The most common historic nickname for Edinburgh is "Auld Reekie," which is Scots for "Old Smoky," originating from the 16th/17th centuries when coal smoke filled the city. Locals often refer to the city colloquially as "Embra," which reflects the local pronunciation.
The capital of Scotland, ironically it is often referred to by its nickname Auld Reekie. This old Scots term translates to "Old Smoky" and dates back to when smoke from coal and wood fires would hang over the city.
The city is nicknamed Auld Reekie, Scots for Old Smoky, for the views from the country of the smoke-covered Old Town. A note in a collection of the works of the poet Allan Ramsay explains, "Auld Reeky...A name the country people give Edinburgh, from the cloud of smoke or reek that is always impending over it."
The name Edinburgh is used in both English and Scots for the capital of Scotland; in Scottish Gaelic, the city is known as Dùn Èideann. Both names are derived from an older name for the surrounding region, Eidyn.
West Coast reporter tries Edinburgh slang for first time
Why is Edinburgh known for ghosts?
Edinburgh has a colourful and gruesome past and is home to some of the most haunted places in the world. The ancient, narrow streets of the city's old town provide the perfect setting for some of the haunted stories and tours around the city.
😍🧡 💡 The Gaelic name for Edinburgh is 'Dùn Èideann', which means 'hillfort of Eidyn' and derives from the original name for the area 📍 Visit Edinburgh 📷 Instagram.com/snapsbyshirin. VisitScotland's post. VisitScotland.
“Hello” — Just like in English, Scots often use “hello” for a friendly greeting. “Hiya” — A more informal variant of “hello,” “hiya” is commonly used in casual conversations.
Leith is a geographical gender-neutral name inspired by North Edinburgh's uber-cool port area. The height of effortless hip vibes, Leith comes from the Gaelic lìte, meaning "wet," “damp,” or possibly a Celtic word for “dripping”—a reference to the main river that flows into the district.
The Royal Mile (Scottish Gaelic: Am Mìle Rìoghail) is a series of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. The term originated in the early 20th century and has since entered popular usage.
Edinburgh's famous foods center on hearty Scottish staples like Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, creamy soups such as Cullen Skink, classic baked goods like Shortbread & Tablet, comforting pies like the Scotch Pie, and fresh seafood, alongside unique deep-fried treats and the iconic national drink, Irn-Bru.
No, the Harry Potter movies were not filmed in Edinburgh, but the city was a huge source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling, influencing characters, settings, and names. While you won't find actual film sets, Edinburgh offers many magical spots like Victoria Street (rumored Diagon Alley), Greyfriars Kirkyard (inspiration for names like Tom Riddle), and The Elephant House café (where she wrote).
People from Edinburgh are often called Edinburghers, but there's no single universally agreed-upon term, with Dunediners (from Dunedin, the city's older name) being official but rarely used, and other informal terms like "Edinburgonian" or just saying "I'm from Edinburgh" being common. Locals in surrounding areas sometimes call them "toonies" (from 'town').
Found within Edinburgh Castle itself, St Margaret chapel is not only the oldest building in Edinburgh, but has been right at the heart of power struggles, battles, and wars for nearly nine centuries. The chapel remains in use to this day with small weddings and ceremonies frequently held in this remarkable place.
Some would say that they speak 'Scottish English'. Others might describe their speech as 'British English'. Regardless of what we call the way we talk, the people of Edinburgh come from a wide array of different backgrounds and experiences, and these have shaped the way they use language.
