EDINBURGH

INFO, PLACES, TOURISM, THINGS TO SEE.

PAULA PRIETO DELGADO 4ºA

IES RAMIRO II
 INDEX

Index
1. EDINBURGH HISTORY ................................................................................... 2

a) INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 2
b) SHORT HISTORY .......................................................................................... 3
❖ Edinburgh in the middle ages................................................................. 3
❖ Edinburgh in the 16th century ................................................................ 4
❖ Edinburgh in the 17th century ................................................................ 6
❖ Edinburgh in the 18th century ................................................................ 7
❖ Edinburgh in the 19th century ................................................................ 8
❖ Edinburgh in the 20th century ................................................................ 9
❖ Edinburgh in the 21st century ............................................................... 11
2. THINGHS TO SEE .......................................................................................... 11

a) The hole city .................................................................. 11

b) Edinburgh castle ............................................................ 12
c) Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands from Edinburgh ........... 13
d) The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour ...................... 14
e) Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour ................................ 15
f) Skip the Line: Camera Obscura and World of Illusions ......... 15
g) Arthur's Seat ................................................................. 16
3. WEBGRAPHY ................................................................................................... 17

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 1. EDINBURGH HISTORY

a) INTRODUCTION
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of its 32 council
areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably
Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the Firth of
Forth's southern shore.

Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th

century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish
Parliament and the supreme courts of Scotland. The city's Palace of
Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The
city has long been a centre of education, particularly in the fields of
medicine, Scots law, literature, philosophy, the sciences and
engineering. It is the second largest financial centre in the United
Kingdom (after London) and the city's historical and cultural attractions
have made it the United Kingdom's second most popular tourist
destination attracting 1.75 million visits from overseas in 2016.

Edinburgh is Scotland's second most populous city and the

seventh most populous in the United Kingdom. The official population
estimates are 488,050 (2016) for the Locality of Edinburgh (Edinburgh
pre 1975 regionalisation plus Currie and Balerno), 518,500 (2018) for
the City of Edinburgh, and 1,339,380 (2014) for the city region.
Edinburgh lies at the heart of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland
city region comprising East Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Midlothian,
Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

The city is the annual venue of the General Assembly of the

Church of Scotland. It is home to national institutions such as the
National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the
Scottish National Gallery. The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582
and now one of four in the city, is placed 20th in the QS World
University Rankings for 2020. The city is also famous for the Edinburgh
International Festival and the Fringe, the latter being the world's

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largest annual international arts festival. Historic sites in Edinburgh
include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the churches
of St. Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate, and the extensive Georgian
New Town built in the 18th/19th centuries. Edinburgh's Old Town and
New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which
has been managed by Edinburgh World Heritage since 1999.

b) SHORT HISTORY
❖ Edinburgh in the middle ages
Edinburgh began as a fort. Castle Rock is an easily defended
position so from the earliest times it was the site of a fort. In the 7th
century, the English captured this part of Scotland and they called this
place Eiden's burgh (burgh is an old word for fort). In the 10th century,
the Scots re-captured the area. Late in the 11th century, King Malcolm
III built a castle on Castle Rock and a small town grew up nearby. By
the early 12th century Edinburgh was a flourishing community.

In 1128 King David I founded Holyrood Abbey. The Abbey was

manned by Augustinian canons who gave their name to Canongate.
(Gate does not mean a gate in a wall it is from the old word 'gait'
meaning road).

In the Middle Ages there were friars in Edinburgh. Friars were

like monks but instead of withdrawing from the world they went out to
preach. In Edinburgh, there were Dominican friars (called black friars
because of their black costumes) and Augustinian friars (known as grey
friars). Both orders lived in friaries on the southern edge of Edinburgh.

Medieval Edinburgh was famous for making wool cloth. Nearby

was the settlement of Leith which acted as Edinburgh's port. The main
export was hides. Cattle and sheep were sold at a market in Cowgate.
They were then butchered in the town. After 1477 grain and hay were
sold in the Grassmarket.

