Location in Boswell's time
For the first three decades of James Boswell's life, Edinburgh consisted mainly of what is now known as the "Old Town". In 1766 a competition to design the "New Town" was held, to overcome the problems of the increasingly overcrowded Old Town, which at the time probably had around 80,000 inhabitants.
The location today
Still the capital of Scotland, and according to a 2009 YouGov poll "most desirable city in which to live in the UK".
Association with Boswell
Most people acquainted with Boswell's works know of his passion for London and his love for Auchinleck. However, it was in Edinburgh that he was born, grew up, and spend most of his adult life, and his journals clearly show a significant and emotional attachment to the city.