Edinburgh is historically in the county of Midlothian (also known as Edinburghshire), but today it forms its own separate council area called the City of Edinburgh.

Quick Scoop: What county is Edinburgh in?

  • Historically, Edinburgh belonged to the traditional county of Midlothian, whose older name was Edinburghshire.
  • In everyday modern use, Edinburgh is usually described as a standalone council area: the City of Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s 32 council areas.
  • Ceremonially and administratively, maps and guides now often treat “City of Edinburgh” as the county-level unit for the area.

So if someone asks “what county is Edinburgh in?” you can fairly say:

  • Traditionally: Midlothian / Edinburghshire.
  • Administratively today: the City of Edinburgh council area, which functions as its own county-level unit.

In short: Edinburgh used to be in Midlothian, but now stands as the City of Edinburgh in its own right.

Nearby counties (for extra context)

  • East Lothian to the east.
  • Midlothian (modern council) to the south and southeast.
  • West Lothian to the west.
  • Scottish Borders further to the south.

TL;DR:
Edinburgh was historically part of the county of Midlothian (Edinburghshire) but is now its own council area, the City of Edinburgh, which effectively acts as its “county.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.