![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Edinburgh.jpg\")
The mound to the old town of Edinburgh(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nSet-jetting is set to be a major 2026 trend, with 81 percent of young travellers inspired by films, books, and TV, says Expedia.The mound to the old town of Edinburgh(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Two Scottish cities have earned a place among the UK\u2019s most celebrated literary destinations, with travellers increasingly seeking experiences inspired by books set in real locations. Edinburgh and Glasgow<\/a> feature in the top ten most written-about cities in literature<\/a>, attracting fans eager to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters.<\/p>\n Set-jetting is tipped to be one of 2026\u2019s biggest travel trends, with 81 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers planning trips influenced by movies, books, and TV<\/a> shows, according to Expedia.<\/p>\n Edinburgh<\/a> tops the Scottish literary rankings with 19.1 million mentions, edging out Glasgow, which records 16.1 million. The capital\u2019s historic streets and gothic charm have inspired countless novels, from Trainspotting to The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.<\/p>\n Glasgow, with its vibrant arts scene and gritty urban character, has long provided the backdrop for works such as Young Adam, No Mean City and The Cutting Room.<\/p>\n To uncover the most written-about UK cities over the past century, printing experts at Aura Print analysed more than 25 million works in the Google Books archive, covering publications between 1920 and 2019.<\/p>\n London emerged as the undisputed leader, featuring an astonishing 286 million times in books \u2013 nearly five times more than any other city.<\/p>\n From Dickens\u2019 smoky alleys to Conan Doyle\u2019s foggy mysteries, the capital has served as both muse and stage for generations of writers. As Dickens once described it, the city was his \u2018magic lantern\u2019 that fired his creativity.<\/p>\n Cambridge and Oxford follow in second and third place, amassing over 51 million mentions each. Cambridge\u2019s canals and cobbled streets offer a whimsical literary setting, while Oxford\u2019s mediaeval charm has provided the perfect backdrop for crime and mystery tales.<\/p>\n Literary hotspots: 10 most popular UK cities in books<\/p>\n Rank<\/p>\n City<\/p>\n Most popular decade<\/p>\n Total occurrences in books (1920-2019)<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n London<\/p>\n 1960s<\/p>\n 286,675,501<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Cambridge<\/p>\n 2010s<\/p>\n 52,028,629<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Oxford<\/p>\n 2010s<\/p>\n 51,723,380<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Manchester<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 23,578,466<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Birmingham<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 22,321,473<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n Edinburgh<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 19,169,975<\/p>\n 7<\/p>\n Glasgow<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 16,127,504<\/p>\n 8<\/p>\n Bristol<\/p>\n 1930s<\/p>\n 15,725,827<\/p>\n 9<\/p>\n Liverpool<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 15,034,699<\/p>\n 10<\/p>\n Worcester<\/p>\n 1920s<\/p>\n 11,808,009<\/p>\n Manchester ranks fourth, with 23.5 million mentions, drawing 58 percent more literary attention than Liverpool, which places ninth.<\/p>\n As a UNESCO City of Literature, Manchester\u2019s industrial heritage, hidden quarters, and revolutionary spirit have inspired Gothic and horror writers alike.<\/p>\n Birmingham rounds out the top five most written-about UK cities, with over 22 million mentions. The city has captured the imagination of novelists for decades, holding 74 percent more literary attention than nearby Worcester, which sits tenth.<\/p>\n Among Edinburgh\u2019s literary highlights, visitors can explore the haunts and histories behind novels that have defined Scottish fiction. Glasgow, meanwhile, continues to charm writers with its dynamic urban backdrop and rich cultural scene.<\/p>\n Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761882020_154_0_Glasgow.jpg\")
Glasgow\u2019s arts scene and gritty streets have inspired novels including Young Adam, No Mean City and The Cutting Room.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n