. Of those Edinburgh residents born in the UK, 335,000 or 83% were born in Scotland, with 58,000 or 14% being born in England.<ref name="edinburgh.gov.uk">{{Cite report |title=2011 Census Edinburgh: Topic summary: Ethnicity and related themes: ethnic group, country of birth, national identity, age and year of arrival in the UK, religion, languages |date=November 2013 |publisher=Planning Information, Planning and Building Standards, Services for Communities, The City of Edinburgh Council |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11895/census_2011-ethnicity_and_related_themes_ethnic_group_country_of_birth_national_identity_religion_languages_etc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194252/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11895/census_2011-ethnicity_and_related_themes_ethnic_group_country_of_birth_national_identity_religion_languages_etc |archive-date=2 January 2014 |access-date=29 December 2013 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" width="100%"
|+ Demographics of Edinburgh by ethnic group
! rowspan="2" |Ethnic group
! colspan="2" |1991<ref name=":412">As UK Census data post 2001 is unavailable through the ONS website, it has been [https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata/censusdata18011991 recommended] to use archival census collection websites to obtain data. Data is taken from United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/index.htm Casweb Data services] of the United Kingdom [http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/step1.cfm 1991 Census on Ethnic Data for Scotland.] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405213012/http://casweb.ukdataservice.ac.uk/step1.cfm |date=5 April 2022 }} (Table 6)</ref><ref name=":422">{{Cite report |publisher=Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; General Register Office for Scotland; Registrar General for Northern Ireland |date=1997 |title=1991 Census aggregate data. UK Data Service |edition=1997 |doi=10.5257/census/aggregate-1991-1 |author1=Office for National Statistics |author2=National Records of Scotland |author3=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency}} This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Census Dissemination Unit |first=Mimas |date=5 May 2011 |title=InFuse |url=https://infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk |language=English }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Council |first=The City of Edinburgh |title=Census 2011 – The Results for Edinburgh – The City of Edinburgh Council |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/2938/census_2011_-_ethnicity_and_related_themes_-_topic_report_for_edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010434/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/2938/census_2011_-_ethnicity_and_related_themes_-_topic_report_for_edinburgh |archive-date=18 December 2018 |access-date=18 January 2019 |website=www.edinburgh.gov.uk }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
! colspan="2" |2022<ref name="2022census_Scot">{{cite web |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/trbdxzme/scotland-s-census-2022-ethnic-group-national-identity-language-and-religion-chart-data.xlsx |title=Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 May 2024 |website=Scotland's Census |publisher=[[National Records of Scotland]] |access-date=21 May 2024 }} [https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/search-by Alternative URL] 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'City of Edinburgh' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people|White]]: Total
!409,044
!97.64%
!430,369
!95.9%
!437,167
!91.7%
!436,742
!84.9%
|-
|White: [[Scottish people|Scottish]]
| –
| –
|354,053
|78.9%
|334,987
|70.2%
|298,533
|58.0%
|-
|White: [[White British|Other British]]
| –
| –
|51,407
|11.4%
|56,132
|11.7%
|69,829
|13.6%
|-
|White: [[Irish Briton|Irish]]
|5,518
|1.31%
|6,470
|1.4%
|8,603
|1.8%
|10,326
|2.0%
|-
|White: [[Irish Traveller|Gypsy/Traveller]]{{efn|name=auto|New category created for the 2011 census}}
| –
| –
| –
| –
|388
| –
|256
| –
|-
|White: [[White Polish|Polish]]{{efn|name=auto}}
| –
| –
| –
| –
|12,820
|2.68%
|16,351
|3.18%
|-
|White: [[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other]]
| –
| –
|18,439
|4.1%
|24,237
|5.1%
|41,449
|8.1%
|-
![[Asian people|Asian]], [[Asian-Scots|Asian Scottish]] or [[British Asian|Asian British]]: Total
!6,979
!1.66%
!11,600
!2.5%
!26,264
!5.5%
!44,070
!8.6%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Indian|Indian]]
|1,176
|0.28%
|2,384
|0.53%
|6,470
|1.35%
|12,414
|2.41%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Pakistani|Pakistani]]
|2,625
|0.62%
|3,928
|0.87%
|5,858
|1.22%
|7,454
|1.45%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshi|Bangladeshi]]
|328
| –
|636
|0.14%
|1,277
|0.26%
|2,685
|0.52%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|1,940
|0.46%
|3,532
|0.78%
|8,076
|1.69%
|15,076
|2.93%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Asian|Asian Other]]
|910
|0.21%
|1,201
|0.26%
|4,583
|0.96%
|6,441
|1.25%
|-
![[Black people|Black]], [[Black Scottish people|Black Scottish]] or [[Black British]]{{efn|Category restructured for the 2011 census}}
!1,171
!0.3%
!1,577
!0.3%
!5,505
!1.2%
!10,881
!2.1%
|-
![[Black people|African]]: Total
!603
!-
!1,285
!0.2%
!4,474
!0.9%
!9,462
!1.84%
|-
|African: [[Black people|African]], [[Black Scottish people|African Scottish]] or [[Black British|African British]]
|603
| –
|1,285
|0.2%
|4,364
|0.91%
|809
|0.16%
|-
|African: [[Black British|Other African]]
| –
| –
| –
| –
|110
| –
|8,653
|1.68%
|-
![[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]] or [[Black British|Black]]: Total
!568
!–
!292
!–
!1,031
!0.2%
!1,419
!0.3%
|-
|[[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]]
|175
| –
|292
| –
|505
|0.1%
|477
|0.1%
|-
|[[Black British|Black]]
| –
| –
| –
| –
|403
| –
|80
| –
|-
|Caribbean or Black: [[Other Black|Other]]
|393
| –
| –
| –
|123
| –
|862
|0.17%
|-
![[British Mixed|Mixed or multiple ethnic groups]]: Total
!–
!–
!2,776
!0.6%
!4,087
!0.8%
!12,882
!2.5%
|-
!Other: Total
!1,720
!0.41%
!2,047
!0.45%
!3,603
!0.8%
!9,966
!1.9%
|-
|Other: [[British Arabs|Arab]]{{efn|name=auto}}
| –
| –
| –
| –
|2,500
|0.52%
|4,119
|0.8%
|-
|Other: Any other ethnic group
|1,720
|0.41%
|2,047
|0.45%
|1,103
|0.23%
|5,849
|1.14%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total:
!418,914
!100%
!448,624
!100%
!476,626
!100%
!514,543
!100%
|}Some 16,000 people or 3.2% of the city's population are of [[White Polish|Polish]] descent. 77,800 people or 15.1% of Edinburgh's population class themselves as Non-White, which is an increase from 8.2% in 2011 and 4% in 2001. Of the Non-White population, the largest group by far is [[Asian-Scots|Asian]], totalling about 44 thousand people. Within the Asian population, people of [[British Chinese|Chinese]] descent are now the largest sub-group, with 15,076 people, amounting to about 2.9% of the city's total population. The city's population of [[British Indian|Indian]] descent amounts to 12,414 (2.4% of the total population), while there are some 7,454 of [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]] descent (1.5% of the total population). Although they account for only 2,685 people or 0.5% of the city's population, Edinburgh has the highest number and proportion of people of [[British Bangladeshi|Bangladeshi]] descent in Scotland. Close to 12,000 people were born in African countries predominantly in [[Nigeria]] and [[South Africa]] (2.3% of the total population) and over 13,000 in the Americas. With the notable exception of Inner London, Edinburgh has a higher number of people born in the United States (over 6,500) than any other city in the UK.<ref name="2022census_Scot"/>

The proportion of people residing in Edinburgh born outside the UK was 23.5% in 2022, compared with 15.9% in 2011 and 8.3% in 2001. Below are the largest overseas-born groups in Edinburgh according to the 2022 census, alongside the two previous censuses.

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:center; " | Place of birth
! scope="col" style="text-align:center; " | 2022<ref name="CountryBirth_22">{{cite web |title=Table UV204 - Country of birth: Country by Country of Birth by Individuals |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/topics/list?topic=Ethnicity,%20Identity,%20Language%20and%20Religion&categoryId=4 |publisher=National Records of Scotland |access-date=24 May 2024 }} '2022' > 'City of Edinburgh' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Country of birth: UV204'</ref>
! scope="col" style="text-align:center; " | 2011<ref name="edinburgh.gov.uk"/>
! scope="col" style="text-align:center; " | 2001<ref>{{cite web |title=Table UV08 - Country of birth: Final council area/LAD by Country of Birth by Person and Termtime Address Indicator |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/topics/list?topic=Ethnicity,%20Identity,%20Language%20and%20Religion&categoryId=4 |publisher=National Records of Scotland |access-date=24 May 2024 }} '2001' > 'All of Scotland' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Country of birth: UV204'</ref>
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | [[Poles in the United Kingdom|Poland]]
| 13,842
| 11,651
| 416
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| India
| 9,445
| 4,888
| 1,733
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| Mainland China{{efn|This figure does not include [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]].}}
| 8,229
| 4,188
| 978
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Americans in the United Kingdom|United States]]
| 6,539
| 3,715
| 2,184
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Italians in the United Kingdom|Italy]]
| 4,885
| 1,716
| 1,257
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Spaniards in the United Kingdom|Spain]]
| 4,837
| 2,011
| 1,058
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Irish people in Great Britain|Ireland]]
| 4,774
| 4,743
| 3,324
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Germans in the United Kingdom|Germany]]
| 3,843
| 3,526
| 2,760
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|  [[Hong Kongers in the United Kingdom|Hong Kong]]
| 3,556
| 1,622
| 1,416
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| Pakistan
| 3,220
| 2,472
| 1,663
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|  [[Nigerians in the United Kingdom|Nigeria]]
| 2,978
| 1,186
| 231
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[French migration to the United Kingdom|France]]
| 2,973
| 2,039
| 1,412
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[South Africans in the United Kingdom|South Africa]]
| 2,464
| 1,824
| 1,331
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Greeks in the United Kingdom|Greece]]
| 2,377
| 992
| 575
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Australians in the United Kingdom|Australia]]
| 2,189
| 2,086
| 2,012
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| [[Canadians in the United Kingdom|Canada]]
| 2,079
| 1,760
| 1,332
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"| '''Overall – all overseas-born'''
! 120,978
! 75,698
! 37,420
|-
|}

===Historical===
{{Historical populations
|title=Historical population
|type=Edinburgh
|1801|82,560
|1811|102,987
|1821|138,235
|1831|161,909
|1841|166,450
|1851|193,929
|1901|303,638
|1911|320,318
|1921|420,264
|1931|439,010
|1951|466,761
|source =<br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh ScoP through timePopulation Table View |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105250/cube/TOT_POP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311192720/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10105250/cube/TOT_POP |archive-date=11 March 2016 |access-date=11 March 2016 |website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk }}</ref>
}}
A census by the Edinburgh presbytery in 1592 recorded a population of 8,003 adults spread equally north and south of the High Street which runs along the spine of the ridge sloping down from the Castle.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lynch |first=Michael |title=The Oxford Companion to Scottish History |publisher=OUP Oxford |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-969305-4 |page=219 }}</ref> In the 18th and 19th centuries, the population expanded rapidly, rising from 49,000 in 1751 to 136,000 in 1831, primarily due to migration from rural areas.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|9}} As the population grew, problems of overcrowding in the Old Town, particularly in the cramped [[tenement]]s that lined the present-day Royal Mile and the [[Cowgate]], were exacerbated.<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|9}} Poor sanitary arrangements resulted in a high incidence of disease,<ref name="Edwards2005" />{{rp|9}} with outbreaks of [[cholera]] occurring in 1832, 1848, and 1866.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century |publisher=J & R Allan Ltd. |year=1967 |editor-last=Gilbert |editor-first=W M |location=Edinburgh |pages=95, 120, 140 |orig-year=1901 }}</ref>

