Since 1999, the constituency MSP has been an ex officio member of the board of trustees of the National Library of Scotland.

Each electoral ward used in the creation of the redrawn Central is split, shared with neighbouring constituencies.

The constituency is a major tourist, financial and retail centre, covering Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, Princes Street, Haymarket, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Castle and the Scottish Parliament building itself.

Traditionally this constituency has been represented by the Labour Party, with the Liberal Democrats forming the main opposition.

In 2016 the Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ruth Davidson, gained the constituency from the SNP with a majority of 610 votes.