Yearly, our capital city welcomes 3.69 million visitors from all across the globe (a number akin to the entire population of Eritrea paying us a visit in just 1 year!).
So, with a steady population and an endless supply of tourists, you’d assume we’ve got the city figured out right? Wrong. What do we mean? Well, continue reading to discover 10 bizarre facts about Auld Reekie. (Scots: ‘Old Smoky’)
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9. The origins of the name “Edinburgh” are still disputed to this day
“Dùn Èideann” is the Scottish Gaelic for ‘Edinburgh’ that is understood as ‘Fort Eidyn’ or ‘Edwin’s Fort’ to some. This was thought to be due to Edwin of Northumbria, a powerful English ruler that reigned in 616, but no evidence supports that he even stepped foot here. It is more probable that The Votadini, the dominant Iron Age Celtic tribe of the Lothians, coined the term ‘Eidyn’ for the region. Photo: Contributed
10. Edinburgh has a historical track record for its love of dogs
Edinburgh is the only city worldwide to have a dog on the list of citizens given the ‘Freedom of the City’. Of course, we’re referring to the famous Greyfriars Bobby, who is just one of five dog-related statues and memorials within walking distance from the city centre. In Edinburgh, dogs leave pawprints in our city and our hearts. Photo: Contributed