The construction of the New Town from 1767 onwards witnessed the migration of the professional and business classes from the difficult living conditions in the Old Town to the lower-density, higher quality surroundings taking shape on land to the north.
<ref name="etmoac46">{{Cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Brian |title=Edinburgh: The Making of a Capital City |last2=Jenkins |first2=Paul |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7486-1868-2 |page=46 }}</ref> Expansion southwards from the Old Town saw more tenements being built in the 19th century, giving rise to [[Victorian era|Victorian]] suburbs such as [[Dalry, Edinburgh|Dalry]], Newington, Marchmont and Bruntsfield.<ref name="etmoac46" />

Early 20th-century population growth coincided with lower-density suburban development. As the city expanded to the south and west, detached and semi-detached villas with large gardens replaced tenements as the predominant building style. Nonetheless, the 2001 census revealed that over 55% of Edinburgh's population were still living in tenements or blocks of flats, a figure in line with other Scottish cities, but much higher than other British cities, and even central London.<ref name="dwellings">{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Comparisons – Dwellings |url=http://download.edinburgh.gov.uk/Census_2001_City_Comparisons/CCTable4Dwellings.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318032701/http://download.edinburgh.gov.uk/Census_2001_City_Comparisons/CCTable4Dwellings.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2009 |access-date=8 February 2009 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council }}</ref>

From the early to mid 20th century, the growth in population, together with slum clearance in the Old Town and other areas, such as [[Dumbiedykes]], [[Leith]], and [[Fountainbridge]], led to the creation of new estates such as [[Stenhouse, Edinburgh|Stenhouse]] and [[Saughton]], [[Craigmillar]] and [[Niddrie, Edinburgh|Niddrie]], [[Pilton, Edinburgh|Pilton]] and [[Muirhouse]], [[Piershill]], and [[Sighthill, Edinburgh|Sighthill]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND |url=http://www.localhistories.org/edinburgh.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117002911/http://localhistories.org/edinburgh.html |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=localhistories.org }}</ref>

===Religion===
[[File:St. Giles, Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|The High Kirk of Edinburgh, also known as [[St Giles' Cathedral]]]]
As per the 2022 census, 13% of the population belonged to the Church of Scotland and 10% to the Catholic Church.<ref>[https://ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TIS/article/download/2804/2138/10932 Religion in Scotland’s Census 2001–2022]</ref>

[[Saint Giles]] is historically the patron saint of Edinburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Giles Cathedral |url=http://www.edinburghnotes.com/attractions/st-giles.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928031252/http://www.edinburghnotes.com/attractions/st-giles.html |archive-date=28 September 2012 |access-date=14 February 2013 |publisher=edinburghnotes.com }}</ref> [[St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh|St Cuthbert's]], situated at the west end of Princes Street Gardens in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle and St Giles' can lay claim to being the oldest Christian sites in the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Cuthbert's History |url=http://www.st-cuthberts.net/kirkhist.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516183328/http://www.st-cuthberts.net/kirkhist.php |archive-date=16 May 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=[[The Parish Church of St Cuthbert]] }}</ref> though the present St Cuthbert's, designed by [[Hippolyte Blanc]], was dedicated in 1894.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Cuthbert's History |url=http://www.st-cuthberts.net/kirk19th.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310133048/http://www.st-cuthberts.net/kirk19th.php |archive-date=10 March 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=The Parish Church of St Cuthbert }}</ref>

Other Church of Scotland churches include [[Greyfriars Kirk]], the [[Canongate Kirk]], [[Edinburgh: New Town Church|The New Town Church]] and the [[Edinburgh Barclay Church|Barclay Church]]. The [[Church of Scotland Offices]] are in Edinburgh,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2010 |title=The Church of Scotland |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/contact_us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015120414/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/contact_us/ |archive-date=15 October 2012 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=Church of Scotland }}</ref> as is the [[General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland|Assembly Hall]] where the annual [[General Assembly of the Church of Scotland|General Assembly]] is held.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Assembly |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/general_assembly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015120459/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/general_assembly |archive-date=15 October 2012 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=Church of Scotland }}</ref>

The [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh]] has 27 parishes across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parish List |url=http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=278&Itemid=59 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117042844/http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=278&Itemid=59 |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh]] }}</ref> The [[archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh]] has his official residence in [[Greenhill, Edinburgh|Greenhill]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Bennet's Chapel, Edinburgh |url=http://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/st-bennets-chapel-edinburgh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006162020/http://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/st-bennets-chapel-edinburgh |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=29 September 2014 |publisher=Scotland's Churches Trust }}</ref> the diocesan offices are in nearby [[Marchmont]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=268&Itemid=69 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117042656/http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=268&Itemid=69 |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=Archdiocese-edinburgh.com }}</ref> and its cathedral is [[St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Catholic)|St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh]]. The [[Diocese of Edinburgh]] of the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] has over 50 churches, half of them in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who we are |url=http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/index.php/who_we_are |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722013000/http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/index.php/who_we_are |archive-date=22 July 2012 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=[[Diocese of Edinburgh]] }}</ref> Its centre is the late 19th-century [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic]] style [[St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Episcopal)|St Mary's Cathedral]] in the West End's Palmerston Place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh |url=http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/index.php/where_we_are/directory_entry/st_marys_cathedral_edinburgh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006121419/http://www.edinburgh.anglican.org/index.php/where_we_are/directory_entry/st_marys_cathedral_edinburgh |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=[[Diocese of Edinburgh]] }}</ref> Orthodox Christianity is represented by Pan, [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Romanian]] and [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian]] Orthodox churches, including [[St Andrew's Orthodox Church, Edinburgh|St Andrew's Orthodox Church]], part of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edinburgh-orthodox.org.uk/ |title=The Orthodox Community of Saint Andrew in Edinburgh |publisher=Ecumenical Patriarchate Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain |access-date=5 October 2024 }}</ref> There are several independent churches in the city, both [[Catholic]] and [[Protestant]], including [[Charlotte Chapel (Edinburgh)|Charlotte Chapel]], [[Carrubbers Christian Centre]], [[Bellevue Chapel]] and [[Sacred Heart, Edinburgh|Sacred Heart]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independent Churches |url=http://scottishchristian.com/churches/independent-churches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525072933/http://www.scottishchristian.com/churches/independent-churches/ |archive-date=25 May 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=scottishchristian.com }}</ref> There are also churches belonging to [[Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh|Quakers]], [[Christadelphians]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Christadelphian Church |url=http://www.searchforhope.org/edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826024422/http://www.searchforhope.org/edinburgh |archive-date=26 August 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=searchforhope.org }}</ref> [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]], [[Church of Christ, Scientist]], [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) and [[Elim Pentecostal Church]].

{{bar box
|title=Religion of Edinburgh residents, 2022
|caption= Source: 2022 census<ref name="Religion_22">{{cite web |title=Council Area 2019 by Religion by Individuals |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/location/topics/list?topic=Ethnic%20group,%20national%20identity,%20language%20and%20religion&categoryId=1 |publisher=[[National Records of Scotland]] |access-date=24 May 2024 }} City of Edinburgh > Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion > Religion UV205</ref>
|titlebar=#ccc
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|No religion]]|#ccf|56.3}}
{{bar percent|Christian|#ccf|30.1}}
{{bar percent|Religion not stated|#ccf|6.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Scotland|Muslim]]|#ccf|3.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Scotland|Hindu]]|#ccf|1.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism in Scotland|Buddhist]]|#ccf|0.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Modern paganism in the United Kingdom|Pagan]]|#ccf|0.3}}
{{bar percent|Other religion|#ccf|0.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhism in Scotland|Sikh]]|#ccf|0.3}}
{{bar percent|[[History of the Jews in Scotland|Jewish]]|#ccf|0.2}}
}}

Muslims have several places of worship across the city. [[Edinburgh Central Mosque]], the largest Islamic place of worship, is located in Potterrow on the city's Southside, near Bristo Square. Construction was largely financed by a gift from King [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=King Fahd Mosque and Islamic Centre |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst8014.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021200921/http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst8014.html |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=13 February 2013 |publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland }}</ref> and was completed in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mosques in Edinburgh around edinburgh area |url=http://www.mosquedirectory.co.uk/search_mosque/mosquesearch-borough.php?mosque=edinburgh&page=1&borough=Edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916222221/http://www.mosquedirectory.co.uk/search_mosque/mosquesearch-borough.php?mosque=edinburgh&page=1&borough=Edinburgh |archive-date=16 September 2011 |access-date=24 August 2011 |publisher=Mosquedirectory.co.uk }}</ref> There is also an [[Ahmadiyya]] Muslim community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Qiadat Holds Holy Qur'an Exhibition |url=http://www.khuddam.org/khuddam/regions/scotland/qiadat/edinburgh/2012/02/10/edinburgh-qiadat-holds-holy-qur-an-exhibition-0-67502/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021112604/http://www.khuddam.org/khuddam/regions/scotland/qiadat/edinburgh/2012/02/10/edinburgh-qiadat-holds-holy-qur-an-exhibition-0-67502/ |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=30 March 2014 |publisher=khuddam.org }}</ref> The first recorded presence of a [[History of the Jews in Scotland#17th–19th centuries|Jewish community]] in Edinburgh dates back to the late 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Jewish History |url=http://www.ehcong.com/index.php/edinburgh-jewish-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210021322/http://www.ehcong.com/index.php/edinburgh-jewish-history |archive-date=10 February 2015 |access-date=10 February 2015 |publisher=Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation }}</ref> Edinburgh's [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogue, opened in 1932, is in Salisbury Road and can accommodate a congregation of 2000. A [[Liberal Judaism (United Kingdom)|Liberal Jewish congregation]] also meets in the city. A [[Sikh]] [[gurdwara]] and a [[Hindu]] [[mandir]] are located in Leith.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cultural centre to get £300,000 upgrade |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/cultural-centre-get-ps300000-upgrade-1708954 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=16 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sikh temple expands free food sites to help hungry |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/sikh-temple-expands-free-food-sites-help-hungry-1512842 |website=www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com |date=12 February 2015 }}</ref> The city also has a [[Brahma Kumaris]] centre in the Polwarth area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brahma Kumaris Official Website – Around the UK |url=http://www.bkwsu.org/uk/whatson/arounduk?org=158 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302024748/http://www.bkwsu.org/uk/whatson/arounduk?org=158 |archive-date=2 March 2013 |access-date=13 February 2013 |publisher=Bkwsu.org }}</ref>

The Edinburgh Buddhist Centre, run by the [[Triratna Buddhist Community]], formerly situated in Melville Terrace, now runs sessions at the Healthy Life Centre, Bread Street.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2013 |title=Edinburgh Buddhist Centre · Buddhism and Meditation |url=http://www.edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517085739/http://www.edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk/ |archive-date=17 May 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014 |publisher=Edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk }}</ref> Other Buddhist traditions are represented by groups which meet in the capital: the Community of Interbeing (followers of [[Thich Nhat Hanh]]), [[Rigpa]], Samye Dzong, [[Theravadin]], [[Pure Land Buddhism|Pure Land]] and [[Shambhala Buddhism|Shambala]]. There is a [[Sōtō Zen]] Priory in Portobello<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Zen Buddhism |url=http://www.portobellobuddhist.org.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823094213/http://www.portobellobuddhist.org.uk/ |archive-date=23 August 2011 |access-date=24 August 2011 |publisher=Portobellobuddhist.org.uk }}</ref> and a Theravadin Thai Buddhist Monastery in Slateford Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Groups – Edinburgh Buddhist sangha, meditation |url=http://www.mysangha.org.uk/3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302034158/http://www.mysangha.org.uk/3.html |archive-date=2 March 2013 |access-date=13 February 2013 |publisher=Mysangha.org.uk }}</ref> Edinburgh is home to a [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]] community,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview (Edinburgh Baha'i Community UK) |url=http://www.edin-bahai.org.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919163549/http://www.edin-bahai.org.uk/ |archive-date=19 September 2011 |access-date=24 August 2011 |publisher=Edin-bahai.org.uk }}</ref> and a [[Theosophical Society]] meets in Great King Street.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theosophical Society of Scotland Homepage |url=http://theosophical-society-scotland.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220050518/http://theosophical-society-scotland.org/ |archive-date=20 December 2012 |access-date=13 February 2013 |publisher=Theosophical Society of Scotland }}</ref> Edinburgh has an Inter-Faith Association.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=About Us |url=https://www.edinburghinterfaith.com/aboutus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051244/https://www.edinburghinterfaith.com/aboutus |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=21 December 2017 |publisher=Edinburgh Interfaith Association }}</ref>

