Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1437, and is the second most-visited city (after London) in the United Kingdom. It became known as “The Athens of the North” during the eighteenth century when there was a flowering of intellectual activity led by such luminaries as the philosopher David Hume and the economist Adam Smith. In addition, wealthy gentlemen returning from the European “Grand Tour” noted topological similarities between Edinburgh and Athens: they were both dominated by a hill, and both cities were situated on a plain, ending in a port. At the same time there was a revival of Greek classical architecture, examples of which can be seen throughout the city.
