Many locations are named after ‘Auld Reekie’ (Edinburgh in the Scots language) and as one of the world’s most unique cities with incredible heritage it is not surprising. By way of Scottish Gaelic you can find many Scottish place names in the United States which alone have multiple versions of Edinburgh.
Mispronounced place names are rife in Scotland due to our unique blend of historical languages, however even the famously mispronounced Edinburgh as “Edinboro” is apt in states like Pennsylvania where this is the authentic spelling.
The Scottish diaspora has certainly made its mark over the centuries which is why you can find many alternate versions of Edinburgh across the globe starting with these 12 examples.
5. Edinboro (Pennsylvania)
Edinboro is a small college town which is home to the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, it has a small population of under 5000. The name is derived from Edinburgh and reflects the common pronunciation of the city by United States citizens. Photo: via WikiCommons
6. Edinburgh (Indiana)
Edinburgh is a small town in Bartholomew, Johnson and Shelby counties in the state of Indiana. The settlement, named in honour of the Scottish capital, reportedly upheld its proper pronunciation for many years. Photo: via WikiCommons
7. Dunedin (New Zealand)
Dunedin is a city in New Zealand which can be found at the head of Otago Harbour on the South Island’s southeast coast. Its name ‘Dunedin’ is derived from the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh which is ‘Dùn Èideann’. Photo: via WikiCommons
8. Dunedin (Florida)
Dunedin is a city located in Pinellas County in the state of Florida. Just like the city in New Zealand its name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic ‘Dùn Èideann’ which is said to mean ‘fort on the hill’. Photo: via WikiCommons