Edinburgh has over 39 [[List of graveyards and cemeteries in Edinburgh|graveyards and cemeteries]], many of which are listed and of historical character, including several former church burial grounds.<ref name="Golledge">{{Cite book |last=Golledge |first=Charlotte |title=The Graveyards and Cemeteries of Edinburgh |publisher=Amberley Publishing |year=2020 |isbn=978-1445694245 }}</ref> Examples include [[Old Calton Burial Ground]], [[Greyfriars Kirkyard]] and [[Dean Cemetery]].<ref name="OldCarltonBurial">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=117126 |num2=NT27SE 1331 |desc=Edinburgh, Waterloo Place, Old Calton Burial Ground |access-date=16 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Greyfriars">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=52398 |num2=NT27SE 354.1 |desc=Edinburgh, Candlemaker Row, Greyfriars Church, Churchyard |access-date=16 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="DeanCemetery">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=119274 |num2=NT27SW 631 |desc=Edinburgh, 70 Belford Road, Dean Cemetery And War Memorial |access-date=16 May 2021 }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Edinburgh}}

{{further|Economy of Scotland}}

[[File:Museum on the mound, Edinburgh (42124584671).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Bank of Scotland]]'s head office in central Edinburgh]]
[[File:20231022 Rockstar North.jpg|thumb|right|Headquarters of [[Rockstar North]] situated in Edinburgh]]

Edinburgh has the second-strongest{{Vague|reason=Measured by what metric(s)?|date=September 2025}} economy of any city in the United Kingdom behind [[London]] and the highest percentage of professionals in the UK with 43% of the population holding a degree-level or professional qualification.<ref name="Work In Edinburgh - Jobs, Employment, Careers And Recruitment Information">{{Cite web |title=Working in Edinburgh |url=http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/live/working_in_edinburgh.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224081523/http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/live/working_in_edinburgh.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2013 |access-date=24 March 2013 }}</ref> According to the Centre for International Competitiveness, it is the second most competitive major city in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The UK Competitive Index 2023 |url=https://cforic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UKCI-2023.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229074745/https://cforic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UKCI-2023.pdf |archive-date=29 December 2025 |access-date=22 January 2026 |publisher=Centre for International Competitiveness }}</ref> In 2023, its [[gross domestic product per capita]] of £69,809 surpassed London's for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Franklin |first1=Beth |title=Edinburgh economy outperforms London for first time, new data reveals |url=https://news.stv.tv/east-central/edinburgh-economy-outperforms-london-for-first-time-new-data-reveals |work=STV News |date=27 June 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Regional gross domestic product: all ITL regions - 1998 to 2023 edition of this dataset |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/datasets/regionalgrossdomesticproductallnutslevelregions/1998to2023/regionalgrossdomesticproductgdpbyallinternationalterritoriallevelitlregions.xlsx |at=Table 7: Gross domestic product (GDP) per head at current market prices, pounds |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=27 June 2025 }}</ref> It also had the highest [[gross value added]] per capita in Scotland, at £65,500 in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh by Numbers 2025 |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/30669/edinburgh-by-numbers-2021 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council |access-date=22 September 2026}}</ref> It was named European Best Large City of the Future for Foreign Direct Investment and Best Large City for Foreign Direct Investment Strategy in the ''[[Financial Times]]'' magazine in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Intelligence |first1=fDi |title=European Cities and Regions of the Future 2012/13 |url=https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/analysis/european-cities-and-regions-of-the-future-201213-38267 |website=www.fdiintelligence.com |date=13 February 2012 |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918041112/https://www.fdiintelligence.com/content/analysis/european-cities-and-regions-of-the-future-201213-38267 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As the centre of [[Scottish Government|Scotland's government]] and [[Scots law|legal system]], the public sector plays a central role in Edinburgh's economy. Many departments of the Scottish Government are in the city, including the headquarters of the government at [[St Andrew's House]], the official residence of the [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] at [[Bute House]] and Scottish Government offices at [[Victoria Quay, Edinburgh|Victoria Quay]]. Other major sectors across the city include administrative and support services, the education sector, public administration and defence, the health and social care sector, scientific and technical services, and construction and manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Labour Market Profile - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157416/report.aspx#tabempunemp |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk |access-date=16 July 2024 }}</ref> When the £1.3bn Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal |url=https://esescityregiondeal.org.uk/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal |language=en-GB }}</ref> was signed in 2018, the region's Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution to the Scottish economy was cited as £33bn, or 33% of the country's output. The City Region Deal funds a range of "Data Driven Innovation" hubs which are using data to innovate in the region, recognising the region's strengths in technology and data science, the growing importance of the data economy, and the need to tackle the digital skills gap, as a route to social and economic prosperity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Data-Driven Innovation {{!}} Innovation & Collaboration |url=https://ddi.ac.uk/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=DDI |language=en-GB }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=City Region Deal {{!}} About Us |url=https://ddi.ac.uk/about-us/eses-city-deal/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=DDI |language=en-GB }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/article/edinburgh-and-south-east-city-region-deal-agreement-signals-green-light-for-1-3bn-investment |title=Edinburgh and South East City Region Deal agreement signals green light for £1.3bn investment |first=Scottish Construction |last=Now |website=Scottish Construction Now |date=7 August 2018 }}</ref>

Tourism is also an important element in the city's economy. As a World Heritage Site, tourists visit historical sites such as Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Old and New Towns. Their numbers are augmented in August each year during the [[Edinburgh Festival]]s, which attract over 4&nbsp;million visitors, and generate over £400M for the local economy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Chris |date=15 July 2025 |title=Edinburgh Festivals: Cultural and Economic Contribution |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-10-08/debates/1C6FE877-C672-43BD-B9D1-74929C35D403/EdinburghFestivalsCulturalAndEconomicContribution |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=hansard.parliament.uk |language=en }}</ref> In May 2024, unemployment in Edinburgh was at 3.5%, in line with the Scottish average of 3.7%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2024 |title=The City of Edinburgh's employment, unemployment and economic inactivity - ONS |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/labourmarketlocal |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=www.ons.gov.uk |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=People not in work |url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-labour-market-insights-february-2025/pages/people-not-in-work/ |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=www.gov.scot |language=en }}</ref> In 2022 Edinburgh was the second most visited city in the United Kingdom, behind London, by overseas visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tourism data reveals how many overseas visitors came to Scotland in 2022 |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23549218.edinburgh-second-most-visited-uk-city-2022-tourism-data-shows/ |website=The National |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=en |date=26 May 2023 }}</ref> 

In July 2026 Edinburgh introduced a visitor levy, popularly known as a tourist tax, the first city in Scotland to do so. The tax is charged at a rate of 5% on overnight stays, in hotels, self-catering accommodation, short-term holiday lets such as [[Airbnb]], bed and breakfasts, guest houses and hostels. It is only payable for the first five nights of the stay.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Delaney |first=James |date=23 July 2026 |title=Tourist Tax introduced in Edinburgh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgl8j37839o |url-status=live |access-date=24 July 2026}}</ref>

==Culture==
===Festivals and celebrations===
====Edinburgh festivals====
{{Main|List of Edinburgh festivals}}

[[File:Edinburgh Tattoo 2010 (4946272332).jpg|thumb|right|[[Edinburgh Castle]] illuminated during the [[Edinburgh Military Tattoo]]]]

The city hosts a series of festivals that run between the end of July and early September each year. The best known of these events are the [[Edinburgh Fringe|Edinburgh Festival Fringe]], the [[Edinburgh International Festival]], the [[Edinburgh Military Tattoo]], the [[Edinburgh Art Festival]], the [[Edinburgh International Book Festival]] and [[Edinburgh International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Edinburgh Festival & Fringe Festival |url=http://www.timeout.com/edinburgh/features/240/the-edinburgh-festival-fringe-festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120194742/http://www.timeout.com/edinburgh/features/240/the-edinburgh-festival-fringe-festival |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=timeout.com }}</ref>

The longest established of these festivals is the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) and Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). Both festivals were first held in 1947.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pamment |first=Charles |date=28 July 2006 |title=The arts go on show in Edinburgh |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5140294.stm |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111165506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5140294.stm#international |archive-date=11 January 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 |url=https://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/festivals/edinburgh-international-film-festival |access-date=30 October 2025 |website=www.edinburghfestivalcity.com |language=en }}</ref> EIF consists mainly of a programme of high-profile theatre productions and classical music performances, featuring international directors, conductors, theatre companies and orchestras.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2010 |title='New world' theme for Edinburgh International Festival |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8570849.stm |access-date=12 January 2011 }}</ref> Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world's oldest continually running [[film festival]]. EIFF is globally renowned for world, international and UK premieres, high-profile film talent, significant filmmaking competitions and prominent industry guests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scotland |first=Screen |date=26 August 2025 |title=Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 draws to a close and continues to scale up, building creative in-roads with filmmakers and industry |url=https://www.screen.scot/news/2025/august/edinburgh-international-film-festival-2025-draws-to-a-close-and-continues-to-scale-up-building-creative-in-roads-with-filmmakers-and-industry |access-date=30 October 2025 |website=Screen Scotland |language=en }}</ref>

The Edinburgh Fringe, which began as a programme of marginal acts alongside the "official" Festival, has become the world's largest performing arts festival. In 2023, over 3700 different shows were staged in 300 venues across the city.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Brian |date=16 November 2024 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe threat as impact of soaring 300% accommodation cost rise revealed |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festival-fringe-accommodation-threat-costs-fears-4869104 |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=The Scotsman |language=en }}</ref> Comedy has become one of the mainstays of the Fringe, with many comedians getting their first 'break' there, often by being chosen to receive the [[Edinburgh Comedy Awards|Edinburgh Comedy Award]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 2010 |title=Kane wins Edinburgh comedy award |publisher=BBC News Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11114711 |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126153906/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11114711 |archive-date=26 January 2011 }}</ref> The Edinburgh Military Tattoo occupies the Castle Esplanade every night for three weeks each August, with massed [[pipe band]]s and [[military band]]s drawn from around the world. Performances end with a short fireworks display.

