Edinburgh has always been more than a capital city. During the Enlightenment, it was one of the intellectual powerhouses of Europe; in the twentieth century, it became the focus of the art world with the founding of its many festivals. Finance, religion, education and industry have also played key roles. Alistair Moffat introduces Edinburgh’s famous places and people – including monarchs, murderers, writers and philosophers – as well as the ordinary citizens who have contributed so much to one of the world’s best-known and most beautiful cites.