Eleanor Morton, 36, is a Scottish stand-up comedian, writer and actor. She was born and raised in Edinburgh, and her 2024 Fringe show, Haunted House, won a Terrier Award. Here, she explains how her hometown is becoming less the quiet gothic haven and more an overrun tourist trap. Interview by Sophie Wilkinson
When a woman told me she was a Willie, I was confused. She explained it meant: “Works in London, lives in Edinburgh”. You must, I mused, be living in a whole different world if you can afford to commute to a different country for work.
Since Covid, I’ve noticed Edinburgh getting busier and busier. What has always been a touristy town is now groaning under the weight of thousands and thousands more visitors every year. Small shops selling the same Harry Potter merch you can get on Amazon now have queues outside the door. And don’t get me started on the AI Highland cow art for sale everywhere.
I’ve noticed more and more people from down south discussing Edinburgh as their “escape plan” destination, not just for a holiday but to move to. Perceived as a more chilled political – and meteorological – climate. But moving here is not the fix-all people imagine.
Firstly, Edinburgh has a housing shortage – in fact, the council has declared a “housing emergency” since November 2023. More wealthy English people moving here won’t help that.