As well as the summer festivals, [[List of Edinburgh festivals|many other festivals are held during the rest of the year]], including [[Edinburgh International Science Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Science Festivals |url=http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/Scienceengagement/sciencefestivals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723145302/http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/science/Scienceengagement/sciencefestivals |archive-date=23 July 2011 |access-date=12 January 2011 |publisher=The Scottish Government }}</ref> The summer of 2020 was the first time in its 70-year history that the Edinburgh festival was not run, being cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 2020 |title=Edinburgh festivals cancelled due to coronavirus |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-52121586 |access-date=11 August 2020 }}</ref> This affected many of the tourist-focused businesses in Edinburgh which depend on the various festivals over summer to return an annual profit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe companies plead for public funding bail-out |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/edinburgh-festival-fringe-companies-plead-public-funding-bail-out-2865366 |access-date=11 August 2020 |website=www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com |date=27 May 2020 |language=en }}</ref>

====Edinburgh's Hogmanay====
{{Main|Edinburgh's Hogmanay}}

[[File:Edinburgh Hogmanay Longship.jpg|thumb|A Viking [[longship]] being burnt during Edinburgh's annual [[Hogmanay]] celebrations]]
The annual Edinburgh [[Hogmanay]] celebration was originally an informal street party focused on the [[Tron Kirk]] in the Old Town's High Street. Since 1993, it has been officially organised with the focus moved to Princes Street. In 1996, over 300,000 people attended, leading to ticketing of the main street party in later years up to a limit of 100,000 tickets.<ref name="Hogmanay">{{Cite web |date=10 May 2006 |title=Hogmanay-the Scottish New Year |url=https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A10358165 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102131548/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A10358165 |archive-date=2 January 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=BBC }}</ref> Hogmanay now covers four days of processions, concerts and fireworks, with the street party beginning on Hogmanay. Alternative tickets are available for entrance into the Princes Street Gardens concert and [[Cèilidh]], where well-known artists perform and ticket holders can participate in traditional Scottish cèilidh dancing. The event attracts thousands of people from all over the world.<ref name="Hogmanay" />

====Beltane and other festivals====
On the night of 30 April the [[Beltane Fire Festival]] takes place on Calton Hill, involving a procession followed by scenes inspired by [[paganism|pagan]] old spring fertility celebrations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jamieson |first=Alastair |date=19 February 2004 |title=Pagan fire festival reignites with a fee |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Pagan-fire-festival-reignites-with.2504759.jp |access-date=13 January 2011 }}</ref> At the beginning of October each year the [[Navratri|Dussehra]] Hindu Festival is also held on Calton Hill.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2008 |title=Festival is flaming marvellous |work=[[The Scotsman]] |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/festival-is-flaming-marvellous-1-1274662 |url-status=live |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513234402/http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/festival-is-flaming-marvellous-1-1274662 |archive-date=13 May 2013 }}</ref>

===Music, theatre and film===
[[File:NT2473 - The Usher Hall in Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|The [[Usher Hall]]]]
Outside the festival season, Edinburgh supports several theatres and production companies. The [[Royal Lyceum Theatre]] has its own company, while the [[King's Theatre, Edinburgh|King's Theatre]], [[Edinburgh Festival Theatre]] and [[Edinburgh Playhouse]] stage large touring shows. The [[Traverse Theatre]] presents a more contemporary repertoire. [[Edinburgh amateur theatre|Amateur theatre companies]] productions are staged at the [[Bedlam Theatre]], [[Church Hill Theatre]] and [[King's Theatre, Edinburgh|King's Theatre]] among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theatres in Edinburgh and the Lothians |url=http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/attractions/theatres |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126002858/http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/attractions/theatres |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=[[VisitScotland]] }}</ref> The [[Usher Hall]] is Edinburgh's premier venue for classical music, as well as occasional popular music concerts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2010 |title=Heritage & Culture |url=http://heritage.scotsman.com/nostalgia/As-the-Capital39s-worldrenowned-concert.6110556.jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304131625/http://heritage.scotsman.com/nostalgia/As-the-Capital39s-worldrenowned-concert.6110556.jp |archive-date=4 March 2010 |access-date=13 January 2011 |website=The Scotsman |location=UK }}</ref> It was the venue for the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1972]]. Other halls staging music and theatre include [[The Hub (Edinburgh)|The Hub]], the [[Assembly Rooms (Edinburgh)|Assembly Rooms]] and the [[Queen's Hall, Edinburgh|Queen's Hall]]. The [[Scottish Chamber Orchestra]] is based in Edinburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Orchestra |url=http://www.sco.org.uk/about-us/about-the-orchestra |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110051059/http://www.sco.org.uk/about-us/about-the-orchestra |archive-date=10 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=[[Scottish Chamber Orchestra]] }}</ref>

[[File:Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Traverse Theatre]]]]

Edinburgh has two repertory cinemas, [[The Cameo, Edinburgh|The Cameo]] and the [[Edinburgh Filmhouse]], as well as the independent [[Dominion Cinema]] and a range of [[multiplex (cinema)|multiplexes]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh venues |url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/venues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225114116/http://edinburghguide.com/venues |archive-date=25 December 2010 |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=Edinburgh Guide.com }}</ref> Large concerts are occasionally staged at [[Murrayfield Stadium]] and [[Meadowbank Stadium]], while mid-sized events take place at smaller venues such as [[Edinburgh Corn Exchange|O2 Academy Edinburgh]]. In 2010, [[PRS for Music]] listed Edinburgh among the UK's top ten 'most musical' cities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 2010 |title=Bristol is UK's 'most musical city' |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7427088/Bristol-is-UKs-most-musical-city.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818051300/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7427088/Bristol-is-UKs-most-musical-city.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 }}</ref> Several city pubs are well known for their live performances of [[folk music]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Searle |first1=Maddy |title=10 of the best live music bars in Edinburgh |url=https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/best-live-music-bars-edinburgh/ |website=[[The Scotsman]] |access-date=23 January 2025 |location=Edinburgh |date=10 February 2017 }}</ref>

Nightclub venues within the city host [[electronic dance music]] events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nightclubs &#124; The Skinny |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/whats-on/edinburgh/nightclubs |website=www.theskinny.co.uk }}</ref>

===Museums, libraries, and galleries===
[[File:National Gallery of Scotland 2005.jpg|thumb|right|[[Scottish National Gallery|National Gallery of Scotland]]]]
[[File:Museum of Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|[[National Museum of Scotland]]]]

Edinburgh has many museums and libraries. These include the [[National Museum of Scotland]], the [[National Library of Scotland]], [[National War Museum]], the [[Museum of Edinburgh]], [[Surgeons' Hall|Surgeons' Hall Museum]], the [[Writers' Museum]], the [[Museum of Childhood (Edinburgh)|Museum of Childhood]] and [[Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh)|Dynamic Earth]]. The [[Museum on the Mound|Museum on The Mound]] has exhibits on money and banking.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirsty Scott |date=12 October 2011 |title=10 of the best museums and galleries in Edinburgh |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/12/top-10-edinburgh-museums-galleries |url-status=live |access-date=10 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216193609/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/12/top-10-edinburgh-museums-galleries |archive-date=16 December 2013 }}</ref> [[Edinburgh Zoo]], covering {{cvt|82|acres|0}} on Corstorphine Hill, is the second most visited paid tourist attraction in Scotland,<ref name="begin">{{Cite web |title=Zoo Beginnings |url=http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/about/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120214828/http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/about/ |archive-date=20 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |website=About the Zoo |publisher=Edinburgh Zoo }}</ref> and was previously home to two [[giant panda]]s, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, on loan from the People's Republic of China. Edinburgh is also home to [[HMY Britannia|The Royal Yacht Britannia]], decommissioned in 1997 and now a five-star visitor attraction and evening events venue permanently berthed at [[Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh|Ocean Terminal]].

Edinburgh contains Scotland's three [[National Galleries Scotland|National Galleries]] of Art as well as smaller art galleries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portrait of the Nation |url=http://www.nationalgalleries.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203081529/http://www.nationalgalleries.org/ |archive-date=3 February 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=National Galleries of Scotland }}</ref> The national collection is housed in the [[Scottish National Gallery]], located on The Mound, comprising the linked National Gallery of Scotland building and the [[Royal Scottish Academy building]]. Contemporary collections are shown in the [[Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art]], which occupies a split site at Belford. The [[Scottish National Portrait Gallery]] on Queen Street focuses on portraits and photography. The council-owned [[City Art Centre]] in Market Street mounts regular art exhibitions. Across the road, [[Fruitmarket Gallery|The Fruitmarket Gallery]] offers world-class exhibitions of contemporary art, featuring work by British and international artists with both emerging and established international reputations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simon Schama's Power of Art |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/powerofart/cities/edinburgh.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827120505/http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/powerofart/cities/edinburgh.shtml |archive-date=27 August 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 }}</ref>

The city hosts several of Scotland's galleries and organisations dedicated to contemporary visual art. Significant strands of this infrastructure include [[Creative Scotland]], [[Edinburgh College of Art]], [[Talbot Rice Gallery]] (University of Edinburgh), [[Collective Gallery]] (based at the [[City Observatory]]) and the [[Edinburgh Annuale]]. Many small private shops/galleries provide space to showcase works from local artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trio grande |date=26 July 2009 |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage-visual-arts/trio-grande-1.820517 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315014944/http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage-visual-arts/trio-grande-1.820517 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=Heraldscotland }}</ref>

===Shopping===
The locale around [[Princes Street]] is the main shopping area in the city centre, with souvenir shops, chain stores such as [[Boots the Chemist]], [[Edinburgh Woollen Mill]], and [[H&M]].<ref name="shopping">{{Cite web |title=Shopping – Edinburgh's Princes Street and other areas |url=http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/shopping/princes-street |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206010939/http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/shopping/princes-street |archive-date=6 February 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=edinburgh.org }}</ref> [[George Street, Edinburgh|George Street]], north of Princes Street, has several upmarket shops and independent stores.<ref name="shopping" /> At the east end of Princes Street, the redeveloped [[St James Quarter]] opened its doors in June 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |first=Phyllis |date=29 June 2021 |title=Retailers |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/06/royal-visit-to-newly-opened-st-james-quarter/ |access-date=27 July 2021 |website=The Edinburgh Reporter |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727083948/https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/06/royal-visit-to-newly-opened-st-james-quarter/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> while next to the [[Balmoral Hotel]] and Waverley Station is [[Waverley Market]]. [[Multrees Walk]] is a pedestrian shopping district, dominated by the presence of [[Harvey Nichols]], and other names including [[Louis Vuitton]], [[Mulberry (company)|Mulberry]] and [[Michael Kors]].<ref name="shopping" />

Edinburgh also has substantial retail parks outside the city centre. These include [[The Gyle Shopping Centre]] and Hermiston Gait in the west of the city, [[Cameron Toll Shopping Centre]], Straiton Retail Park (actually just outside the city, in Midlothian) and [[Fort Kinnaird]] in the south and east, and [[Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh|Ocean Terminal]] in the north on the [[Leith]] waterfront.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retail locations in Edinburgh City Region |url=http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/invest/key_business_sectors/retail/locations.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206212119/http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/invest/key_business_sectors/retail/locations.aspx |archive-date=6 February 2012 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com }}</ref>

==Media==

The main local newspaper is the ''[[Edinburgh Evening News]]''. It is owned and published alongside its sister titles ''[[The Scotsman]]'' and ''[[Scotland on Sunday]]'' by [[JPIMedia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact us |url=http://www.scotsman.com/contact-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127180830/http://www.scotsman.com/contact-us |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |website=[[The Scotsman]] }}</ref> Student newspapers include, ''[[The Journal (student newspaper)|The Journal]]'' Scotland wide Universities, and ''[[The Student (newspaper)|The Student]]'' [[University of Edinburgh]] which was founded in 1887. Community newspapers include ''The Spurtle'' from Broughton, ''Spokes Bulletin'', and ''The Edinburgh Reporter''.

The city has many commercial radio stations including [[Forth 1]], a station which broadcasts mainstream chart music, Greatest Hits Edinburgh on DAB which plays classic hits and Edge Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio Forth |url=http://www.radioforth.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010517052024/http://www.radioforth.com/ |archive-date=17 May 2001 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=radioforth.com }}</ref> [[Capital Scotland]] and [[Heart Scotland]] also have transmitters covering Edinburgh. Along with the UK national radio stations, [[BBC Radio Scotland]] and the Gaelic language service [[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]] are also broadcast. DAB digital radio is broadcast over two local multiplexes. [[BFBS]] Radio broadcasts from studios on the base at Dreghorn Barracks across the city on 98.5FM as part of its UK Bases network. Small-scale DAB started in October 2022 with community stations on board.

