Edinburgh has given so much to the world over the years, with inventor Alexander Graham Bell of course credited with inventing the telephone.
While in the arts, the city has produced stars of the stage and screen including James Bond himself Sir Sean Connery, Scotland’s biggest ever band Bay City Rollers and comedy legend Ronnie Corbett.
Some of Scotland’s greatest ever writers are from Edinburgh, including Sir Walter Scott, Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark and Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh.
5. Alexander Graham Bell
One of Edinburgh's most famous sons, Alexander Graham Bell was a famous inventor, scientist and engineer who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1885. He lived from 1847-1922 when he died in Canada aged 75. The family home was at South Charlotte Street, and has a stone inscription marking it as Bell's birthplace. Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Bell also had a strong influence on the National Geographic Society and its magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903. | Getty Photo: Getty
6. Sir Chris Hoy
Olympian Chris Hoy is one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Born in Edinburgh, Hoy grew up in Murrayfield and went to George Watson's College. He is an 11 time world champion and six times Olympic champion - the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time, and the most successful Scot. | Getty Photo: Laurence Griffiths
7. Elsie Inglis
Elsie Inglis was not born in Edinburgh, but she was educated and spent much of her life in the city. Inglis was a doctor and suffragette, who tirelessly campaigned for better rights - and specifically medical care - for women. She also ran a 600-bed hospital in France during the First World War, where she treated thousands of soldiers. Inglis died in 1917, only one day after arriving back in Britain. Thousands of the people lined the streets of Edinburgh before her funeral, which was held at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, and was attended by royalty. | National World Photo: Archive
8. Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh is a writer who shocked the world with his novel Trainspotting in 1993, about a group of heroin addicted friends in Leith. It was adapted into a film starring Ewan McGregor and directed by Danny Boyle. Welsh was born in Leith but also lived in Muirhouse when he was growing up. The acclaimed author is famous for mostly writing his tales in the local Scots dialect, about Edinburgh characters including Spud and Begbie in his biggest hit, as well as Juice Terry and corrupt police officer Bruce Robertson. Some of his other work to hit the big screen and small screen includes Filth, Crime and Acid House. | National World Photo: Lisa Ferguson