Edinburgh

About

Though the area has been settled since around 8500 BC, Edinburgh as it stands today didn’t begin to develop until the early Middle Ages. Despite nearly constant warring with the English, Edinburgh grew exponentially over the years, and by the 18th century, was one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. This led to the development of the neo-Classical ‘New Town’, and the city’s new nickname - ‘Athens of the North’. Today, visitors can explore the compact Old Town, highlighted by the 12th century Palace of Holyroodhouse (open to visitors when the Queen isn’t home), and the imposing Edinburgh Castle, where visitors will find the Scottish Crown Jewels and the ‘Witches Well’, where women were burned for witchcraft during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the New Town, amongst the many neo-Classical monuments, visitors can how the upper class lived in the 18th century ‘Georgian House’, or relax in front of the 200 foot neo-Gothic spire dedicated to Sir Walter Scott.