CLICK HERE TO GO TO Getting Around History Map A tour of the city Entertainment Additional Information Landmark Visitor's Guide Home Edinburgh The capital of the country is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is often referred to as the 'Athens of the North' due to its fine, Palladian architecture and general air of education and refinement. Having said that, over more recent years 'rather stuffy' Edinburgh was jarred from its smug complacency after resting long on its world-renowned reputation. The monopoly over the Scottish cultural crown was cheekily hijacked during the 1980s and it now remains an open issue who best represents the country's cultural heart. The challenge comes from the "Empire's Second City', Glasgow, following its rise to becoming the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1990. Since then Glasgow has not looked back in terms of erudition. Competition, they say, is no bad thing and Edinburgh is now working harder than ever to keep happy its near 2 million visitors a year. The topography of the town is remarkable with several elevations breaking the city's slate-grey, chimney-potted expanse. Robert Louis Stevenson declared, "No situation could be more commanding for the head of a kingdom and none better chosen for better prospects".