Little France, a district in southeast Edinburgh, is named after the French servants and courtiers who lived there while accompanying Mary, Queen of Scots, in the 16th century. It was a residential area for her retinue while she stayed at nearby Craigmillar Castle. The area was sometimes referred to as "Petty France".
It acquired its name from members of the entourage brought to Scotland from France by Mary, Queen of Scots, who took up residence at nearby Craigmillar Castle. The French left the city following the siege of Leith, under the terms of the Treaty of Edinburgh.
The Petite France district in Strasbourg is a historic area located on the Grande Île, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Its name originates from the hospice established in the late 15th century for those afflicted by what was then referred to as "smallpox," which was actually syphilis.
Edinburgh is called "Auld Reekie" (Scots for "Old Smoky") due to the thick smog and foul odors from 16th and 17th-century coal fires, crowded tenements with unhygienic conditions and waste, and the polluted Nor' Loch, creating a smoky, smelly atmosphere that hung over the Old Town, visible from afar.
“Auld Reekie” is an old nickname for Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It means “old smoky” in Scots language and originated from around the 16th and 17th centuries.
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.
Eight months after her husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was herself tried, convicted by the Convention for treason to the principles of the revolution, and executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793.
Trécon, in case you missed it, sounds exactly like "très con" which means "really dumb" or "very stupid" in English. The mayor said that it wasn't uncommon for people to steal his village's road signs - something that many other villages with similarly strange names can relate to.
Unfortunately less than half of the £42,000 required was raised in a public appeal, and only 12 columns were finished, leading to the monument's nickname a 'National Disgrace'.
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).
Edinburgh is called "Auld Reekie" (Scots for "Old Smoky") due to the thick smog and foul odors from 16th and 17th-century coal fires, crowded tenements with unhygienic conditions and waste, and the polluted Nor' Loch, creating a smoky, smelly atmosphere that hung over the Old Town, visible from afar.
In Scottish (Scots) language, "auld" means "old," used for people, places, or things, often with affection or to distinguish the older of two, as seen in "Auld Lang Syne" (old long since) or "Auld Reekie" (Edinburgh). It signifies age, history, or a long-standing association, such as the historic "Auld Alliance" between Scotland and France.
In Scotland, "reek" primarily means smoke, steam, or vapor, often linked to the traditional blessing "Lang may yer lum reek!" (Long may your chimney smoke!), wishing a long, prosperous, and warm life; it can also mean an unpleasant smell, but its common usage is positive, representing a well-kept home with a smoking chimney. Edinburgh is nicknamed "Auld Reekie" (Old Smoky) for its historical smoke-covered skyline, further showing this connection to smoke, says Wikipedia.
"Och aye the noo" is a stereotypical Scottish phrase meaning "Oh yes, right now," but Scots rarely say the full phrase together; instead, "och aye" (oh yes) and "the noo" (right now/just now) are used separately, and the combined phrase is mostly used in parody or by non-Scots. It's a classic example of a "Scotticism" used for comedic effect, representing exaggerated Scottishness.
“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.
Whit's fur ye'll no go past ye – Whatever is meant to happen will happen. Ma heid's mince – My head is mince, meaning I'm a bit confused. Yer oot yer face! – You're extremely intoxicated from the effects of alcohol.
Scabby - Dirty. Shut yer pus - Shut up; shut your mouth. Tube - Idiot. Yer aff yer heid - You're crazy. Yer bum's oot the windae - You're talking nonsense; not making sense.
