What is the origin of the name Edinburgh?
The name Edinburgh derives from Din Eidyn, a Brittonic stronghold located on Castle Rock. The word din became burh as language shifted from Cumbric to Scots, producing the modern name Edinburgh.
Questions about Edinburgh
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did King David I found the royal burgh in Edinburgh?
King David I founded the royal burgh in the early 12th century on land belonging to the Crown. The first documentary evidence appears in a royal charter granting a toft to the Priory of Dunfermline.
On what date did the Treaty of Union take effect for Edinburgh?
The Treaty of Union took effect on the 1st of May 1707, uniting the two kingdoms into Great Britain. This event established Edinburgh as part of the new political entity known as Great Britain.
Which year was the Scotland Act passed to establish the Parliament in Edinburgh?
In 1998 the Scotland Act came into force establishing a devolved Scottish Parliament based in Edinburgh. Both the Parliament and Scottish Executive are responsible for governing Scotland while reserved matters remain with London.
What geological process created the distinctive crag and tail formation at Edinburgh Castle?
Igneous activity between 350 and 400 million years ago led to creation of tough basalt volcanic plugs. One such example is the Castle Rock which forced advancing ice sheets to divide sheltering softer rock.