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 In 1329 Edinburgh was given a charter (a document granting the
townspeople certain rights) a sign of its growing importance. However
in 1296, the English captured Edinburgh castle. They held it until 1322.
Edinburgh suffered in constant warfare between Scots and English. In
1385 the English burned St Giles Kirk and the Town Hall. Despite this
Edinburgh continued to grow and by the 15th century it was Scotland's
de facto capital.

At the end of the 15th century the king built Holyrood House.
John Knox's House was also built at the end of the 15th century.

❖ Edinburgh in the 16th century

By 1500 Edinburgh probably had a population of 12,000. It rose
to about 15,000 by 1550. It seems very small but towns were tiny in
those days. By the standards of the time, Edinburgh was a large town.
As it grew a suburb was built around Canongate. Between 1513 and
1560 a wall was built south of Edinburgh to keep out the English.

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 However the English attacked in 1547 and they sacked Edinburgh
castle. They returned in 1547. Edinburgh was also besieged in 1571
during a civil war. Edinburgh also suffered from outbreaks of the
plague. There were severe attacks in 1585 and 1645. However each
time Edinburgh recovered.

In the late 16th century an English writer described Edinburgh:

'From the King's Palace in the east the city rises higher and higher to
the west and consists mainly of one broad and very fair street. The rest
of the side streets and alleys are poorly built and inhabited by very
poor people. And its length from east to west is about a mile while the
width of the city from north to south is narrow and cannot be half a
mile'. Huntly House was built c. 1570 and Edinburgh university was
founded in 1583. Canongate Tolbooth was erected in 1591. Lauriston
Castle was built in 1593.

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 ❖ Edinburgh in the 17th century
In the 17th century Edinburgh grew in size and prosperity. This
was despite outbreaks of plague in 1604 and 1645. Meanwhile in 1621
thatched roofs were banned in Edinburgh as they were a fire hazard.

Gladstone's land was built in 1620 by Thomas Gladstone. Lady

Stairs House was built in 1622. In 1623 George Heriot, a merchant left
money in his will to find the Heriot school. Moray House was built c.
1628-1630. Acheson House was built in 1633. Parliament House was
built in 1632-39.

In 1633 Charles I was crowned in Edinburgh. However, he

alienated the people of both England and Scotland. In Scotland, the
last straw was when he tried to change the people's religion by
introducing a new prayer book. A riot began in St Giles cathedral when
somebody threw a stool at the Dean's head. The rioting spread to other
churches in Edinburgh. After months of unrest, a national covenant was
drawn up demanding the king respect Scotland's religion. Prominent
Scots signed it in Greyfriars Kirk. After that, the king effectively lost
control of Scotland.

In 1650, after the battle of Dunbar, the English occupied

Edinburgh. However, after their departure, Edinburgh continued to
grow in size and prosperity. By the end of the 17th century, the
population of Edinburgh had probably risen to about 50,000.

Meanwhile the Botanic Garden was founded in 1670 (it moved to

its present site in 1823) and Holyrood House was rebuilt in 1672. In
1685 a statue of Charles II was erected in Edinburgh and Canongate
Kirk was built in 1688.

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 ❖ Edinburgh in the 18th century
During the early 18th century Edinburgh continued to grow. By
midcentury it was severely overcrowded. The Lord Provost decided to
build a new town on the land north of Edinburgh. In 1767 a competition
was held to decide the best plan. The winner was a young architect
called James Craig. Accordingly new broad streets, circuses and
crescents were erected at the New Town.

In 1759 the city fathers also drained the Nor Loch, a body of
water north of Edinburgh. North Bridge was built in 1772. The
Assembly Rooms were built in 1787. Craig's work was continued by
men like Robert Adam who designed Charlotte Square in 1791.

The Royal Edinburgh Society was founded in 1783. One of the

founding members was the great economist Adam Smith.

