image from Edinburgh Old and New by James Grant, showing Edinburgh University

Edinburgh has always been proud of her architecture. The Old Town has long presented some of the most unusual and intriguing streetscapes and vistas, while the building frenzy prompted by the creation of the New Town attracted the finest architects from across Scotland, and inspired a rebirth of architecture within the city. Architects like the Adams, Archibald Elliott, Robert Reid, William Burn, William Playfair and James Craig built a reputation for Edinburgh as a centre of architectural excellence.

The passion of Edinburgh for the built environment continued in the twentieth century, producing and developing architects such as Frank Mears, Robert Hurd, Malcolm Fraser and RMJM, providing 21st century Edinburgh with a varied mix of building styles and concepts, which stimulates more and more interest in the profession. In part this is due to the unique topographical nature of the city, where the removal of a disused industrial building may present whole new landscapes and provoke a new sense of involvement with our surroundings. Edinburgh, situated as it is on and between seven hills, presents unique opportunities for a style of architecture which is based on what is known as the Scottish Historical Landscape, in which buildings are designed to create dynamic interplay between natural feature and manmade element.

Those wishing to study architecture in Edinburgh have a wide choice of options, the most common being the RIBA assessed Edinburgh College of Art, which is a focus for architectural studies. Architectural courses are also available at Napier and Heriot Watt universities.