Edinburgh and the Lothians

What it is like

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and the seat of the Scottish Parliament. The Old Town and New Town together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is small enough to cross by bike or bus. Employers include the Scottish Government, the universities, financial services, and a growing tech sector.

August changes the city. The festivals bring huge crowds to the centre, and some residents plan their summer around them.

The three Lothian council areas around the city are quieter and cheaper, with fast links into Edinburgh. East Lothian has beaches and golf courses along the coast. Midlothian is closer to the Pentland Hills. West Lothian is better placed for commuting to Glasgow too.

Where people live

In the city: Leith and Newhaven for restaurants and the waterfront, now on the tram line. Bruntsfield, Marchmont and Morningside for tenement flats near the Meadows and good schools. Stockbridge and the New Town for Georgian flats close to the centre. Portobello for a beach suburb with a high street.

Around the city: Musselburgh, North Berwick, Haddington and Dunbar in East Lothian. Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg and the Borders Railway towns in Midlothian. Linlithgow and Livingston in West Lothian.

Getting about

Lothian Buses cover the city well, and the tram runs from Newhaven through Leith and the city centre to Edinburgh Airport. Waverley station has trains to Glasgow, the north, and London in around four and a half hours. Driving into the centre is slow and parking is expensive, so many city households manage without a car.

Homes

Buying is expensive by Scottish standards, and in popular areas homes often go to a closing date and sell well above the offers over price. Read the Home Report valuation carefully, because lenders lend against it.

Many city homes are flats in tenements, sharing a stair and roof costs with neighbours. Many listings in the area come through ESPC, the solicitor property centre.

Private rents are among the highest in Scotland, and good flats let quickly. See our guide to renting.

Schools

Places follow catchment by address. Some city catchments are very popular, and families often choose where to buy by catchment. If you want a school outside your catchment, you make a placing request, which is not guaranteed. Gaelic-medium education is available in the city.