Discover the Magic: 11 Enchanting Fun Facts About Edinburgh You Won't Believe!

1. Loyal Pup or Paranormal Mythbuster?

What do you get when you cross a loyal pup with a paranormal mythbuster? Granite and gossip in Edinburgh: The Greyfriars Bobby Fountain, topped with a bronze Skye Terrier statue, draws visitors to admire its story of guarding its owner's grave for years, but recent studies have debunked the tall tale - still, the monument is a popular category A building, and rubbing its nose for luck remains a cherished, albeit discouraged, tradition.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Killer Curriculum with Bodysnatchers

Talk about a killer curriculum: To keep the dissection tables stocked in 19th century Edinburgh, 'bodysnatchers' Burke and Hare turned to murder, selling the corpses of their victims to well-known anatomist Dr Robert Knox for his anatomy studies.
Source => nms.ac.uk

Did you know that Big Ben isn't the tower-clock we all thought? Discover the hidden truth about this London icon and its massive 13-ton secret hiding inside the Elizabeth Tower! 🇬🇧🔔✨

=> Fun Facts about London

3. Deep-Fried Mars Bar Madness

When Scotland's sweet tooth took a deep dive into unhealthy temptation, the Mars Bars went fishing for batter: In 1995, a Stonehaven-based fish and chip shop created the Deep Fried Mars Bar as a novelty treat, which eventually swam its way over to Edinburgh, where numerous chip shops now serve the delectable dessert – just beware of beef fat-fried versions!
Source => glasgowschoolofenglish.com

4. Headless Drummer's Haunted Castle

If you see a headless drummer on your next trip to Edinburgh Castle, don't lose your head with fright - he's just keeping a secret beat for centuries: The castle is known as one of Scotland's most haunted spots, with yearly sightings of the beheaded drummer's ghost, a casualty of a covert tunnel construction project whose location he was determined to keep hidden even after death.
Source => transceltic.com

5. Rowling's Magical Safe House

When J.K. Rowling needed a magical safe house to elude the pesky Muggle distractions while penning down the epic finale of the Potterverse, she chose a secret "room of requirement" decked out in style: J.K. Rowling completed the writing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the luxurious Balmoral Hotel's elusive Room 552 in Edinburgh on January 11th, 2007, even leaving her mark on a marble bust of the god Hermes with a cheeky graffiti.
Source => independenttravelcats.com

6. Edinburgh Castle: The Siege King

Batten down the hatches and brace for impact: Edinburgh Castle has weathered a staggering 26 sieges in its 1,100-year history, making it the reigning king of besieged places in Great Britain and a global contender in castle throwdowns. With such a past, it's no wonder this fortress is now home to the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the National War Museum of Scotland, drawing over 2.2 million curious visitors in 2019 alone.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. International Game of Telephone

When the age-old game of "telephone" becomes high art: Edinburgh hosts the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, a yearly event since 1989, showcasing talented storytellers who spin yarns from various cultures and traditions in venues like the Netherbow Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh. In 2022, the Festival pulled a crowd of 39,862 and is preparing to celebrate its 2023 theme, ‘Right To Be Human,’ in honor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights' 75th anniversary.
Source => edinburgh.org

8. Knighted King Penguin

There's a reason why they say birds of a feather flock together – because only the coolest of penguins can become knights: Edinburgh Zoo's King Penguin, Sir Nils Olav, is an esteemed member of the Norwegian Guard, having been knighted and promoted to Brigadier for his outstanding service, while living it up at Penguins Rock in Europe's largest outdoor penguin pool.
Source => edinburghzoo.org.uk

9. Poetic Haggis Feast Extravaganza

What do haggis, turnips, and potatoes have in common? They all come together in a poetic culinary extravaganza that would make Braveheart's mouth water: Every January 25th, Edinburgh celebrates Scotland's beloved poet, Robert Burns, with Burns Night – a traditional dinner featuring haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes) as the stars of the show, along with a recitation of the poem "Address to a Haggis" before the prized dish is sliced open and served.
Source => travelfoodatlas.com

10. Edinburgh's Film Festival Spotlight

Lights, camera, haggis: Edinburgh, home to windy hills, a legendary castle, and the world's first international film festival which premiered in 1947 with 75 films from 18 countries, earning its spot as a must-attend event on the city's cultural calendar.
Source => edinburghfestivalcity.com

11. Bramble Bar & Lounge: Narnia for Adults

If you're looking for a discreet, stairway to cocktail heaven, Edinburgh's Bramble Bar & Lounge is basically Narnia, but instead of a wardrobe, there's an inconspicuous staircase: Located on Queen Street in the New Town area, this hidden gem offers a splendid variety of creative concoctions and knowledgeable staff, along with cozy nooks and crannies where you can sip, laugh and enjoy the magic that is Bramble Bar.
Source => tripadvisor.com