A Guide to Living in City of Edinburgh

Where is City of Edinburgh?

The county of City of Edinburgh is located in the central part of Scotland. It’s bordered by the Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south.

Areas in City of Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh is divided into a number of different areas, each with its own unique character. Some of the most popular areas include:

Inverleith – A wealthy area located to the north of the city of Edinburgh, Inverleith is home to leafy parks and grand Georgian architecture and is popular with families.

Broughton – A trendy and vibrant area located in the northeast of the city, Broughton is home to a large student population and has plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants.

Pentland Hills – A popular area located to the south of City of Edinburgh, Pentland Hills is a semi-rural location that has great views over the city and boasts a number of historic features.

Almond – A desirable and affluent area located in the southwest of Edinburgh, Almond is popular with young professionals and families.

Inverleith – A wealthy area located in the north of the city, Inverleith is home to a number of large parks and some of Edinburgh’s most prestigious schools.

Murrayfield – A centrally located area that is popular with families, Murrayfield is known for its rugby stadium and has a wide range of shops and restaurants.

Leith – Once an independent town, Leith is now a district of Edinburgh and is popular with young professionals. It has a lively nightlife and a strong arts scene.

Stockbridge – An affluent area located in the northwest of the city, Stockbridge is home to a number of independent boutiques and restaurants.

South Queensferry – A picturesque town on the banks of the Firth of Forth, South Queensferry is popular with commuters who work in Edinburgh but want to live outside of the city centre.

Universities in City of Edinburgh

There are several universities located within the county of City of Edinburgh, including:

The University of Edinburgh – Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s ancient universities and has a strong reputation across the world. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Heriot-Watt University – Established in 1821, Heriot-Watt university is a public research university with campuses across the UK including City of Edinburgh. The institution offers a range of courses from foundation to doctoral degrees as well as professional qualifications for business and industry.

Queen Margaret University College – Queen Margaret University College (informally QMUC) is a public university based in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. The college was founded as Queen Margaret College in 1875 with its main campus located on Colinton Road adjacent to the Meadows and around three miles from the centre of the city of Edinburgh.

Top Schools in City of Edinburgh

There are a number of top schools located within the county, including:

Our Lady’s – a Roman Catholic girls’ school in Edinburgh, Our Lady’s has a reputation for very high academic standards achieved through a selective admissions policy.

George Watson’s College – George Watson’s is an independent day school for boys aged between seven and eighteen years, situated on Colinton Road in the southwest of Edinburgh. The School was founded at the bequest of Robert Watson in 1741, making it one of the oldest independent schools in Scotland.

George Heriot’s School – a private, independent, coeducational day school in Edinburgh, Scotland, catering for pupils from pre-school age to 18 years. The school is housed in a building that was designed by the world-renowned architect Sir Robert Smirke and built in the neo-gothic style between 1823 and 1829.

Royal High School – a selective state secondary school for boys in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Royal High School is one of the four traditional ancient “public schools” in Edinburgh, and seven other such schools operate in various locations throughout Scotland.

St Columba’s – a co-educational independent day school in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference and the Eton Group.

Population of City of Edinburgh

The Population of City of Edinburgh sits at around 527,620 as of 2019. The county plays host to the capital of Scotland and has seen a rise in population over recent years as people are being priced out of other areas, such as London.