Television, along with most radio services, is broadcast to the city from the [[Craigkelly transmitting station]] situated in Fife on the opposite side of the Firth of Forth<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 June 2011 |title=TV digital switchover gets under way in east |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13615253 |url-status=live |access-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604101255/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13615253 |archive-date=4 June 2011 }}</ref> and the [[Black Hill transmitting station]] in [[North Lanarkshire]] to the west. There are no television stations based in the city. Edinburgh Television existed in the late 1990s to early 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute of Local Television – Summerhall TV |url=http://www.summerhall.tv/category/video/archives/institute-of-local-television/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232837/http://www.summerhall.tv/category/video/archives/institute-of-local-television/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |access-date=21 January 2019 }}</ref> and [[STV Edinburgh]] existed from 2015 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New channel STV Edinburgh launches with The Fountainbridge Show |url=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/306300-stv-edinburgh-launches-with-the-fountainbridge-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307204757/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/306300-stv-edinburgh-launches-with-the-fountainbridge-show/ |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=24 January 2019 |website=STV News }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=STV to launch integrated Scottish and international news show |url=https://stv.tv/news/scotland/1367651-stv-to-launch-integrated-scottish-and-international-news-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413001453/https://stv.tv/news/scotland/1367651-stv-to-launch-integrated-scottish-and-international-news-show/ |archive-date=13 April 2019 |access-date=24 January 2019 |website=STV News }}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Edinburgh}}

===Air===
[[File:Edinburgh Airport - geograph.org.uk - 7341978.jpg|thumb|[[Edinburgh Airport]] is the busiest airport in Scotland and [[List of busiest airports in the United Kingdom|sixth busiest in the United Kingdom]].]]

[[Edinburgh Airport]] is Scotland's busiest airport and the principal international gateway to the capital, handling over 14.7&nbsp;million passengers; it was also the [[Busiest airports in the United Kingdom by total passenger traffic|sixth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom]] by total passengers in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A record year |url=http://www.edinburghairport.com/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/a-record-year/ |website=Edinburgh Airport |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805072703/https://www.edinburghairport.com/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/a-record-year/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Airport data 2018 |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/UK-Airport-data/Airport-data-2018/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329195127/https://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/UK-Airport-data/Airport-data-2018/ |archive-date=29 March 2019 |access-date=20 March 2019 |website=UK Civil Aviation Authority }}</ref> In anticipation of rising passenger numbers, the former operator of the airport [[BAA Limited|BAA]] outlined a draft masterplan in 2011 to provide for the expansion of the airfield and the terminal building. In June 2012, [[Global Infrastructure Partners]] purchased the airport for £807 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 April 2012 |title=Edinburgh Airport sold to Global Infrastructure Partners for £807m |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-17814024 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028092931/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-17814024 |archive-date=28 October 2018 }}</ref> The possibility of building a second runway to cope with an increased number of aircraft movements has also been mooted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Airport Masterplan July 2011 |url=http://www.edinburghairport.com/docs/pdfs/edair_masterplan.pdf?sfvrsn=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215121919/http://www.edinburghairport.com/docs/pdfs/edair_masterplan.pdf?sfvrsn=2 |archive-date=15 February 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=Edinburgh Airport }}</ref>

===Buses===
[[File:Lothian bus 1051 servicing route 8 on the North Bridge.jpg|thumb|A Lothian Bus on [[North Bridge, Edinburgh|North Bridge]]]]
Travel in Edinburgh is undertaken predominantly by bus. [[Lothian Buses]], the successor company to Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department, operates the majority of [[public transport bus service|city bus services]] within the city and to surrounding towns and villages, with most routes running via Princes Street. Services further afield operate from the [[Edinburgh bus station]] off [[St Andrew Square, Edinburgh|St Andrew Square]] and Waterloo Place and are operated by [[Stagecoach South Scotland]], [[Scottish Citylink]], [[National Express]] and [[Borders Buses]].

Lothian Buses and [[McGill's Scotland East]] operate the city's branded public [[tour bus service|tour buses]]. The [[night bus]] service and airport buses are mainly operated by Lothian Buses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our company |url=http://lothianbuses.com/about-us/our-company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923002142/http://lothianbuses.com/about-us/our-company/ |archive-date=23 September 2012 |access-date=9 February 2012 |publisher=Lothian Buses }}</ref> In 2019, Lothian Buses recorded 124.2 million passenger journeys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marketing |first=Lothian |title=Lothian Annual Accounts |url=https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2019/06/were-investing-in-our-future/ |access-date=17 February 2022 |website=www.lothianbuses.com |date=13 June 2019 }}</ref>

To tackle [[traffic congestion]], Edinburgh is now served by six [[park & ride]] sites on the periphery of the city at Sheriffhall (in Midlothian), [[Ingliston]], [[Riccarton, Edinburgh|Riccarton]], [[Inverkeithing]] (in Fife), [[Newcraighall]] and [[Straiton, Loanhead|Straiton]] (in Midlothian). A [[Edinburgh congestion charge#Referendum|referendum]] of Edinburgh residents in February 2005 rejected a proposal to introduce [[Edinburgh congestion charge|congestion charging]] in the city.
<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 2005 |title=Edinburgh rejects congestion plan |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4287145.stm |url-status=live |access-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201072846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4287145.stm |archive-date=1 December 2008 }}</ref>

===Railway===
[[File:334038 sits at Edinburgh Waverley, 05 April 2013.JPG|thumb|A train preparing to depart from Edinburgh Waverley station]]
[[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]] is the second-busiest railway station in Scotland, with only [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow Central]] handling more passengers. On the evidence of passenger entries and exits between April 2015 and March 2016, Edinburgh Waverley is the fifth-busiest station in the United Kingdom outside London; it is also the UK's second biggest station in terms of the number of platforms and area size.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 2012 |editor-last=Pigott |editor-first=Nick |editor-link=Nick Pigott |title=Waterloo still London's busiest station |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |location=Horncastle, Lincs |publisher=Mortons Media Group |volume=158 |page=6 |number=1334 }}</ref> Waverley is the terminus for most trains arriving from [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] and the departure point for many [[Rail transport in Scotland|rail services within Scotland]] operated by [[ScotRail]].

To the west of the city centre lies [[Haymarket railway station|Haymarket station]], which is an important commuter stop. Opened in 2003, [[Edinburgh Park railway station|Edinburgh Park]] station serves the Gyle business park in the west of the city and the nearby [[Gogarburn]] headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The [[Edinburgh Crossrail]] route connects Edinburgh Park with Haymarket, Edinburgh Waverley and the suburban stations of [[Brunstane railway station|Brunstane]] and [[Newcraighall railway station|Newcraighall]] in the east of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2001 |title=Edinburgh CrossRail project |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2001/12/729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302034216/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2001/12/729 |archive-date=2 March 2013 |access-date=19 February 2013 |publisher=Scottish Government }}</ref> There are also commuter lines to [[Edinburgh Gateway]], [[South Gyle]] and Dalmeny, the latter serving [[South Queensferry]] by the Forth Bridges, and to [[Wester Hailes]] and [[Curriehill]] in the south-west of the city.

===Trams===
[[File:Tram heading for the city centre - geograph.org.uk - 8156938.jpg|thumb|Edinburgh Tram heading for the city centre]]

[[Edinburgh Trams]] became operational on 31 May 2014. The city had been without a tram system since [[Edinburgh Corporation Tramways]] ceased on 16 November 1956.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wiseman |first=Richard Joseph Stewart |title=Edinburgh's Trams: The Last years |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84033-343-5 |pages=2–3 }}</ref> Following parliamentary approval in 2007, construction began in early 2008. The first stage of the project was expected to be completed by July 2011<ref name="operational">{{Cite news |date=25 October 2007 |title=Backing for capital tram system |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7060835.stm |access-date=19 February 2013 }}</ref> but, following delays caused by extra utility work and a long-running contractual dispute between the council and the main contractor, [[Bilfinger SE]], the project was rescheduled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2009 |title=Train interchange delay threatens to push back tram project |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Train-interchange-delay-threatens-to.5471930.jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205222212/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Train-interchange-delay-threatens-to.5471930.jp |archive-date=5 December 2010 |access-date=25 January 2010 |website=[[The Scotsman]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2014 |title=Tram testing set to increase |url=http://www.edinburghtrams.com/news/tram-testing-set-to-increase |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802143010/http://edinburghtrams.com/news/tram-testing-set-to-increase |archive-date=2 August 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014 |publisher=Edinburgh Trams }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2014 |title=Edinburgh trams start date is May 31 – Edinburgh Evening News |url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-trams-start-date-is-may-31-1-3396537 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505080849/http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-trams-start-date-is-may-31-1-3396537 |archive-date=5 May 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014 |publisher=Edinburghnews.scotsman.com }}</ref> The line opened in 2014 but had been cut short to {{cvt|8.7|mi|km}} in length, running from [[Edinburgh Airport tram stop|Edinburgh Airport]] to [[York Place, Edinburgh|York Place]] in the east end of the city.

The line was later extended north onto [[Leith]] and [[Newhaven, Edinburgh|Newhaven]], opening a further eight stops to passengers in June 2023. The York Place stop was replaced by a new island stop at [[Greenside, Edinburgh|Picardy Place]]. The original plan would have seen a second line run from Haymarket through [[Ravelston]] and [[Craigleith, Edinburgh|Craigleith]] to [[Granton, Edinburgh|Granton Square]] on the [[Waterfront Edinburgh]]. This was shelved in 2011 but in 2025 is once again [[Proposals for new tram lines in Edinburgh|under consideration]], as is another line potentially linking the south of the city and the [[Edinburgh BioQuarter|Bioquarter]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swanson |first=Ian |date=16 June 2023 |title=Edinburgh trams latest: What's next for Edinburgh trams? Extension plans for Granton, Musselburgh and Dalkeith |work=Edinburgh Evening News |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-trams-latest-whats-next-for-edinburgh-trams-extension-plans-for-granton-musselburgh-and-dalkeith-4186044 }}</ref> There were also long-term plans for lines running west from the airport to [[Ratho]] and [[Newbridge, Edinburgh|Newbridge]] and another connecting [[Granton, Edinburgh|Granton]] to Newhaven via Lower Granton Road. In January 2026, a map showing a [[Proposals for new tram lines in Edinburgh#Other proposals: Edinburgh South Suburban Railway|potential future network]] using the [[Edinburgh South Suburban Railway]] was published by the council.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=Plans for third Edinburgh tram line on south suburban railway unveiled by council|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/plans-for-third-edinburgh-tram-line-on-south-suburban-railway-unveiled-by-council-5495290|website=The Scotsman|date=30 January 2026|access-date=30 January 2026|language=en|last=Dalton|first=Alastair}}</ref> Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams are both owned and operated by [[Transport for Edinburgh]].

