At this time I need to share my free self-guided Edinburgh Royal Mile stroll with you. The Scottish capital is an exquisite place to discover on foot. With its gorgeous hilltop citadel, fairly inexperienced areas, bustling buying streets, and hidden closes, thereโs so much to see on a stroll in Edinburgh. My self-guided route and map will present you one of the well-known elements of town.
Self-Guided Edinburgh Royal Mile Stroll
From the awe-inspiring structure of St Gilesโ Cathedral to the bucolic surroundings alongside the Water of Leith, Edinburgh is among the most lovely cities within the UK.
Whether or not you want seeing heritage buildings or sweeping views, looking retailers or exploring museums, Edinburgh has one thing for each traveler.
Irrespective of in case you have 1 day in Edinburgh or 4 days in Edinburgh, youโll have the ability to uncover so much on this a part of Scotland.
Iโve been to town numerous instances, and every go to has proven me extra of Auld Reekieโs fundamental sights and under-the-radar areas.
However on each go to I discover myself strolling down the Royal Mile, a succession of roads within the Previous City that runs between Edinburgh Fort and the Palace of Holyrood Home. I hope my stroll helps you take pleasure in exploring this a part of Edinburgh as a lot as I’ve.
If you need a guided tour, you’ll be able to see good choices on the GetYourGuide web site. Iโve taken many excursions with them through the years and Iโve at all times had an excellent expertise. From Harry Potter excursions to citadel excursions and Previous City strolling excursions, thereโs no scarcity of selections. You may e-book one right here.
If you need extra concepts, you will discover numerous further routes and maps within the e-book Edinburghโs Hidden Walks. You will get it on Amazon right here.
Edinburgh Strolling Tour
My self-guided strolling tour of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh begins on the citadel. Itโs centrally positioned, so itโs simple to get to from Edinburgh Waverley station, coach and bus stops, and on foot from the Royal Mile and different elements of town.
Edinburgh Fort
If you wish to, you’ll be able to discover the citadel earlier than you start. You may e-book tickets right here. Once youโre performed, begin your Edinburgh Royal Mile stroll by dealing with away from the citadel and heading straight down Castlehill.
Youโll cross The Scotch Whisky Expertise, the Digicam Obscura & World of Illusions, and The Witchery by the Fort resort as you make your option to Tolbooth Kirk and Lawnmarket.
Once you get there, flip proper on Higher Bow and comply with it down the hill. Upon reaching the staircase, descend it to get to Victoria Road.
Victoria Road & Grassmarket
Victoria Road is among the prettiest and most colourful streets in Edinburgh. There are many nice retailers and eating places right here. Donโt miss the Harry Potter store for those whoโre a fan. In the event youโre hungry, Oink is a neighborhood favourite.
Spend a while strolling round Victoria Road, then proceed right down to the best it because it turns into West Bow and leads you to Grassmarket. Grassmarket Sq. was as soon as an execution web site, however at present itโs a vigorous area lined with enjoyable pubs and eating places.
You may stroll round a bit and climb the Vennel steps within the southwest nook if you wish to see a well-known view of Edinburgh Fort.
Both means, proceed your Edinburgh Royal Mile stroll by heading again in the direction of West Bow and veering proper on Cowgatehead if you get there.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Stroll a brief distance down Cowgatehead, then veer proper once more on Candlemaker Row. In your proper youโll see an arched entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard. Undergo it and also youโll end up in a historic graveyard.
This place is filled with headstones with names you would possibly acknowledge from the Harry Potter books. J. Ok. Rowling received inspiration for her charactersโ names right here (she wrote a number of the novels in a restaurant close by).
George IV Bridge
Spend as a lot time exploring as youโd prefer to, then exit the churchyard on Greyfriars. Head throughout Candlmaker Row and switch left to get to George IV Bridge. In your proper youโll see the Nationwide Museum of Scotland.
In your left youโll see the well-known Greyfriars Bobby Fountain. It commemorates a loyal Nineteenth-century Skye Terrier who supposedly spent 14 years standing by the grave of his proprietor till he himself died in 1872.
After paying homage to the well-known pup, proceed your stroll alongside George IV Bridge. Youโll cross by the location of The Elephant Home, the aforementioned cafe the place J. Ok. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books.
Preserve strolling down the highway, passing the Nationwide Library of Scotland in your proper as you make your option to Lawnmarket and the Royal Mile.
The Writersโ Museum
Flip left on Lawnmarket, then proper into the archway resulting in Wardropโs Courtroom. As soon as by it, youโll end up in an atmospheric courtyard thatโs residence to The Writersโ Museum.
You may go to the museum or spend time taking images and movies, then exit by Girl Stairโs Near get again to Lawnmarket and the Royal Mile.
Parliament Sq. & St Gilesโ Cathedral
Flip left on Lawnmarket, strolling previous the Statue of Walter Scott and the Coronary heart of Midlothian Mosaic earlier than you come to Parliament Sq. and St Gilesโ Cathedral in your proper.
You may go contained in the cathedral if you wish to (donโt miss the gorgeous Thistle Chapel), or proceed strolling down the Royal Mile because the identify adjustments to Excessive Road. Youโll cross the Mercat Cross and the Adam Smith Statue as you go.
Museums & Closes
Youโll additionally go by The Actual Mary Kingโs Shut, one in all my favourite secret locations in Edinburgh. If you wish to get into townโs historical past, itโs price touring. You may e-book tickets right here.
No matter you select to do, you’ll be able to peer by the arches of the closes in your left as you head down the Royal Mile. A few of them have nice views of the New City.
You may also take a detour down Cockburn Road. This winding Victorian highway has nice eating places and cafes alongside it. Itโs a enjoyable place to cease for a snack, drink, or meal in your stroll. The Milkman is my favourite spot for a espresso.
Whether or not you are taking the detour or not, proceed strolling down Excessive Road, passing the Museum of Childhood and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Preserve straight because the identify of the Royal Mile adjustments to Canongate.
Youโll cross by extra cultural establishments like The Folksโs Story Museum as you go. In the event youโre an Outlander fan, you’ll be able to take a detour into Bakehouse Near see a filming location from the well-known TV present. It was the setting for Jamieโs print store in Season 3.
If not, proceed down the highway, going by the Museum of Edinburgh and Canongate Kirk. If you wish to, you’ll be able to head by Dunbarโs Near get right into a secret backyard. Itโs an exquisite inexperienced area, and a pleasant place to take a relaxation in peaceable environment.
Whether or not you go to the backyard or not, proceed your Edinburgh Royal Mile stroll by heading right down to White Horse Shut. This historic avenue on the left facet of Canongate is residence to a courtyard full of gorgeous heritage properties and buildings.
Scottish Parliament & Palace of Holyroodhouse
Again out on Canongate, youโll see the eye-catching Scottish Parliament Constructing in entrance of you and the Sixteenth-century Palace of Holyroodhouse (aka Holyrood Palace) in your left.
The latter is the monarchโs official residence in Scotland, and itโs residence to gorgeous royal interiors. Itโs price touring in case you have time.
Whether or not you go to or not, your self-guided strolling tour of Edinburgh ends right here. Thereโs heaps extra to discover close by, from the well-known Arthurโs Seat to Calton Hill.
Edinburgh Stroll Map & Particulars
Self-Guided Strolling Tour of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh
I hope my self-guided strolling tour of Edinburghโs Royal Mile has made you need to get out and uncover one of the well-known elements of the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh numbers among the many greatest UK metropolis breaks, and itโs one in all my favourite locations to go to within the UK. Iโm positive youโll adore it as a lot as I do if you go.
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