Welcome to Edinburgh
As Scotland's capital, this city has a vibrant, modern urban appeal coupled with a an old-time Scottish feel marked by a culture driven by tradition and antiquity as well as ancient architecture. Edinburgh is located on the north central edge of the Central Belt, and its gorgeous geographical features are a huge draw for tourists. It's laid out along the Firth of Forth's southern shore and filled with eroded plugs created from volcanic activity from long ago as well as valleys carved out from glaciation. Note that the climate conditions can vary greatly from night to day, but the best time to visit is May through September, when it's at its most temperate.
The locals lovingly call Edinburgh "Auld Reekie," (which means "Old Smokey") a reference to a time when homes were heated by wood and coal fire, and the chimneys let out thick clouds of smoke. Elements of the city's rich history can be found all throughout. For example, the locale's iconic structure is the Edinburgh Castle, which is home to the Crown Jewels, National War Museum of Scotland and some of the oldest guns in the world. And the city also has an important literary past - famed writers Sir Walter Scott and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were both born here, and the setting has inspired novels such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Irvine Welsh's "Trainspotting."