Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland for more than 500 years and is renowned for its writers, artists, philosophers and scientists. It was home to economist Adam Smith, philosopher David Hume and authors Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, among many others.

Edinburgh is built on an extraordinary landscape of hills and valleys, formed millions of years ago by volcanoes and ice sheets. Together, these factors have created a truly distinctive skyline and stunning views, which are recognised around the world. The city’s unique character comes from the contrast between the Old Town and the New Town, each of which contains many significant historic buildings. More than 75% of all buildings within the World Heritage Site are listed for their architectural or historic importance!

The medieval Old Town retains its distinctive pattern of narrow passageways known as closes and wynds. The New Town, designed in 1767, is the largest and best-preserved example of Georgian town planning in the UK.

UNESCO inscribed the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site in 1995. The Outstanding Universal Value of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh lies in the way they dramatically reflect significant changes in European urban planning. The juxtaposition of the two distinct styles of the medieval Old Town and neoclassical New Town gives the city its unique character. The New Town's planning and architectural quality set standards for Scotland and beyond. Edinburgh had a major influence on the development of urban architecture and town planning throughout Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site is managed by a partnership involving:

• City of Edinburgh Council

• Edinburgh World Heritage

• Historic Environment Scotland

• other key stakeholders

Read the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh Management Plan 2025-2035 here

Edinburgh is vibrant and lively city that attracts millions of visitors every year. The World Heritage Site sits the heart of the city itself and encompasses a range of historic places you can visit including the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, Gladstone's Land, and the Georgian House. With so much to see and do, find out more at the Edinburgh World Heritage Website. 

Explore our engaging World Heritage learning resources, from handling boxes ideal for classroom-based learning to craft activities and even interactive mobile apps. These resources bring Scotland's World Heritage sites to life through hands-on, creative and digital experiences.

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