Whether Edinburgh is your intended destination or just a brief stopover on the way to your new home, we have compiled this guide to help you get your bearings on arrival. To obtain more details about the city check out the websites listed at the end of this profile.
Scotland’s capital Edinburgh is truly a beautiful and unique city. Known for its breathtaking skylines and profound historic setting, you will easily be impressed with the city’s stunning landscape and rich urban culture.
There are approximately 457,800 people residing in the city, according to 2005 Mid-year Population Estimates (source: The City of Edinburgh Council).
Edinburgh lies on the coast of Scotland by the Firth of Forth bringing a temperate maritime climate to the city. Just a short drive outside the city centre there is to be found stunning beaches, green landscapes and boundless hillside. Local authority areas of the Lothians (Mid, East and West) and the local authority areas of (south) Fife, (north) Scottish Borders and Forth Valley are found in the wider Edinburgh City Region.
Edinburgh’s economy is strongly focused on banking, financial services and tourism. The city is Europe’s sixth largest financial centre, with the headquarters of the Bank of Scotland being established over 300 years ago in the city and now is the world’s fifth largest bank. Edinburgh has developed as Scotland’s legal and political centre with many departments of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament located in the city.
There is easy access to the capital via plane, train, car, coach or ferry. There are great rail services running through the UK and direct schedule flights to and from major airports both internationally and in the UK. Once you have arrived, getting around Edinburgh is made simple with local buses servicing the majority of the city and train and bus services covering the wider Lothian Region.
With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, Edinburgh offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary. 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. You’ll see views that make for perfect picture postcards, mysterious winding streets, elegant terraces and an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. In August when the festival season starts, Edinburgh transforms into the largest celebration of arts and culture in the world. You will find the streets lined with buskers, craft stalls, performers and tourists all contributing to the cultural and artistic atmosphere. During the off season the culture certainly lives on with plenty of theatres, galleries, music, dance venues and cinemas with something to suit just about everyone.
Edinburgh has a beautiful backdrop of nearly 1500 acres of green spaces including gardens, woodlands and a total of 144 parks. There are a number of sports and recreation facilities in the city including swimming pools, sports centres, sailing schools, golf courses and other social and recreational activities. Beyond the city, the Lothian countryside provides a beautiful setting for the rich gems of the capital. This is an area steeped in history, filled with castles, great houses and battle sites. It's also the ancient home of the game of golf and you can find some of the great links and parkland courses of the world here. In fact, the trails and parkland and miles of glorious coastline in the Lothians open up the countryside for everyone - from picnickers on the fine golden beaches, to walkers high in the Pentland Hills.
|
Month |
Daily Sunlight Hours |
Temperature
|
Average Rainfall |
|
|
Max |
Min |
mm |
|
Jan |
2 |
1 |
57 |
|
Feb |
3 |
1 |
39 |
|
March |
4 |
2 |
39 |
|
April |
5 |
4 |
39 |
|
May |
6 |
6 |
54 |
|
June |
6 |
9 |
47 |
|
July |
5 |
11 |
83 |
|
Aug |
4 |
11 |
77 |
|
Sept |
4 |
9 |
57 |
|
Oct |
3 |
7 |
65 |
|
Nov |
2 |
4 |
62 |
|
Dec |
1 |
2 |
57 |
City of Edinburgh Council
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Edinburgh Tourism
www.edinburgh.org
