Green’s Dictionary of Slang

the old town and subseq. the whole town of Edinburgh.

1818		W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian 26: My best service to all my friends at and about Auld Reekie!
1821		‘An Amateur’ Real Life in London I 518: Wad the King condescend to honor wi’ his presence the palace o’ Holyrood House, he wad experience as ardent a manifestation o’ fidelity to his person in Auld Reekie as that shown him in Dublin.
1821–6		‘Bill Truck’ Man o’ War’s Man (1843) 278: Go home and see Auld Reikie along with me.
1822		(con. early 17C) W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel I 107: And for the wealth God has sent me, it shall not want inheritors while there are orphan lads in Auld Reekie.
1838		‘Paul Pry’ Oddities of London Life I 52: Fac as deeth I’m gaun bock till ‘auld Reekie,’ as soon’s I get out my trouble.
1843		Satirist & Sporting Chron. (Sydney) 11 Mar. 2/2: Those who made fools of themselves in ‘Auld Reekie’ by placing confidence in his ‘just send me out’ your sons and daughters to N.S.W.