Edinburgh (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann) is the capital city of Scotland, on the Southern shore of the Firth of Forth, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland, after Glasgow, and is Scotland’s financial, cultural, educational, and service industry hub. The city is also the seat of Scotland’s government, where the 129-member Scottish Parliament, created in 1999, meets in a specially built complex along the city’s Royal Mile, near Holyrood Palace.

Edinburgh’s history and architectural riches make it one of the chief tourism centers in the United Kingdom. The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of the city combines the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, with views that make for perfect picture postcards, and an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, Edinburgh offers a subtle balance between the traditional and the contemporary.

The city of Edinburgh lies within the Lothians region, where one can discover tales of Scotland’s past. Stately homes, dramatic castles and medieval chapels all provide a sense of Scotland’s impressive history.

The area has many historic towns and scenic villages, which are great for exploring. From award winning beaches, and some of Scotland’s most impressive visitor attractions, the Lothians offer plenty of things to see and do.