Although Georgian Edinburgh was not a manufacturing center

there was an important shipbuilding industry at Leith the city's port.

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 ❖ Edinburgh in the 19th century
In the 19th century Edinburgh did not become a manufacturing
center and so lost its position as Scotland's number one city to
Glasgow. The only significant industries in Edinburgh were printing and
brewing. Edinburgh remained a city of lawyers and bankers.

Edinburgh was also famous for its literary figures and was called
the Athens of the North. Yet alongside upper and middle class elegance
there was a great deal of poverty and overcrowding. Like other cities
Edinburgh suffered outbreaks of cholera in 1832 and in 1848-49.

Despite its failure to become an industrial center Edinburgh grew

rapidly during the 19th century. The population was under 100,000 in
1801 but it grew to 170,000 in 1851.

Princes Street was finished by 1805 and by the early 19th century
the New Town was complete. In the mid-19th century many Irish
immigrants arrived in Edinburgh fleeing from famine.

Meanwhile amenities in Edinburgh improved. The Nelson

Monument was erected in 1816 and The National Monument was
erected in 1829. The Scott Monument followed in 1846. The National
Gallery was built in 1857.

Furthermore the railway reached Edinburgh in 1842 and The

Royal Infirmary was founded in 1870. The National Portrait Gallery
opened in 1889. Furthermore after 1895 Edinburgh was lit by electric
street lights.

In 1847 Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh. Arthur

Conan Doyle the creator of Sherlock Holmes was born in Edinburgh in
1859.

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 ❖ Edinburgh in the 20th century
In the 20th century Edinburgh remained a city of banking,
insurance and other service industries. Meanwhile Edinburgh's famous
floral clock was made in 1903. Edinburgh zoo opened in 1913. Usher
Hall opened in 1914. The Scottish National War Memorial was built in
1927.

In the 1920s and 1930s Edinburgh council began the task of slum
clearance in Edinburgh and built council houses on the outskirts of the
city to replace them. Many more council houses and flats were built
after 1945.

Meanwhile amenities in Edinburgh continued to improve. City

Museum opened in Edinburgh in 1932. Portobello swimming pool was
opened in 1933. The first Edinburgh festival was held in 1947.

During the 20th century the old industries of insurance, banking,

printing and brewing in Edinburgh continued to prosper. Then in the

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late 20th century tourism became an increasingly important industry.
The Museum of Childhood opened in 1955.

Then Traverse Theatre opened in 1963 and St James Shopping

Centre opened in 1970. The Commonwealth Swimming Pool was built
for the Commonwealth Games which were held in Edinburgh in 1970
and The City Art Centre opened in 1980.

Cameron Toll Shopping Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1984.

Princes Mall followed in 1985. Furthermore the Gallery of Modern Art
opened in Edinburgh in 1984. The Peoples History Museum opened in
1989.

The Gyles Shopping Centre opened in 1993 and The International

Conference Centre opened in 1995. The Scottish Tartan Museum
opened in Edinburgh in 1997 and The Museum of Scotland opened in
1998. In 1999 the Dynamic Earth exhibition opened.

Also in 1999 a Scottish parliament opened in Edinburgh after a

gap of 292 years.

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 ❖ Edinburgh in the 21st century
In the 21st century Edinburgh continued to thrive. Ocean
Terminal Shopping Centre opened in 2001. A tram system was built in
Edinburgh. Today the population of Edinburgh is 482,000.

2. THINGHS TO SEE

a) The hole city

Edinburgh… there we go!!!!

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 b) Edinburgh castle

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most exciting historic sites in

Western Europe. Set in the heart of Scotland's dynamic capital city, it
is sure to capture your imagination. The scenery will take your breath
away.

Edinburgh Castle is alive with exciting tales of its time as a

military fortress, royal residence and prison of war.

