The Old Town of Edinburgh has been at the heart of Scottish history for centuries. There was a fort on the Castle Rock, which was occupied in the Bronze and Iron Age. Following a brief visit by the Romans, the Angles of Northumbria came, saw, conquered and hung around for a while. In the 7th century, their king, Edwin, rebuilt the earlier fortress of Dun Eadain – the Fortress on the Slope – and changed its name to Edwin's Burgh.By the 12th century Edinburgh had become a town and royal burgh. After David I founded the Abbey of the Holy Rude in the royal park Edinburgh developed down the long road between the Castle and Holyrood. By the 16th century James IV had created the beginnings of a royal palace at Holyrood and had made Edinburgh known throughout Europe.
The weather in Edinburgh is that of a temperate maritime climate. During the summer months, from late May until early September, Edinburgh has mainly fine, sunny days. However, much of the rain the city receives also falls in the summer months. The city begins to descend in to winter from the end of October, only beginning to emerge in March. The city has less rain in winter than in the other 3 seasons, and has many bright, clear and sunny (but cold) days. Springtime in Edinburgh begins in March and last until towards the end of May. It is generally mild, with periods of warm sunny days interrupted by days of rain and wind. Autumn in Edinburgh begins from the middle of September and lasts until then end of October. Like spring, Edinburgh in the autumn is generally mild, but with more rainy days, as autumn typically suffers more rainfall.
The economy of Edinburgh is largely based around the services sector; mainly banking, financial services and tourism. Banking has been a part of the economic life of Edinburgh for over 300 years, with the establishment of the Bank of Scotland by an act of the original Parliament of Scotland in 1695. Today, Edinburgh has emerged as Europe’s sixth largest financial centre. The Royal Bank of Scotland, headquartered in Edinburgh, is the fifth largest bank in the world. Brewing, publishing, and electronics have had a longstanding presence in the Edinburgh economy. Tourism is an important economic mainstay of the city.
Edinburgh International Airport is located just 8 miles west of the city center and is connected to the city by fast and frequent bus service. Public transport is generally good and efficient. There's no tram system within the city and Edinburgh commuters rely on the frequent bus service. There are two main bus companies operate most services in and around the city: Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh provide bus service within the city and to outlying districts. Driving around Edinburgh is not recommended as the town is reasonably small and the best way is to move in the public transport or foot. Taxis in Edinburgh are mainly black hackney cabs. All the taxis are licensed and have meters. Edinburgh's taxi companies include the City Cabs and Central Radio Taxis.
The City of Edinburgh maintains a system of state schools that provide free primary and secondary education. The city also provides free nursery schools and schools for children with special needs as well as a program of community education for youth and adults. In addition, Edinburgh has several fee-paying independent schools—more than any other Scottish city—whose pupils dress in different distinctive blazers and rarely wear overcoats, even in winter.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of the city combines the medieval Old Town, the Georgian New Town and award winning modern architecture.
The Edinburgh Castle that stands on the craggy mound of an extinct volcano in the heart of Edinburgh is the city's top attraction, a proud symbol of the Scots nation. The castle rock has been inhabited since 800 BC, but today most of the remaining structures date from around the 16th century (except for St Margaret's chapel, Edinburgh's oldest building, dating from the early 12th century). Of all the things to see and experience at the castle (including the spectacular view of the city) the favourite for visitors is the Crown Room, which contains the Scottish crown jewels and regalia of state. Also on view here is the legendary 'Stone of Scone' upon which all the monarchs of Scotland have been crowned. The castle also still functions as a military headquarters, and is the site of the annual, world-renowned and most spectacular military tattoo, held in August. At 1pm each day, except Sunday, the one o'clock gun is fired, traditionally to allow ships in the Firth of Forth to check their chronometers. The gun is also fired at New Year to mark midnight during the Hogmanay celebrations.
The Palace of Holyrood was originally an abbey, built in the 12th century, and later the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, notorious for her turbulent reign and dramatic life. Today the Palace is the official Scottish Royal residence, and is used by the Royal family for state ceremonies and entertaining, but much of the imposing baroque building is open to visitors.
Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by the conclusion of the exciting novel, later turned movie, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, this 15th-century Gothic church has become a touristic place of pilgrimage, just six miles (10km) south of Edinburgh's city centre. Known among the clergy as the 'Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew', the church was founded in 1446 and features the famous apprentice pillar, and remains a working church with regular services on Sundays.
Edinburgh not only hosts the world's greatest arts festival in Aug, but also stages several other notable events throughout the rest of the year. The most renowned of these is Edinburgh's Hogmanay, which has grown to become one of the world's major winter events and which was the largest Millenium celebration in the northern hemisphere. It starts on the 29 Dec with a torchlit procession through the city centre followed by four days of various events, including pop and rock concerts.
