I feel like this is a stupid question, but are first years able to leave once the teaching block ends? Or do you leave once the actual semester ends?
Depends whether examinations are going to be in-person this year or virtual again. Your School will be able to provide more information on this.
If you have in-person exams, the advice from the university is to stay in Edinburgh until the exam diet actually finishes in case things are rescheduled.
Do you have exams the first year? I thought you didn’t for some reason.
I can't speak for every degree but I'd be surprised if you didn't. What course are you on? Check the Degree Programme Table in the DRPS for your course - that's the authoritative source on all courses at Edinburgh and the assessment format for each.