Until the late 18th century, Edinburgh consisted, almost exclusively, of what is now known as the Old Town (the area where you will find the Castle, Royal Mile and Grassmarket). The world famous University was founded in 1583, setting in motion the city's educational and professional development. The Bank of Scotland was founded in 1695, the first of many new ventures that would see Edinburgh established as a leading financial capital by the end of the 20th century. 1707 saw the Act of Union, which joined Scotland and England together politically, and moved power from Edinburgh's old parliament to London's Westminster. By the late 18th century, Edinburgh was home to a rapidly expanding population of 35,000. The rich lived right on top of the poor, often quite literally, as housing was in the form of tenements which were several storeys high, with the poor living on the lower floors and the rich on the more desirable upper and middle floors. These conditions led to many rich people leaving the city for London. In 1752 a leaflet was printed to try to encourage the wealthy to stay in the city. Over ten years later the competition to design a New Town, to attract the wealthy back to Edinburgh, was launched.

1. Nombra varios elementos del barrio antiguo de Edimburgo

2. ¿Qué representó el Acta de Unión?

3. ¿Dónde vivían los pobres en la ciudad de Edimburgo?