Around half a million people inhabit Edinburgh, dubbed the Athens of the North because of the large number of 18th-century public buildings built in the Greek neo-classical style, and its reputation as a seat of learning. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, so the monarchy, the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of government are all based there. It is also a centre of education in the fields of medicine, Scots law, literature, the sciences and engineering, and is the largest financial centre in the UK after London.
As a result, knowledge-based services occupy a high share of Edinburgh’s economy. During the 16th century Edinburgh was a leader of the Scottish Reformation. During the 18th century it developed into an important banking centre, and thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment such as David Hume and Adam Smith laid the groundwork for modern capitalism. The city was not much affected by the Industrial Revolution however, and its traditional industries – printing, brewing and distilling – still dominate its small manufacturing sector.
In the Middle Ages, defensive walls encircled the town, so tall buildings were constructed to house the growing population, with upper floors reserved for the wealthier classes. In the 18th-century Georgian period, after the Parliaments of England and Scotland formed the Kingdom of Great Britain, the increasingly overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in the Old Town led the professional and business classes to create a more elegant New Town to the north. Contemporary Edinburgh still reflects this division, although in the Old Town Victorian buildings replaced most of the original structures in the 19th century, and the late 20th century witnessed a major slum clearance program and development of a new financial district in the West End.
TripAdvisor lists over four hundred things to do in Edinburgh. Many reflect the influence of the monarchy on the city’s history. Some of the top-ranked include: (i) Edinburgh Festival and Fringe Festival (renowned international festivals of the performing arts, held every August); (ii) Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (an annual performance of military bands and display teams from all over the world during Edinburgh Festival); (iii) Tour of Edinburgh Castle; (iv) visit to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat ( the highest spot in Edinburgh with nature walks that offer spectacular views of the city, unique volcanic geological formations, and a hill fort built around 2,000 years ago; (v) Royal Yacht Britannia (the Queen’s former floating palace, now a specialty museum); (vi) National Museum of Scotland (a history museum for the natural world, world cultures, science and technology, art, design and fashion, and Scottish history); (vii} Edinburgh Old Town and Royal Mile (historic walking tours); (viii) Royal Botanic Garden (second richest collection of plant species in the world) ; (ix) Camera Obscura and World of Illusions (science museum); and (x) Edinburgh Gin Distillery and Edinburgh Gin Visitor Centre (a small-batch producer, aiming to educate and excite visitors).
The city is compact, walking is safe except during Festivals, and the public transport system is excellent. The climate is chilly because of cold winds blowing off the North and lack of sunshine. But the city is beautiful; the people are friendly; rental housing is readily available though not cheap; the intellectual atmosphere is vibrant; and the nightlife is diverse and affordable.