Has Edinburgh always been the capital of Scotland?

No, Edinburgh has not always been the capital of Scotland. The historic capital of Scotland was Scone, located about 2 miles north of Perth. Scone was the traditional coronation site of Scottish kings, and it served as the political and religious center of the kingdom for centuries. The Scottish Parliament also met at Scone until the early 15th century.

However, in 1437, King James I of Scotland decided to move the royal court and the Parliament to Edinburgh Castle, which was better fortified and more strategically located. Edinburgh gradually became the de facto capital of Scotland, and its role as the political and administrative center of the country was formally recognized in the 16th century.