Despite its modern transport links, in January 2021, Edinburgh was named the most congested city in the UK for the fourth year running, though it has since fallen to 7th place in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brazell |first=Emma |date=10 January 2023 |title=Map reveals UK's most congested cities and it's getting worse than pre-Covid |work=Metro |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/10/worlds-most-congested-cities-revealed-in-new-study-18069830/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19007009.edinburgh-named-congested-city-uk-fourth-year-running/ |title=Scottish city tops UK's congestion ratings for fourth year running |website=HeraldScotland |date=13 January 2021 }}</ref>

==Education==
===Schools===

There are 18 nursery, 94 primary and 23 secondary [[List of schools in Edinburgh|schools]] administered by the City of Edinburgh Council.<ref name="primaryschools">{{Cite web |date=July 2006 |title=Primary Schools |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/CEC_primary_schools |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112184257/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Learning/Schools/CEC_primary_schools |archive-date=12 January 2008 |access-date=26 May 2008 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council }}</ref>
Edinburgh is home to [[Royal High School, Edinburgh|The Royal High School]], one of the [[List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom|oldest schools in the country]] and [[List of the oldest schools in the world|the world]]. The city also has several [[Independent school (UK)#Independent schools in Scotland|independent, fee-paying schools]] including [[Edinburgh Academy]], [[Fettes College]], [[George Heriot's School]], [[George Watson's College]], [[Merchiston Castle School]], [[Stewart's Melville College]] and [[The Mary Erskine School]]. In 2009, the proportion of pupils attending independent schools was 24.2%, far above the Scottish national average of just over 7% and higher than in any other region of Scotland.<ref name="SCISstats">{{Cite web |last=Scottish Council of Independent Schools |year=2009 |title=SCIS Pupil Statistics 2009 |url=http://www.scis.org.uk/assets/Uploads/Facts-and-Statistics/Extended-2009-Fact-Card-nos-by-LA1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916073459/http://www.scis.org.uk/assets/Uploads/Facts-and-Statistics/Extended-2009-Fact-Card-nos-by-LA1.pdf |archive-date=16 September 2012 |access-date=12 February 2012 }}</ref> In August 2013, the City of Edinburgh Council opened the city's first stand-alone Gaelic primary school, [[Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iomairt Ghàidhlig Dhùn Èideann |url=http://www.duneideann.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517063034/http://duneideann.org/ |archive-date=17 May 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014 |publisher=duneideann.org }}</ref>

===College and university===
[[File:Old College, University of Edinburgh (24923171570).jpg|thumb|[[Old College, Edinburgh|Old College]] of the University of Edinburgh]]
There are three universities in Edinburgh: the [[University of Edinburgh]], [[Heriot-Watt University]], and [[Edinburgh Napier University]]. Established by royal charter in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's [[ancient universities of Scotland|ancient universities]] and is the fourth oldest in the country after [[University of St Andrews|St Andrews]], [[University of Glasgow|Glasgow]] and [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen]].<ref name="Universityhistory">{{Cite book |last=Lynch |first=Michael |title=The Oxford Companion to Scottish History |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-211696-3 |pages=610–615 }}</ref> Originally centred on [[Old College, University of Edinburgh|Old College]] the university expanded to premises on The Mound, the Royal Mile and George Square.<ref name="Universityhistory" /> Today, the [[King's Buildings]] in the south of the city contain most of the schools within the College of Science and Engineering. In 2002, the [[University of Edinburgh Medical School|medical school]] moved to purpose-built accommodation adjacent to the new [[Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh]] at [[Little France]]. The university was placed 16th in the QS World University Rankings for 2022.<ref name="University Rankings">{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=QS World University Rankings 2022 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022 |access-date=12 June 2021 |website=Top Universities |language=en }}</ref>

Heriot-Watt University is based at the [[Riccarton, Edinburgh|Riccarton]] campus in the west of Edinburgh. Originally established in 1821 as the world's first [[Mechanics' Institutes|mechanics' institute]], it was granted university status by royal charter in 1966. It has other campuses in the Scottish Borders, Orkney, the United Arab Emirates and Putrajaya in Malaysia. It takes the name ''Heriot-Watt'' from Scottish inventor [[James Watt]] and Scottish philanthropist and goldsmith [[George Heriot]]. Heriot-Watt University has been named International University of the Year by ''The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018''. In the latest Research Excellence Framework, it was ranked overall in the Top 25% of UK universities and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

[[File:Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart - geograph.org.uk - 3959575.jpg|thumb|The Craiglockhart campus, [[Edinburgh Napier University]]]]

Edinburgh Napier University was originally founded as Napier College, which was renamed Napier Polytechnic in 1986 and gained university status in 1992.<ref name="Napierhistory">{{Cite news |last=Lytton |first=Charlotte |date=20 June 2011 |title=Edinburgh Napier University guide |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/universities-and-colleges/8523495/Edinburgh-Napier-University-guide.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826090317/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/universities-and-colleges/8523495/Edinburgh-Napier-University-guide.html |archive-date=26 August 2012 }}</ref> Edinburgh Napier University has campuses in the south and west of the city, including the former [[Merchiston Tower]] and [[Craiglockhart Hydropathic]].<ref name="Napierhistory" /> It is home to the [[Screen Academy Scotland]]. [[Queen Margaret University]] was located in Edinburgh before it moved outside the city boundary to a new campus in the county of [[East Lothian]] on the outskirts of [[Musselburgh]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.qmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/20080704-the-queen-officially-opens-queen-margaret-s-new-campus/ |title=The Queen officially opens Queen Margaret's new campus &#124; News and Events &#124; Queen Margaret University |website=www.qmu.ac.uk }}</ref> Until 2012, further education colleges in the city included [[Jewel and Esk College]] (incorporating [[Leith Nautical College]] founded in 1903), [[Edinburgh's Telford College|Telford College]], opened in 1968, and [[Stevenson College (Edinburgh)|Stevenson College]], opened in 1970. These have now been amalgamated to form [[Edinburgh College]]. [[Scotland's Rural College]] also has a campus in South Edinburgh. Other institutions include the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]] and the [[Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh]], which were established by royal charter in 1506 and 1681, respectively. The [[Trustees' Academy]] of Edinburgh, founded in 1760, became the [[Edinburgh College of Art]] in 1907.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 2012 |title=Edinburgh College of Art |work=The Independent |location=UK |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/edinburgh-college-of-art-2295119.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221100/http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/edinburgh-college-of-art-2295119.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}</ref>

==Healthcare==
[[File:Royal Edinburgh Infirmary - geograph.org.uk - 7588479.jpg|thumb|right|The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is the main public hospital for the city.]]
{{See also|List of hospitals in Scotland#City of Edinburgh|l1=List of hospitals in Edinburgh}}
The main [[NHS Lothian]] hospitals serving the Edinburgh area are the [[Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh]], which includes the [[University of Edinburgh Medical School]], and the [[Western General Hospital]],<ref name="hospitals">{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh Health Services |url=http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/live/edinburgh_health_services.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020113009/http://www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com/live/edinburgh_health_services.aspx |archive-date=20 October 2012 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com }}</ref> which has a large cancer treatment centre and nurse-led Minor Injuries Clinic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Western General Hospital |url=http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/Pages/WesternGeneralHospital.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513000136/http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/Pages/WesternGeneralHospital.aspx |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=[[NHS Lothian]] }}</ref> The [[Royal Edinburgh Hospital]] in Morningside specialises in mental health. The [[Royal Hospital for Children and Young People]], colloquially referred to as ''the Sick Kids'', is a specialist [[paediatrics]] hospital.

There are two private hospitals: Murrayfield Hospital in the west of the city and Shawfair Hospital in the south; both are owned by [[Spire Healthcare]].<ref name=hospitals/>

==Sport==
===Football===
[[File:Rangers WFC v Partick Thistle WFC - 53607672807.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tynecastle Park]]]]
Edinburgh has four [[association football|football]] clubs that play in the [[Scottish Professional Football League]] (SPFL): [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]], founded in 1874, [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], founded in 1875, [[Edinburgh City F.C.]], founded in 1966 and [[Spartans F.C.|Spartans]], founded in 1951. Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian are known locally as "Hearts" and "Hibs", respectively. Both play in the [[Scottish Premiership]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh: Heart of Midlothian Football Club |url=http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g186525-c171464/Edinburgh:United-Kingdom:Heart.Of.Midlothian.Football.Club.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109192436/http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g186525-c171464/Edinburgh:United-Kingdom:Heart.Of.Midlothian.Football.Club.html |archive-date=9 November 2012 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=tripadvisor.co.uk }}</ref> They are the oldest city rivals in Scotland and the [[Edinburgh derby]] is one of the oldest derby matches in world football. Both clubs have won the [[list of Scottish football champions|Scottish league championship]] four times. Hearts have won the [[Scottish Cup]] eight times and the [[Scottish League Cup]] four times. Hibs have won the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup three times each. [[Edinburgh City F.C.|Edinburgh City]] were promoted to [[Scottish League Two]] in the 2015–16 season, becoming the first club to win promotion to the SPFL via the pyramid system playoffs.

Edinburgh was also home to four other [[List of former Scottish Football League clubs|former Scottish Football League clubs]]: the original [[Edinburgh City F.C. (1928)|Edinburgh City]] (founded in 1928), [[Leith Athletic F.C.|Leith Athletic]], [[Meadowbank Thistle F.C.|Meadowbank Thistle]] and [[St Bernard's F.C.|St Bernard's]]. Meadowbank Thistle played at [[Meadowbank Stadium]] until 1995, when the club moved to [[Livingston, West Lothian|Livingston]] and became [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston F.C]]. The [[Scotland men's national football team|Scottish national team]] has very occasionally played at [[Easter Road]] and [[Tynecastle Park|Tynecastle]], although its normal [[Scotland national football team home stadium|home stadium]] is [[Hampden Park]] in Glasgow. St Bernard's [[New Logie Green]] was used to host the [[1896 Scottish Cup Final]], the only time the match has been played outside Glasgow.<ref name="UD">Paul Smith & Shirley Smith (2005) ''The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005'', Yore Publications, p202 {{ISBN|0954783042 }}</ref> The city also plays host to [[Lowland Football League]] clubs [[Civil Service Strollers F.C.|Civil Service Strollers]], [[Edinburgh University A.F.C.|Edinburgh University]] and [[Spartans F.C.|Spartans]], as well as [[East of Scotland Football League|East of Scotland League]] clubs [[Craigroyston F.C.|Craigroyston]], [[Edinburgh United F.C.|Edinburgh United]], [[Heriot-Watt University F.C.|Heriot-Watt University]], [[Leith Athletic F.C.|Leith Athletic]], [[Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C.|Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale]], and [[Tynecastle F.C.|Tynecastle]].

In women's football, [[Hearts Ladies F.C.|Hearts]], [[Hibernian L.F.C.|Hibs]] and [[Spartans W.F.C.|Spartans]] play in the [[Scottish Women's Premier League|SWPL 1]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Building Society SWPL 1 |url=https://scotwomensfootball.com/league-competitions/swpl-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105222/http://scotwomensfootball.com/league-competitions/swpl-1/ |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=23 January 2020 |website=Scottish Women's Football }}</ref> [[Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C.#Women|Hutchison Vale]] and [[Boroughmuir Thistle F.C.|Boroughmuir Thistle]] play in the [[Scottish Women's Premier League|SWPL 2]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Building Society SWPL 1 |url=https://scotwomensfootball.com/league-competitions/swpl-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404195851/http://scotwomensfootball.com/league-competitions/swpl-2/ |archive-date=4 April 2019 |access-date=23 January 2020 |website=Scottish Women's Football }}</ref>

===Rugby===
[[File:Murrayfield Autumn 2017.jpg|thumb|right|[[Murrayfield Stadium]]]]
The [[Scotland national rugby union team]] play at [[Murrayfield Stadium]], and the professional [[Edinburgh Rugby]] team play at the adjacent [[Edinburgh Rugby Stadium]]; both are owned by the [[Scottish Rugby Union]] and are also used for other events, including music concerts. Murrayfield is the largest capacity stadium in Scotland, seating 67,144 spectators.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MURRAYFIELD STADIUM |url=http://www.dunstane-hotel-edinburgh.co.uk/dunstane-hotels/edinburgh-guide/murrayfield.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822011013/http://www.dunstane-hotel-edinburgh.co.uk/dunstane-hotels/edinburgh-guide/murrayfield.php |archive-date=22 August 2011 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=dunstane-hotel-edinburgh.co.uk }}</ref> Edinburgh is also home to [[Scottish Premiership (rugby)|Scottish Premiership]] teams [[Boroughmuir RFC]], [[Currie RFC]], the [[Edinburgh Academicals]], [[Heriot's Rugby Club]] and [[Watsonians RFC]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rugby |url=http://www.edinburghguide.com/book/sport/rugby |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315021337/http://edinburghguide.com/book/sport/rugby |archive-date=15 March 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=edinburghguide.com }}</ref>

The Edinburgh Academicals ground at [[Raeburn Place]] was the location of the world's first international rugby game on 27 March 1871, between Scotland and England.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/03/150th-anniversary-of-first-scotland-v-england-rugby-match/ |title=150th Anniversary of first Scotland v England rugby match |date=26 March 2021 |first=John |last=Preece |newspaper=The Edinburgh Reporter |archive-date=20 May 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520141828/https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/03/150th-anniversary-of-first-scotland-v-england-rugby-match/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Rugby league]] is represented by the [[Edinburgh Eagles]] who play in the [[Rugby League Conference Scotland Division]]. Murrayfield Stadium has hosted the [[Magic Weekend]] where all [[Super League]] matches are played in the stadium over one weekend.

