EDINBURGH

UP CLOSE

Welcome to Edinburgh,
the lovely capital of Scotland! Exploring these streets youll
find quaint shops and delectable eateries, impressive museums
and jaw-dropping galleries, plus magnificent scenery and entertaining gatherings. As a matter of fact, youll also find all those
things and more in the pages of this guide! So prepare yourself
for a whirlwind of a journey, and keep in mind, whether gazing high or low, never forget to explore Edinburgh UP CLOSE.

HISTORY
Nestled in the contours of seven
hills, the city of Edinburgh stands
as a monument to the history of
Scotland and development of Western
civilization. From its inception, the city
has circled around Castle Hill, where
Edinburgh Castle has rested proudly
for hundreds of years. Evidence directs
our attention to humans having lived
in these hills since the Iron Age, but
it wasnt until sometime in the 13th
century when the city was actually
established by King David I. The city
flourished as a well-known port and for
many centuries has remained a main
hub of activity in Scotland.

Although Glasgow would eventually

surpass Edinburgh in size and
population, the walled city remained
the centre of the country, even with
the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Then about a century later, the Union
of Parliaments joined Scotland and
England in the relationship still held
today (though perhaps for not much
longer). By the 18th century, it was clear
that Edinburgh was very important to
the new Kingdom of Great Britain, but
it was also desperately unhygienic. For
the sake of the town and her people,
construction began on the New Town,
which continued until the mid-1800s.

It was also around the extensive period

of the New Towns construction that
the famous Scottish Enlightenment
took place. This great phenomenon
produced many famous names, such
as David Hume, Adam Smith, and
James Hutton, plus the great wealth of
literature that the city is now known for.
The Enlightenment paraded Edinburgh
and Scotland into the 19th century,
which saw general improvements
throughout the city. As much of the
wealthy population had moved out of
the Old Town, the New Town quickly
became a major business district. The
Old Town continued on as the slums
of Edinburgh until the 1860s, when
impressive improvements were made,
turning the area into the familiar sight
it is today.
Although the economy stagnated
during the early 1900s, as no big
surprise, the country took on serious
efforts to improve and reverse the slide
backwards.

Commercial development in the late

20th century strengthened the city and
has helped keep Edinburgh the second
largest administrative and fiscal centre
in the United Kingdom. To this day,
Scotlands capital is a source of pride
for the people of Scotland, and with
good reason. Edinburgh was the first
UNESCO City of Literature, having
produced famous authors and poets
like Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott,
and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Great
scientists pour from her Victorian
buildings, such as Alexander Graham
Bell and Peter Higgs. Artists are still
inspired by her winding streets and
temperamental weather. Travellers
the world over flock to Edinburgh to
experience the gorgeous arts and rich
history of Scotland, infused with this
charming city, this once Auld Reekie.
Emily Smith

IMPRESSUM
Many Thanks To:
Anne and Janis - you were inspiring, Paul,
Mary, Lutz, our tour guide James, Open Street
Map contributors, and the many helpful business owners and interview partners!!

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Carina, writing & editing: Carina is

proud to say that she has not been hit
by any cars, bikes, buses or trams while
on the look-out for perfect cafs and
alternative entertainment in Edinburgh.

Emily, writing & editing: When Emily

isnt busy getting lost on picture-taking
sprees throughout Edinburgh, youll
find her reading, eating, or drinking!
(Not necessarily in that order.)

Gemma, writing & editing: Dreamy and

atmospheric Edinburgh is the perfect
city for book-loving Gemma, whose
ideal pastime is exploring the historic
haunts of her favourite Scottish authors
and their characters!

105

Annabel, writing, layout & photo editing:

This fierce little American enjoys
snapping photos and her fingers to
some live Scottish folk music.

Lina, writing & layout: If it wasnt for all

the bruises and sore feet, Lina would
be reeling around at a Ceilidh every
night.

Hannah, writing & layout: Hannahs

curiosity in the macabre has sent her
around the numerous kirkyards and
haunted places of Edinburgh.

106

Anne, writing & layout: When Anne

is not getting totally lost around
Edinburgh, you can find her in one of
the citys many cafs or bookshops!

Aline, writing: Aline is probably the only

one who actually came to Edinburgh
because of the weather apart from
that, the pubs and bars are her favourite
places to go.

Susanna, writing: Susanna could

blissfully eat her way through all the
scones in Edinburgh and walk them
off exploring the lively streets of the
Old and New Town!

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