The Celtic culture we know through songs and stories is often a rural culture of small villages, fields, and ancient forests. But the Celtic world also has some great cities, like the magnificent Edinburgh.
Located on the southern coast of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has been recognized as Scotland's capital since at least the 15th century. After almost three centuries of British rule, the devolved Scottish Parliament officially opened in Edinburgh, although after almost three centuries of British rule, actual political power moved south to London after the Royal Union of 1603 and Parliamentary Union of 1707. and a certain degree of autonomy has returned. In 1999.
Every corner of Edinburgh is a reminder of its rich history. Explore the narrow cobbled areas of the Old Town and the graceful Georgian crescent of the New Town and you'll see why they're UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The famous Edinburgh Tower is built on top of the castle rock that dominates the city. Along with Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, or Stone of Scone, is kept in the castle. The stone was used for centuries in the coronation ceremonies of Scottish monarchs, then of England and Great Britain, and has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between England and Scotland. Legend has it that the real stone was replaced with a fake in the 13th century or in the 1950s. And to this day, the real stone is believed to be secretly hidden.
Edinburgh Castle is also one of the most haunted places in Scotland, and one of its famous ghosts is the Long Piper. The story goes that hundreds of years ago, a secret tunnel was discovered deep underground, leading from the castle through the city. A piper boy was sent below to investigate and was told to play his pipe at all times so those above could record his progress through the tunnel. The music suddenly stopped, so they went down to look for the piper, but he was gone. His ghostly pipes can still be heard playing in the castle today as he walks forever through the dark tunnels below.
Outside the castle, the medieval Old Town continues down High Street and Canongate towards the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the New Scottish Parliament. These streets are collectively known as the Royal Mile and include St. Giles' Cathedral and the Children's Museum, John Knox's House, Greyfriars, King's Mary's, the Tartan and Whiskey Lined Gray There are countless stone shops. Edinburgh is also home to popular national institutions such as the National Museum, the National Library and the National Gallery of Scotland.
The city's economy has traditionally been centered around banking and insurance, making it the UK's largest financial center after London. It is also a beloved and admired center for international arts education. Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh was ranked 17th in the 2014 World University Rankings. Festivals take place all year round, from Hogmanay to the Edinburgh International Festival, Book Festival and the largest international arts festival, the famous Fringe Festival. In the world.
In 2004, Edinburgh became the world's first UNESCO City of Literature, awarded in recognition of its rich literary heritage. Perhaps the novelist Alexander McCall Smith summed up Edinburgh best when he said, “It was a city of winding cobbled streets and lofty columns, a city raised by the teeth of a cold wind from the east. It was a city of dark nights, candlelight, and intelligence.'' “A city of shifting lights, changing skies, and sudden landscapes. A city so beautiful that it often breaks my heart.''
For the Celtic Cultural Alliance, Kate Scuffle – Slainte!