Photographs of Edinburgh
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Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a beautiful city.
Edinburgh is located on the east coast of south-east Scotland, along
the Firth of Forth, near the North Sea. Owing to its rugged setting
and vast collection of Medieval and Georgian architecture, including
numerous stone tenements, it is often considered one of the most
picturesque cities in Europe.
In the early 7th century it was a part of the Kingdom
of Northumbria, an Anglian kingdom on the east side of Great Britain,
spanning from the River Humber to the Firth of Forth. On Castle Rock,
then known as "Lookout Hill" Edwin of Northumbria a powerful king
founded a fortress to secure the northern part of his territory against
invasion. This fortress was known in the Brythonic language as Din Eidyn,
which means "Edwin's fort" named after the king. This eventually became
Edinburgh.
In the 12th century a small town flourished at the base of the castle,
along side which another community rose up to the East around the Abbey
of Holyrood. Together in the 13th century these became Royal Burghs.
In the 15th century King James IV of Scotland moved the Royal Court from
Stirling to Holyrood, making Edinburgh Scotland's capital.
In Georgian times, new developments to the north of the castle were named
in honour of the King and his family; George Street, Frederick Street,
Hanover Street, Queen Street, Prince’s Street and Castle Street.
17th-century Edinburgh, a defensive city wall defined the boundaries
of the city. Due to the restricted land area available for development,
the houses increased in height instead. Buildings of 11 stories were common.
Many of the stone-built structures can still be seen today in the old town
of Edinburgh.