Edinburgh Castle Rock, the area on which Edinburgh sits today, began to develop as a town during the eleventh century. The area was originally settled by ancient British tribes who took advantage of the strategic high ground position of the volcanic rock. The town grew and prospered. In 1532, it was declared Scotland's capital and continued to grow, becoming the lively cultural center it is today. Gateway to Edinburgh and the Lothians UK Travel Guide: Edinburgh Features this week: King MacBeth - this week's Famous Scot All about "The Kilt" Clan of the Week: Clan Kinnaird Cut to: Scottish Film Edinburgh is located on the eastern coast of Scotland. It is sectioned off into the Old Town and the New Town. Old Town, as the name suggests, is made up of narrow medieval streets and a score of historical monuments. It extends east from Castle Hill to Holyrood Abbey and is the location of many buildings dating back to medieval times, including the Parliament House, St Giles Cathedral, the house of John Knox, and Brodie's Close. New Town is a much more recent part of Edinburgh, dating back to the early 19th century, but is no less impressive for its comparative youth. New Town is made up of many elegant streets lined with Georgian buildings. Princess Street provides an impressive view of Castle Hill. Every visitor to Edinburgh should take the time to see Edinburgh Castle, the seat of Scottish Royalty for centuries, and the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels. It is also the oldest roofed structure still standing in Scotland. In addition to historical sites, Edinburgh has no shortage of cultural attractions, including art galleries and museums. Edinburgh contains many art galleries and museums. The world-renowned National Gallery of Scotland is one of the most noteworthy, containing an enviable collection of works from such artists as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Ramsay and Raphael. --SB May-26-99