===Other sports===
The [[Scottish cricket team]], which represents Scotland internationally, plays its home matches at the [[The Grange Club|Grange cricket club]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Grange Cricket Club |url=http://www.grangecricket.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603070346/http://grangecricket.org/ |archive-date=3 June 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=grangecricket.org }}</ref> The [[Edinburgh Capitals]] are the latest of a succession of [[ice hockey]] clubs in the Scottish capital. Previously, Edinburgh was represented by the [[Murrayfield Racers (2018)]], the original [[Murrayfield Racers]] ''(who folded in 1996)'', and the Edinburgh Racers. The club plays their home games at the [[Murrayfield Ice Rink]] and have competed in the eleven-team professional [[Scottish National League (ice hockey)|Scottish National League (SNL)]] since the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 2018 |title=Murrayfield Racers accepted into the Scottish National League |publisher=Scottish Ice Hockey Association |url=https://siha-uk.co.uk/murrayfield-racers-accepted-into-the-scottish-national-league/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021635/https://siha-uk.co.uk/murrayfield-racers-accepted-into-the-scottish-national-league/ |archive-date=25 June 2018 }}</ref>

[[Caledonia Pride]] is the only women's professional basketball team in Scotland. Established in 2016, the team competes in the UK-wide [[Women's British Basketball League]] and plays their home matches at the [[Oriam]] National Performance Centre. Edinburgh also has several men's basketball teams within the Scottish National League. [[Boroughmuir Blaze]], [[City of Edinburgh Kings]], and [[Edinburgh Lions]] all compete in Division 1 of the National League, and [[Pleasance B.C.]] compete in Division 2. The [[Edinburgh Diamond Devils]] is a baseball club that won its first Scottish Championship in 1991 as the "Reivers". 1992 saw the team repeat the achievement, becoming the first team to do so in league history. The same year saw the start of their first youth team, the Blue Jays. The club adopted its present name in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team History |url=http://edinburghdiamonddevils.webs.com/teamhistory.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107151832/https://edinburghdiamonddevils.webs.com/teamhistory.htm |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=Edinburgh Diamond Devils Baseball Club }}</ref>

Edinburgh has also hosted national and international sports events including the [[World Student Games]], the [[1970 British Commonwealth Games]],<ref name="cwgs">{{Cite web |title=Past Commonwealth Games |url=http://www.thecgf.com/games/games_index.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215184607/http://www.thecgf.com/games/games_index.asp |archive-date=15 February 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation }}</ref> the [[1986 Commonwealth Games]]<ref name="cwgs" /> and the inaugural 2000 Commonwealth Youth Games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commonwealth Youth Games |url=http://www.thecgf.com/cyg/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716225226/http://www.thecgf.com/cyg/ |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation }}</ref> For the 1970 Games the city built Olympic standard venues and facilities including Meadowbank Stadium and the [[Royal Commonwealth Pool]]. The Pool underwent refurbishment in 2012 and hosted the Diving competition in the [[2014 Commonwealth Games]], which were held in Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Commonwealth Pool |url=http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/venues/royal-commonwealth-pool |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117183240/http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/venues/royal-commonwealth-pool |archive-date=17 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=Glasgow 2014 }}</ref>

The [[New Year Sprint]] is a 110 metre athletics handicap sprint race that has been run continuously since 1870.<ref>{{cite web |title=About New Year Sprint |url=http://www.sportingworld.co.uk/newyearsprint/ |access-date=2 April 2026 |website=ResultsNet – Sporting World}}</ref>

In [[American football]], the [[Scottish Claymores]] played [[World League of American Football|WLAF]]/[[NFL Europe]] games at Murrayfield, including their [[World Bowl IV|World Bowl 96]] victory. From 1995 to 1997, they played all their games there, from 1998 to 2000 they split their home matches between Murrayfield and Glasgow's Hampden Park, then moved to Glasgow full-time, with one final Murrayfield appearance in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Claymores |url=http://www.esspeedee.com/claymores/claymores.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102023123/http://www.esspeedee.com/claymores/claymores.php |archive-date=2 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=esspeedee.com }}</ref> The city's most successful non-professional team are the [[Edinburgh Wolves]] who play at Meadowbank Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tickets and Travel |url=http://www.edinburghwolves.com/tickets-travel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829191938/https://www.edinburghwolves.com/tickets-travel/ |archive-date=29 August 2014 |access-date=29 March 2013 |publisher=Edinburgh Wolves }}</ref> The [[Edinburgh Marathon]] has been held annually in the city since 2003 with more than 16,000 runners taking part on each occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Edinburgh Marathon Festival |url=http://www.forthone.com/edinburgh-marathon-for-2013/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115220535/http://www.forthone.com/edinburgh-marathon-for-2013/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=forthone.com }}</ref> Its organisers have called it "the fastest marathon in the UK" due to the elevation drop of {{cvt|40|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Its Official – Edinburgh is the Fastest Marathon in the UK |url=http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122180540/http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/ |archive-date=22 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=edinburgh-marathon.com }}</ref> The city also organises a half-marathon, as well as [[10,000 metres|10&nbsp;km]] ({{cvt|10|km|abbr=off|disp=output only}}) and [[5000 metres|5&nbsp;km]] ({{cvt|5|km|disp=output only}}) races, including a {{cvt|5|km|0|abbr=in}} race on 1 January each year.

Edinburgh has a [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team, the [[Edinburgh Monarchs]], which, since the loss of its stadium in the city, has raced at the Lothian Arena in [[Armadale, West Lothian]]. The Monarchs have won the [[Premier League (speedway)|Premier League]] championship five times in their history, in 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2003 |title=Campbell hails his 'dream team' |work=[[Edinburgh Evening News]] |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=1106972003 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615171944/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/campbell-hails-his-dream-team-1-899897 |archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> and again in 2008,<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 September 2006 |title=Monarchs handed the title as Rebels fail at Birmingham |work=Edinburgh Evening News |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/Monarchs-handed-the-title-as.4526922.jp |url-status=live |access-date=2 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926172518/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/Monarchs-handed-the-title-as.4526922.jp |archive-date=26 September 2008 }}</ref> 2010, 2014 and 2015. Edinburgh also has Scotland's first onshore artificial open air [[Lost Shore Surf Resort|surfing pool]], located at former Craigpark quarry in [[Ratho]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2024 |title=Old Edinburgh quarry is now Europe's largest inland surf resort |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c704jx226xzo |access-date=22 May 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB }}</ref>

Edinburgh will also host the [[List of Tour de France Grands Départs|'''Grand Départ''']] of the 2027 [[Tour de France]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK host towns and cities confirmed for the 2027 Tour De France & Tour De France Femmes Avec Zwift |url=https://www.uksport.gov.uk/Layout/Layouts/Default.aspx |access-date=28 June 2026 |website=www.uksport.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Edinburgh}}

 {{see also|List of University of Edinburgh people}}
[[File:Sir Walter Scott - Raeburn-2.jpg|thumb|upright|Sir [[Walter Scott]]]]
[[File:Greyfriars Bobby statue, Edinburgh.JPG|thumb|right|upright|[[Greyfriars Bobby Fountain]]]]

Edinburgh has a literary tradition, which became especially evident during the [[Scottish Enlightenment]]. This heritage and the city's literary life in the present led to it being declared the first [[UNESCO City of Literature]] in 2004.<ref name="Urbanism">{{Cite web |title=Sustainable Urbanism |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/9413404/Sustainable-Urbanism-Edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926174900/http://www.scribd.com/doc/9413404/Sustainable-Urbanism-Edinburgh |archive-date=26 September 2009 |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=Ralf Brand }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2011 |title=A guide to Edinburgh's authors and books |work=The List |url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/32390-a-guide-to-edinburghs-authors-and-books/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115161230/http://www.list.co.uk/article/32390-a-guide-to-edinburghs-authors-and-books/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=list.co.uk }}</ref> Authors who have lived in Edinburgh include the economist [[Adam Smith]], born in [[Kirkcaldy]] and author of ''[[The Wealth of Nations]]'',<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> [[James Boswell]], biographer of [[Life of Samuel Johnson|Samuel Johnson]]; Sir [[Walter Scott]], creator of the historical novel and author of works such as ''[[Rob Roy (novel)|Rob Roy]]'', ''[[Ivanhoe]]'', and ''[[The Heart of Midlothian|Heart of Midlothian]]''; [[James Hogg]], author of ''[[The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner]]''; [[Robert Louis Stevenson]],<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour |volume= 25 |last= Gosse |first= Edmund William |author-link= Edmund William Gosse| pages = 907&ndash;910|short = 1 }}</ref> creator of ''[[Treasure Island]]'', ''[[Kidnapped (novel)|Kidnapped]]'', and ''[[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]]''; [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]], the creator of [[Sherlock Holmes]]; [[Muriel Spark]], author of ''[[The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (novel)|The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie]]''; [[Irvine Welsh]], author of ''[[Trainspotting (novel)|Trainspotting]]'', whose novels are mostly set in the city and often written in colloquial [[Scots language|Scots]];
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Irvine Welsh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mr8yj/profiles/irvine-welsh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220155223/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mr8yj/profiles/irvine-welsh |archive-date=20 December 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=BBC }}</ref> [[Ian Rankin]], author of the [[Detective Inspector John Rebus|Inspector Rebus]] series of crime thrillers, [[Alexander McCall Smith]], author of the [[No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency]] series,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Book News – Latest Book and Author News – Page 10 |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/?ibPage=10 |url-status=live |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121052001/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/?ibPage=10 |archive-date=21 November 2011 }}</ref> and [[J. K. Rowling]], author of [[Harry Potter]], who moved to the city in 1993 and wrote much of her first book in Edinburgh coffee shops.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen McGinty |date=16 June 2003 |title=The JK Rowling story |url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/s2.cfm?id=662772003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014155712/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/s2.cfm?id=662772003 |archive-date=14 October 2007 |access-date=23 March 2007 |website=The Scotsman }}</ref>

Edinburgh produced figures in science and engineering. [[John Napier]], inventor of [[logarithm]]s, was born in [[Merchiston Tower]] and lived and died in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=J J O'Connor and E F Robertson |title=John Napier |url=http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Napier.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513061704/http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Napier.html |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=16 March 2013 |publisher=University of St Andrews }}</ref> His house now forms part of the original campus of Napier University which was named in his honour. He lies buried under St. Cuthbert's Church. [[James Clerk Maxwell]], founder of the modern theory of [[electromagnetism]], was born at 14 India Street (now the home of the [[James Clerk Maxwell Foundation]]) and educated at the [[Edinburgh Academy]] and the University of Edinburgh,<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil">{{Cite web |title=Edinburgh's famous people – science, thought and other |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/873/key_facts_and_figures/5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207011702/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/873/key_facts_and_figures/5 |archive-date=7 February 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=edinburgh.gov.uk }}</ref> as was the engineer and telephone pioneer [[Alexander Graham Bell]].<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> [[James Braidwood (firefighter)|James Braidwood]], who organised Britain's first municipal fire brigade, was also born in the city and began his career there.

