Edinburgh boasts a rich blend of history and beauty. Its medieval Old Town contrasts with the refined Georgian New Town, featuring lush gardens and neoclassical architecture. Edinburgh Castle, which houses Scotland's crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs. Arthur’s Seat offers panoramic views, while Calton Hill is crowned with iconic monuments and memorials. The College is just a short walk from many famous spots!
1. The World's Largest Arts Festival: Each August, Edinburgh becomes the hub of the Fringe Festival, featuring over 3,000 shows and 50,000 performances across 300 venues, making it the largest arts festival in the world.
2. A Literary Landmark: In 2004, Edinburgh earned the distinction of being the first UNESCO City of Literature, recognizing its deep literary history and thriving contemporary literary scene.
3. A City Shaped by Volcanoes: Edinburgh is built on seven hills, including Arthur’s Seat and Castle Rock, both remnants of ancient volcanic eruptions.
4. Wojtek the Bear: a Syrian brown bear was adopted by soldiers in the Polish army during World War II. He was known for smoking cigarettes & drinking beer! Wojtek was moved to Edinburgh Zoo where he dies in 1963 at age 22.
5. The Birthplace of the Encyclopedia Britannica: Edinburgh is where the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica was published in 1768, making it a key player in the global spread of knowledge.
6. An Elephant in the Castle: In 1838, soldiers returning from Sri Lanka brought an elephant to Edinburgh Castle as their regimental mascot.
7. Over 75% of the city's buildings are listed: more than 4,500 buildings make the list making Edinburgh home to the most listed historical sites in the UK after London.
8. The Royal Mile's True Length: While it’s called the Royal Mile, this famous street is actually a mile and 107 yards long, surpassing a standard mile by a little over 100 yards.
9. A Knighted Penguin: At Edinburgh Zoo, you’ll find Sir Nils Olav, a king penguin who was knighted and holds the honorary rank of Brigadier in the Norwegian Guard.
10. The Unicorn: Scotland's National Animal: while unicorns may not exist in reality, that didn’t stop Scotland from choosing the mythical creature as its national animal. Known for its rich tapestry of myths and legends, Scotland was the perfect place to embrace such a fantastical symbol, alongside other mythical creatures like Selkies and the Loch Ness Monster.
