Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, located on the east coast of the country along the Firth of Forth. It sits in the south-east of Scotland, approximately 47 miles (76 km) east of Glasgow and 400 miles (644 km) north of London.
The city is built on a series of volcanic hills, including the famous Castle Rock where Edinburgh Castle stands, and Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano that rises 251 metres (823 feet) in the city centre.
Edinburgh's Geographic Position
Within Scotland
Edinburgh sits in the Central Belt of Scotland, the most densely populated region of the country. It is located in the council area of the City of Edinburgh.
- • 47 miles east of Glasgow
- • 55 miles south of Dundee
- • 100 miles south of Aberdeen
- • 80 miles north of the English border
Within the UK
As Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is the second most visited city in the UK after London. It sits on approximately the same latitude as Copenhagen and Moscow.
- • 400 miles north of London
- • 280 miles north of Manchester
- • 100 miles east of Belfast (by air)
- • On the A1, Britain's longest road
Edinburgh's Topography
Edinburgh is famously built on seven hills, shaped by volcanic activity and glacial erosion over millions of years:
Castle Rock
130m (427ft)Volcanic plug where Edinburgh Castle stands
Arthur's Seat
251m (823ft)Main peak of an ancient volcano
Calton Hill
103m (338ft)Famous viewpoint with monuments
Blackford Hill
164m (538ft)Home to the Royal Observatory
Corstorphine Hill
161m (528ft)In the west, home to Edinburgh Zoo
Craiglockhart Hills
175m (574ft)South-west of the city centre
Distance from Major Cities
Glasgow
47 miles (76 km)
1 hour by car, 50 mins by train
London
400 miles (644 km)
4-5 hours by train, 1.5 hours by air
Manchester
280 miles (451 km)
3.5 hours by train
Newcastle
105 miles (169 km)
1.5 hours by train
York
190 miles (306 km)
2.5 hours by train
Dublin
263 miles (423 km)
1 hour by air
Amsterdam
450 miles (724 km)
1.5 hours by air
Paris
550 miles (885 km)
2 hours by air
Edinburgh's Climate
Edinburgh has a temperate maritime climate, influenced by its coastal location on the Firth of Forth. It receives less rainfall than Glasgow to the west, as hills block Atlantic weather systems.
7°C
Average Temperature
677mm
Annual Rainfall
17 hrs
Summer Daylight
7 hrs
Winter Daylight
Edinburgh's Coastal Location
Edinburgh sits on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, a large estuary that opens to the North Sea. The Port of Leith, historically Scotland's largest port, is now a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood.
- •Portobello Beach offers sandy shores 3 miles east of the city centre
- •Cramond offers coastal walks where the River Almond meets the Forth
- •The Forth Bridges (including the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge) are visible from the city