Other names connected with the city include physicist [[Max Born]], a principle founder of [[Quantum mechanics]] and [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=University forging German links |url=http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/edinburgh-global/news-events/news/german-links |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401065809/http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/edinburgh-global/news-events/news/german-links |archive-date=1 April 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=ed.ac.uk }}</ref> [[Charles Darwin]], the biologist who propounded the theory of [[natural selection]];<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> [[David Hume]], philosopher, economist and historian;<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> [[James Hutton]], regarded as the "Father of Geology";<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> [[Joseph Black]], the chemist who discovered [[magnesium]] and [[carbon dioxide]], and one of the founders of [[Thermodynamics]];<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> pioneering medical researchers [[Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister|Joseph Lister]] and [[James Young Simpson]];<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> chemist and discoverer of the element [[nitrogen]] [[Daniel Rutherford]]; [[Colin Maclaurin]], mathematician and developer of the [[Maclaurin series]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Maclaurin |url=http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Maclaurin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817224720/http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Maclaurin.html |archive-date=17 August 2011 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk }}</ref> and [[Ian Wilmut]], the geneticist involved in the cloning of [[Dolly (sheep)|Dolly the sheep]] just outside Edinburgh, at the [[Roslin Institute]].<ref name="famouspeoplecouncil" /> The stuffed carcass of Dolly the sheep is now on display in the National Museum of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dolly the sheep |url=http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_collections/highlights/dolly_the_sheep.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326042308/http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_collections/highlights/dolly_the_sheep.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=nms.ac.uk }}</ref> The latest in a long line of science celebrities associated with the city is theoretical physicist, [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Nobel laureate]] and professor emeritus at the [[University of Edinburgh]] [[Peter Higgs]], born in Newcastle but resident in Edinburgh for most of his academic career, after whom the [[Higgs boson]] particle has been named.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Higgs and the Higgs Boson |url=http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/higgs/peter-higgs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014121815/http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/higgs/peter-higgs |archive-date=14 October 2013 |access-date=13 October 2013 |publisher=University of Edinburgh }}</ref>

Edinburgh has been the birthplace of actors like [[Alastair Sim]] and Sir [[Sean Connery]], the [[Portrayal of James Bond in film#Sean Connery|first cinematic James Bond]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 1999 |title=Connery: Bond and beyond |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/573476.stm |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825062419/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/573476.stm |archive-date=25 August 2007 }}</ref> the comedian and actor [[Ronnie Corbett]], one of [[The Two Ronnies]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannah Stephenson |date=4 November 2006 |title=I will not say goodnight yet&nbsp;... |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=1635762006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014194727/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=1635762006 |archive-date=14 October 2007 |access-date=23 March 2007 |website=The Scotsman }}</ref> and the impressionist [[Rory Bremner]]. Artists from the city include the portrait painters Sir [[Henry Raeburn]], Sir [[David Wilkie (artist)|David Wilkie]], and [[Allan Ramsay (artist)|Allan Ramsay]]. The city has produced or been home to musicians [[Ian Anderson]], front man of the band [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[The Incredible String Band]], the folk duo [[The Corries]], [[Wattie Buchan]], lead singer and founding member of punk band [[The Exploited]], [[Shirley Manson]], lead singer of the band [[Garbage (band)|Garbage]], the [[Bay City Rollers]], [[The Proclaimers]], [[Swim School]], [[Boards of Canada]] and [[Idlewild (band)|Idlewild]]. Edinburgh is the birthplace of former British prime minister [[Tony Blair]] who attended the city's [[Fettes College]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2006 |title=Blair's birthplace is bulldozed in Edinburgh |url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1156262006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013202856/http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1156262006 |archive-date=13 October 2007 |access-date=23 March 2007 |website=[[The Scotsman]] |issn=0307-5850 |oclc=614655655 |location=UK }}</ref>

Criminals from Edinburgh's past include [[Deacon Brodie]], head of a trades guild and Edinburgh city councillor by day but a burglar by night, who is said to have been the inspiration for [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]'s story, the ''[[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deacon William Brodie |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Deacon-William-Brodie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123171626/http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Deacon-William-Brodie/ |archive-date=23 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=historic-uk.com }}</ref> and murderers [[Burke and Hare]] who delivered fresh corpses for dissection to the famous anatomist [[Robert Knox (surgeon)|Robert Knox]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rosner |first=Lisa |url=https://archive.org/details/anatomymurdersbe00rosn |title=The Anatomy Murders |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-8122-4191-4 |url-access=registration }}</ref>

Another Edinburgh resident was [[Greyfriars Bobby]]. The small [[Skye Terrier]] reputedly kept vigil over his dead master's grave in [[Greyfriars Kirkyard]] for 14 years in the 1860s and 1870s, giving rise to a story of canine devotion which plays a part in attracting visitors to the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greyfriars Bobby |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Greyfriars-Bobby/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125041701/http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Greyfriars-Bobby/ |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 |publisher=historic-uk.com }}</ref>

==International relations==
===Twin towns and sister cities===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Scotland}}
The City of Edinburgh has entered into 14 international [[town twinning|twinning]] arrangements since 1954.<ref name="Edinburgh twinning">{{Cite web |title=Twin and Partner Cities |url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/685/european_international_and_parliamentary_relations/3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614133841/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/695/council_information_performance_and_statistics/685/european_international_and_parliamentary_relations/3 |archive-date=14 June 2012 |access-date=16 January 2009 |publisher=City of Edinburgh Council }}</ref> Most of the arrangements are styled as ''Twin Cities'' but the agreement with [[Kraków]] is designated as a ''Partner City'',<ref name="Edinburgh twinning" /> and the agreement with [[Kyoto Prefecture]] is officially styled as a ''Friendship Link'', reflecting its status as the only region to be twinned with Edinburgh.<ref name="Edinburgh twinning" />

In June 2024, the City of Edinburgh Council shelved plans for a friendship arrangement with [[Kaohsiung]], [[Taiwan]], after concerns were raised that the agreement could hurt relations with China and heighten the risk of cyber attacks. A few weeks before the decision, the Chinese consul general, Zhang Biao,  met with Scottish government minister [[Angus Robertson]] to protest against the potential agreement. In a letter to the city council, the Chinese representative said signing a sister city agreement "will [[Hurting the feelings of the Chinese people|hurt the feeling of the Chinese people]] and bring about serious consequences to … bilateral relations".<ref>{{cite news |last=Turvill |first=Donald |title=Edinburgh shelves Taiwan friendship deal over China sanctions fear |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw00y46n3j9o |work=BBC |date=25 June 2024 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! City
! Since
|-
| [[Munich]], Germany || 1954
|-
| [[Nice]], France || 1958<ref name="Nice Jumellage">{{Cite web |title=Villes jumelées avec la Ville de Nice |url=http://www.nice.fr/Collectivites/La-municipalite/Villes-jumelees-avec-la-Ville-de-Nice |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029114949/http://nice.fr/Collectivites/La-municipalite/Villes-jumelees-avec-la-Ville-de-Nice |archive-date=29 October 2012 |access-date=24 June 2013 |publisher=Ville de Nice |language=fr }}</ref><ref name="Archant twinning">{{Cite web |title=British towns twinned with French towns |url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-date=5 July 2013 |access-date=11 July 2013 |website=Archant Community Media Ltd }}</ref>
|-
| [[Florence]], Italy || 1964
|-
| [[Dunedin]], New Zealand || 1974
|-
|  [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, Canada || 1977<ref name="Vancouver">{{Cite web |title=Vancouver Twinning Relationships |url=http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20080311/documents/a14.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205010523/http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20080311/documents/a14.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2011 |access-date=5 December 2009 |publisher=City of Vancouver }}</ref>
|-
| [[San Diego]], California, United States || 1977
|-
|  [[Xi'an]], China || 1985
|-
| [[Segovia]], Spain || 1985<ref name="Edinburgh">{{cite web |date=3 March 2010 |title=Edinburgh's Twin Cities &#124; impulse 2011 |url=http://impulse2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/edinburghs-twin-cities |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716221648/http://impulse2010.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/edinburghs-twin-cities/ |archive-date=16 July 2014 |access-date=21 July 2014 |publisher=Impulse2010.wordpress.com }}</ref>
|-
| [[Kyiv]], Ukraine || 1989
|-
|  [[Aalborg]], Denmark || 1991<ref name="Aalborg twinnings">{{Cite web |title=Aalborg Twin Towns |url=http://www.europeprize.net/en/?page_id=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907145357/http://www.europeprize.net/en/?page_id=5 |archive-date=7 September 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013 |publisher=Europeprize.net }}</ref>
|-
| [[Kyoto Prefecture]], Japan || 1994
|-
| [[Kathmandu]], [[Nepal]] || 1994
|-
| [[Kraków]], Poland || 1995<ref name="Kraków partnerships">{{Cite web |title=Kraków – Miasta Partnerskie |trans-title=Kraków -Partnership Cities |url=http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531,kat,0,5,miasta_partnerskie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702010825/http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/2531%2Ckat%2C0%2C5%2Cmiasta_partnerskie.html |archive-date=2 July 2013 |access-date=10 August 2013 |website=Miejska Platforma Internetowa Magiczny Kraków |language=pl }}</ref>
|-
| [[Shenzhen]], China || 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=Shenzhen and Edinburgh Become Sister Cities |url=https://chinaminutes.com/News/News-Article/shenzhen-and-edinburgh-become-sister-cities |website=chinaminutes.com |publisher=China Minutes |date=5 June 2019 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913042928/https://www.chinaminutes.com/News/News-Article/shenzhen-and-edinburgh-become-sister-cities |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

For a list of consulates in Edinburgh, see [[List of diplomatic missions in Scotland]].

==See also==
{{Portal|Edinburgh|Scotland|United Kingdom}}
* [[Outline of Edinburgh]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[James Buchan]], ''Capital of the Mind: How Edinburgh Changed the World'', John Murray, London 2003, {{ISBN|978-0-71955-446-9}}
* {{Cite book |last=Campbell, Donald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cfaW7pkoPioC&q=edinburgh+northumbria&pg=PA5 |title=Edinburgh: A Cultural and Literary History |publisher=Signal Books |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-902669-73-1}}
* H. Coghill, ''Edinburgh, The Old Town'', John Donald, Edinburgh 1990, {{ISBN|0-85976-289-0}}
* [[Arthur L. Herman|A. Herman]], ''[[How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It]]'', Three Rivers Press, New York, 2001, {{ISBN|0-609-80999-7}}; also published as ''The Scottish Enlightenment: The Scots' Invention of the Modern World'', HarperCollins, London, 2001, {{ISBN|1-84115-275-7}}
* [[Allan Massie]], ''Edinburgh'', Sinclair-Stevenson, London 1994, {{ISBN|1-85619-244-X}}
* S. Mullay, ''The Edinburgh Encyclopedia'', Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh and London 1996, {{ISBN|1-85158-762-4}}
* S. Mullay, ''The Illustrated History of Edinburgh's Suburbs'', Breedon Books, Derby 2008, {{ISBN|978-1-85983-665-1}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Edinburgh}}
{{wikivoyage}}
{{commons category}}
* [https://edinburgh.org/ Marketing Edinburgh] official tourist agency

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