Edinburgh Old Town Association

17/06/2026

Parliament Hall is to close over the winter as it is heated by coal fires only which will no longer be lit. But surely modern technology will allow some way of introducing minimal heating into the place?
It has been suggested that the Courts alone must generate enough hot air! 😀

Environmental concerns will see part of a building in Edinburgh closed over the winter, because it can only be heated by fireplaces

06/06/2026

Work is finishing on North Bridge - at last!

The main contractors for the work on the bridge, Balfour Beatty, will be giving a talk to the Old Town Association in the autumn ... a good reason to join if you’re not already a member!

As we walk across the bridge’s central span, operatives are hard at work below, putting the finishing touches on the imposing edifice.

18/05/2026

This means that one can go from The Mound to the West End of Princes Street through the gardens, and also reach the Esplanade without braving the scrimmage in Castlehill.

Several Castle Hill paths beneath Edinburgh Castle have reopened after years of closure linked to rockfall safety concerns.

17/05/2026

For anyone who ‘does’ X - some lovely glimpses of the Old Town skyline.

17/05/2026

Apart from the rather confusing analysis of the Old Town as among the safest areas and the City Centre among the most dangerous, this is quite interesting 😀

https://amberstudent.com/blog/post/safest-most-dangerous-neighbourhoods-in-edinburgh

17/04/2026

More spring colour, this time in the reconstructed Physic Garden at Holyrood House. This area is intended to evoke the 15th century monastic garden.
Photos ©️ Eric Drake

16/04/2026

The new Fringe Central hub is progressing! s://www.edfringe.com/about-us/news-and-blog/the-new-fringe-central-a-space-for-the-local-community/

We've been working with local community groups to ensure the new home of the Fringe is a force for good in Edinburgh

15/04/2026

Canongate Kirk almost hidden behind a sea of blossom.
Photo ©️Eric Drake

14/04/2026

The Old Town Development Trust is conducting a survey. Link below.

Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust are preparing a Local Place Plan – a community-led document that will influence how Edinburgh's planning policies apply to our area. We want to hear from everyone who lives, works, studies, or spends time in the Old Town about what matters to you and what could...

13/04/2026

Edinburgh is #9 on the list, with over 1700 visitors for every 100 local people. And presumably the concentration is highest in the Old Town.
‘In ninth place we have the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh, parts of which date back to medieval times. This city had 1,714 visitors for every 100 locals in 2025, as 8.4 million people came to visit compared to the 490,000 people who live there. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival every summer is one of its biggest attractions, with a performance around every corner.’

DiscoverCars.com analyses which cities have the highest number of tourists per 100 locals to find out the world’s most visited cities, as well as those with the lowest number.