While you will realize that Scotland is me to several weird, quirky, and unusual things, there is one more thing that can never be neglected. Edinburgh has a lot of fun stuff to do and it is brimming with such fun activities. Edinburgh also has an extremely interesting history.
What Makes So Special?
Edinburgh has been a great source of inspiration for artists, especially poets and writers. Its natural beauty is so eye-catching that one can never resist gazing at it. Its beauty is a beautiful blend of transitional and modern features. It is one of the UK’S most friendly cities.
Edinburgh’s Beautiful Views
Standing on one of the highest rocks known as the Castle Rock is the grand Edinburgh castle. The Edinburgh castle is a fort that has stood there for over a thousand years and is also one of the most attacked places in the world. To our excitement, the ‘black dinner’ of the Edinburgh castle has also inspired the red wedding of the game of thrones. The castle is the oldest building in the city and it has a fantastic view.
The skyline of Edinburgh is dominated by a long-extinct volcano, called Arthur’s seat. From the top, you get to see a fascinating view that acts seasonal i.e., Yellow in summers due to extensive flower Bloom and white with snow in winters.
Some More of History
History reveals that Edinburgh was primarily known as Auld Reekie which in non-Scottish English refers to thick smoke. It acquires this name because of the thick smog that came out of the chimney and a very well known lake called the nor loch which was a lake at the bottom of the Edinburgh castle.
The nor loch served as the pool for the runoff from the Edinburgh old town, where the Edinburgh’s people used to fling their waste into the street. Well, it was then drained and was turned into a handy train station and beautiful gardens.
Transport in Edinburgh
Some students find little need for public transport on daily basis as students University campus is within walking distance or cycling distance. Thus, travelling in and out of Edinburgh is easy. There are two stations at the ends of the city and cheap megabus facility is available to Glasgow (famous place for a night out and for shopping purposes).
There are two train stations in Edinburgh and Lothian Buses run throughout Edinburgh that makes easy for students.
New Traditions
If history is not what has fascinated you, there is much more to talk about. From food to extremely fun dance style called the ceilidhs, festivals, cozy pubs and spots that motivated the author of Sherlock Holmes, there is so much about Edinburgh. It has a large number of filming locations and also has a huge tradition of universities.
Harry Potter
Next, that comes up is Harry Potter. JK Rowling wrote several series in Edinburgh and it is quite evident how Edinburgh has inspired the characters and places in the book.
The castle-like Schools in Hogwarts and the Diagon Alley, are all those things that Hogwarts is inspired from.
For all the Potter heads out there, the Potter mania is everywhere. Shops are selling Hogwarts scarves, jumpers, and beanies. A local improvisation group puts up a Harry Potter themed show every Thursday night and also, there is a no. Of shops that sell the wizarding world merchandise.
Decoding The ScottishSlang
As soon as you land up in Edinburgh, you will hear people saying haste ye back on the airport. This simply means come back soon.
The slangs are not very difficult and you would pick some of the slangs easily. Also, if you would talk to the locals, they would never mind helping you DECODING their slangs.
Some of the commonly used slangs that you are likely to hear once you reach Edinburgh are:-
- Aye:- yes
- Nay:- no
- Cannae or Canna:- can’t
- Guide:- good
- Dug:- dog
- Coo:- cow
- Ye:- you
- Auld:- old
- Take:- to
- Ragin’:- angry
- Haar:- it is a kind of weather phenomenon where winds from the north sea occupy EDINBURGH giving it a spooky vibe.
Living In Edinburgh As A Student
Choosing the Scotland capital for a university is undoubtedly a great choice. But before directly getting into Edinburgh, you must get familiar with the virtues of the city. Its history started long back in time in the year 1582 and it is the beauty and charm of the city that it attracts millions of students every year.
Things Of Attraction Students In Edinburgh
After you finish up with the touristy bit, there are many more things in Edinburgh that are a little offbeat, but still, is highly liked by the tenants out there. To know about things that you should not miss on when you choose Edinburgh as a place of studying, continue reading the article.
- Breakfast At Spoon:- As mentioned in the article before, Harry Potter is highly inspired by Edinburgh’s locations. Keeping this in mind that JK Rowling had worked in Harry Potter being in Edinburgh, it is a place of academic pursuits. Blending such an environment with some high-class food makes it a perfect place for students to dine in.
The spoon lies in the proximity of many campuses around the town and a good breakfast at it will make you ready for the day, however hectic it may be. So, on days where some rigorous work is required, it would be a great option to head towards Spoon, without giving it another thought.
- Take a stroll down the Leith:- On all those lazy Sundays or during the brainstorming periods of studies, walking down a 13- mile river will clear one’s head, calm him down and prepare him for the next venture. As a student with a lot of work to do, this place will surely provide you with a sigh of relief.
- Cramond Island:- This place is one of the best islands to visit as soon as you reach Edinburgh for your studies. Though it involves a bit of a journey to reach this place out of the town, it is just a half-hour journey and truly, it is worth it. Once you reach there, you can chill out at the waterfront drinking cocktails. Visiting this place is a must once to visit Edinburgh because of its immense beauty.
