Edinburgh: Creative City of Literature

This is the only city in the world to erect a 60-metre-tall monument in honour of one of Scotland’s greatest writers, Sir Walter Scott. Writers as diverse as Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns, JM Barrie, Muriel Spark, and Harry Potter author JK Rowling, have all been inspired and enriched by the creative fabric of the city.

Boasting the world’s largest literature festival, home to a myriad of bookshops and festivals, not to mention the highest concentration of public libraries in Scotland – Edinburgh is a city which celebrates the power of the written word quite unlike any other. Did you know that the first book ever printed in Scotland was printed in Edinburgh in 1508?

Edinburgh is a compact and highly walkable city, equipped with a well-connected public transport network, encompassing a 24-hour bus service and tram system.

Edinburgh is also very cycle-friendly, with off-road bike paths, on-road cycle lanes, forward stop lines at traffic lights, reduced speed limits and other bike safety measures.

Still the best way to soak up the city is on foot. Admire the centuries old buildings, cobbled streets, quaint shops and cafés, and all the other fascinating sights and attractions the capital has to offer along the way.

Find out more about getting to and around Edinburgh & The Lothians

Explore ways to travel to Edinburgh