Auld Reekie as Scotland’s capital has amenities and events on a consequent scale, and since 2004 a Parliamentary home to match, providing a contemporary counterpoint to the Georgian splendour of the geometric New Town and the more organic delights of the Old Town round the Grassmarket and on the Royal Mile. Edinburgh’s seemingly endless festival season refutes its ‘you’ll have had your tea then’ reputation: serious music and theatre at the International Festival; late summer’s Edinburgh Festival where Britain’s comedians all cut their teeth; the Hogmanay binge; June’s film festival; Jazz and blues; the famous Tattoo; and even April’s science fest renowned worldwide. The gentry, though, may avoid all that in Jenners store or one of Edinburgh’s five national galleries.