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The Royal Mile is the main artery in the Old Town of Edinburgh and major tourist attraction. Castle Esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand are the streets that make the Royal Mile - a stretch for approximately 1 mile. The street links Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The kirkyard of the Canongate Kirk holds the graves of famous people. Adam Smith, who authored the Wealth of Nations, is buried here. The poet Robert Fergusson is also buried at the kirkyard. The building of the Canongate Tollbooth houses the People`s Story Museum. The exhibition offers a historical glimpse to the life of the ordinary Edinburgh citizens. The Bank of Scotland Museum displays a collection of gold coins, banknotes, and many intriguing old documents and photos. The Huntly House accommodates the Museum of Edinburgh. The exhibition of the museum depicts the story of the city from ancient times to present. The museum features the original copy of the National Covenant, signed in 1638.

High Street houses the famous Museum of Childhood. The exhibition contains information on childhood related issues as well as extensive collections of books, games, and toys. The Fruitmarket Gallery features contemporary Scottish and international works of art. The City Art Centre showcases engravings, paintings, and photographs depicting the history of the city. At the Lawnmarket, the Writer`s Museum commemorates authors such as Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Sir Walter Scott. The collection features letters, photographs, and memorabilia. The Scottish Whiskey Heritage Centre informs of the whiskey making process. The exhibition offers a mixture of sights, sounds, and smell.

Most of the Royal Mile is cobble stoned and the buildings along the street are old medieval multistory houses. Medieval Edinburgh grew fast and the buildings on the hill grew upwards to accommodate the growing population. Some of the tall, narrow, stone houses in the overcrowding Old Town reached 20 storeys!

The development of the New Georgian Town was welcomed by the rich who moved out of the Old Town in the new spacious houses. Today the Royal Mile and the Old Town is a charming place with pubs, historic buildings, narrow cobbled streets, stone facades, and tourist shops.

Some of the most notable buildings are the Lady Stair’s House, Gladstone’s Land, St Giles Cathedral, The City Chambers, John Knox’s house, Tron Kirk and the Museum of Childhood.


Royal Mile, Edinburgh


Beginning of Royal Mile, Edinburgh



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