Highlights

Learn a few Edinburgh facts, about its grisly surgical history and the reason the New Town was built.

Edinburgh Fact

Edinburgh's New Town is the most extensive area of surviving Georgian architecture in the world, built when the Old Town was bursting at its seams.

Edinburgh Fact

Burke and Hare became notorious for providing bodies of dubious origin to the anatomy department of Edinburgh's medical school in the 18th century.

Edinburgh Fact

Edinburgh's famous department store, Jenners, is the world's oldest independent department store. Founded in 1838, it was originally planned as a small corner shop.

Edinburgh Fact

Edinburgh Castle has never been officially conquered, but it was taken by stealth one night in 1314 when the Earl of Murray, with the help of a local soldier, sneaked into the besieged castle and forced the governor to resign.

Edinburgh Fact

The University of Edinburgh was established by royal charter granted by James VI in 1582.

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