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 c) Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands from
Edinburgh

After departing from a central Edinburgh location, travel past

Stirling Castle on the way to your first stop, Kilmahog, home to the
famous Highland Cows. As you continue northward, catch sight of the
scenery of Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe, where you can take a short
break for photo opportunities.

Stop for lunch at Fort William via Loch Linhe, where you can
absorb unobstructed views of Ben Nevis, one of Scotland’s highest
mountains. Your next stop is Loch Ness, home of the legendary Loch
Ness Monster, where you can enjoy free time for exploring. Opt to take
a boat ride to the ruins of Urquhart Castle (own expense).

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 Return to Edinburgh via Inverness and the Grampian Mountains
for drop-off at your original departure point.

d) The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

Discover the most enchanted city in the world on a ghost tour of

Edinburgh and let yourself be frightened by one of its most infamous
children as you discover the dark side of the old city. Discover the
hidden alleys of the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh's most
horrifying secrets.

Then, visit the one that is considered the most haunted cemetery
in the world, the Greyfriars Kirkyard. Finally, enter the subsoil of the
city and explore the crypts that are under its streets. Completed in
1788, this series of cameras were used to house taverns and store illicit
material, such as the bodies of those killed by Burke and Hare for their
medical experiments.

Travel through 400 years of history and listen to true stories

about hanging, torture, murder and witchcraft. Tremble with strange
noises and unexplained odors that appear when the sun sets.

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 e) Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

Many people know that the Harry Potter magic started here in
Edinburgh.

J.K. Rowling first started writing the series of Harry Potter in

magical Edinburgh and also took inspiration from the area to write the
book and for the film location as well. On this tour you will get to visit
some of the famous sites highlighted in the books such as the burial
ground of Voldemort, buildings that inspired the creating of Hogwarts
and see the views from where J.K. Rowling wrote her books.

This is a great tour that combines the beauty, history, pop culture
and literature into one tour!

f) Skip the Line: Camera Obscura and World of

Illusions

World of Illusions: As you weave your way through our World of

Illusions, remember one important rule: nothing here is what it seems.
Venture into five floors full of things you’ve probably never seen before.

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A swirling light vortex that can sweep you off your feet. A maze made
of mirrors. A chance to swap noses with a friend. It’s all here.

Camera Obscura show: A dark room. A large table. A beam of

light. When you walk into our special rooftop chamber, things seem
pretty straightforward. But wait. An image of Edinburgh appears on the
table. The narrow closes of the Old Town. The sophisticated crescents
of the New Town. What happens next is like nothing you’ve seen
before. There are no projectors here – just clever Victorians with
technology that brought moving pictures to the people of Edinburgh,
long before cinema was invented. Watch as your guide leads you on a
fascinating adventure through (and over) this UNESCO World Heritage
Site. The people you can see are real – and are walking down
Edinburgh’s streets at this very moment. Scoop them up. Squash
them. Build bridges for them to drive over – all without leaving the
room. This is the original virtual reality, Victorian style.

g) Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano, and sits 251m above sea level
giving excellent view of the city; it is also the site of a large and well
preserved fort. This is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000
years ago. With its diverse range of flora and geology it is also site of
Special Scientific Interest.

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3. WEBGRAPHY
▪ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh
▪ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-
g186525-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
▪ https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-
do/holyrood-park-and-arthurs-seat-p914341
▪ https://www.viator.com/en-
GB/tours/Edinburgh/Camera-Obscura-Admission-
Ticket/d739-88626P1
▪ https://www.musement.com/es/edimburgo/harry-
potter-walking-tour-of-edinburgh-2687/
▪ https://www.getyourguide.es/edinburgh-
l44/edinburgh-famous-underground-ghost-tour-
t70363/?utm_force=0
▪ https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/
▪ https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductRevie
w-g186525-d11454851-
Loch_Ness_Glencoe_The_Highlands_from_Edinburgh-
Edinburgh_Scotland.html
▪ https://es.maps-edinburgh.com/el-castillo-de-
edimburgo-mapa

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