A BRIEF HISTORY OF EDINBURGH

Edinburgh
There was a fort at Castle Rock back as far as the iron age and by the 12th century Edinburgh had become a town and royal burgh. By the 16th century James IV had created the beginnings of a royal palace at the site of the old Holy Rude Abbey. The stretch between the Castle and Holyrood, known as the royal mile was and still is the epi-center of 'Old Town' Edinburgh. Old Town is characterized by it's high storied tenaments, narrow wynds and closes.

The political union of Scotland and England in 1707 brought with it greater prosperity to Scotland which led to a spate of new building throughout the 1700's. At that time there was a great affinity for the classical forms of ancient Greece and Rome. Indeed, some of the most important British architects of this time were Scottish. Thousands of houses were built in the classical style along neatly laid out streets and squares.

The downside to this development was that old town was largely deserted by the wealthy people who had once resided there and left to decay. Of course today, Old Town and New Town have both been declared World Heritage Sites. Old Town is prosperous once more and the buildings have been restored and preserved.

Click on the links below for more information

Edinburgh City Guide
Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh
Edinburgh Galeries
Edinburgh Weather
Scottish News
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
National Museums of Scotland

Planning Your Trip

Historic Scotland
Scotland’s Devolved Parliament
Scotland On-Line
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