Edinburgh’s literary tradition is assured to this day through writing talent such as JK Rowling, Ian Rankin, Irvine Welsh – one of Heriot-Watt’s very own graduates – and Alexander McCall-Smith. This is why Edinburgh is the world’s first City of Literature.
Science and discovery also continue to play a huge part in defining the city. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh in the 1800s, while more recently; one of the city’s many bio-industry companies was the first in the world to clone a mammal –the elegantly named Dolly the Sheep.
Creative endeavour makes the city tick. Some of the world’s top selling video game titles were developed in Edinburgh including Grand Theft Auto by Rockstar Games. Work from some of the UK’s leading architects and interior designers can be seen throughout the city and a new animation studio has just been established here.
By day, Edinburgh is a smart and sophisticated centre of culture and commerce. But it is at night that the city really comes alive with its vast array of pubs, bars and clubs.
Edinburgh is also a city for sport – two top Scottish Premier League football teams, athletics at Meadowbank Stadium, swimming at the Commonwealth Pool, world-class rugby at Murrayfield, skiing and snowboarding at Hillend, climbing at Ratho Adventure Centre and an array of top golf clubs are just some of the great attractions for all you sport addicts out there.
To top it all, Edinburgh is lucky to have significant and magnificent green spaces – the impressive extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat and its associated park lie at the heart of the city. If that wasn’t enough, you are within easy striking distance of some of the world’s most beautiful wild landscapes, from the Trossachs to the West and the Highlands to the North and the Borders to the South.
Edinburgh is a cradle of learning and discovery. Described as a ‘hotbed of genius’ in the 18th Century, the city continues to act as a base for those at the forefront of financial, scientific, creative, political and cultural endeavour. While the pursuit of learning and career progression is assured, you can live life to the full in some of the UK’s best pubs, clubs, galleries, visitor attractions and, of course, shops.
Edinburgh is perhaps best known for its world famous cultural festivals and events which attract some 1.4 million visitors to the city each year. Thousands flock to enjoy the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the international festivals devoted to films, books, jazz and blues, politics and science and, of course, the unique ‘Hogmanay’ celebrations.
Edinburgh – a culturally diverse, historically significant, socially alive, environmentally aware, politically central, visually stimulating experience. In other words you will live and study in Scotland’s stunning capital – renowned for its cultural festivals, its rich learning tradition, its magnificent buildings (old and new), a unique city environment, and a youthful vigorous outlook on the world.