Ties Project

Edinburgh, a history
The first settlement to be built in Edinburgh was the Celtic fort of Dunedin, controlled by the Votadinii tribe. This fort was probably on the present-day site of Edinburgh Castle.

The Castle itself was not built until the 11th century when King Malcolm III - the fifth King of the United Scotland - decided to build his new castle in Edinburgh. His wife Queen Margaret built a small chapel within the castle. This is now the oldest building in the city. Malcolm’s son David I then built Holyrood Abbey (now Palace) a mile to the east.

Edinburgh Castle

The road between the two is now known as The Royal Mile. It was around this road that the city began to grow.

The Royal Mile

Many houses and businesses were constructed and this new settlement was eventually connected to Lieth: Edinburgh’s port and link to the world.

Leith

During the Scottish Wars of Independence, Edinburgh was captured by the English. After a daring recapture Edinburgh Castle was granted Royal Charter by Robert the Bruce in 1329.

Robert the Bruce

By the end of the 1500’s Edinburgh was made Capital of Scotland, and thus the hub of Royal activity and the site of Parliament. After being made Capital the City continued to extend the height of its buildings along the Royal Mile thus causing them to build on top of already existing buildings, creating underground closes such as Mary King’s Close.

Mary King’s Close

In 1609 James VI Inherited the throne of England and thus the Royal Court was moved to London; while Edinburgh retained its own Government. After the Act of Union in 1707 which created one Parliament to rule over both Scotland and England, Edinburgh lost its Parliament but continued to prosper. The Loch just to the North of the Castle was bridged and work on the New Town began. This is the part of the city which contains modern day Princes Street.

Princes Street

After the Bridge across the Loch collapsed and was rebuilt, the Loch was drained creating what is now Princes Street Gardens.

Princes Street Gardens

During the Victorian era the tenements around the Royal Mile became slums and much of Edinburgh’s industry moved to Glasgow. But Edinburgh was still considered the place for professionals; such as Robert Louis Stevenson.

Robert Louis Stevenson

In modern times Edinburgh has become a UNESCO world Heritage Site for Literature.

This new status, along with the many international festivals that take place in the city have made sure that Edinburgh remains prosperous and a great place to visit.

By Gavin Todd