deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. It is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh had a population of 506,520 in 2020, making it the second-most-populous city in Scotland and the seventh-most-populous in the United Kingdom.

What exactly is the Firth of Forth?

The Firth of Forth (Scottish Gaelic: Linne Foirthe) is a firth in Scotland, an inlet of the North Sea that separates Fife to its north and Lothian to its south. Farther inland, it becomes the estuary of the River Forth and several other rivers

Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. 

King Charles III spends on week in Edinburgh at the beginning of summer each year.

Edinburgh Castle,  stronghold that was once the residence of Scottishmonarchs and now serves mostly as a museum. It stands 443 feet (135 metres) above sea level and overlooks the city of Edinburgh from a volcanic crag called Castle Rock.

Edin”, the root of the city’s name, derives from Eidyn, the name for the region in Cumbric, the Britton Celtic language formerly spoken there. The name’s meaning is unknown

The coat of arms of Edinburgh was registered with the Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1732, having been used unofficially for several centuries previously. The central symbol is a heraldic castle, representing Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh’s principal landmark. The crest, an anchor, represents the Lord Provost’s position as Admiral of the Firth of Forth. The dexter supporter, (right side) a “woman richly attired with her hair hanging over her shoulders” represents the fact that Edinburgh Castle was historically known as the “Castle of the Maidens” probably due to it being used to protect princesses and noblewomen in times of war. The sinister, (left side) supporter, a doe, recalls the city’s patron saint St Giles who spent much of his life in solitude in the forests of Provence with only a doe for company.

The flag borrows exclusively from the coat of arms. A white field with the Edinburgh Castle on a rocky mound. Known affectionately as ‘Old Reekie’ [Old Smokie in the Scot dialect] due to the smoke that would rise over Old Town.

A special flag for us because we can say, ‘Hey, I’ve been there’. And we long to go back.