The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Overview

The Royal Mile is a series of streets in the old town of Edinburgh with museums, shops and restaurants. Located within a World Heritage Site it is a most lively and frequently visited place in Edinburgh. With attractions like Scottish Parliament, Royal houses, eateries and pubs, the street is a must-visit.

Known as the historic heart of Edinburgh the Mile’s length measures approximately 1.81 km nearly 1 Scots mile long. Connecting two magnificent locations in the history of Scotland that is the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the cobbled street of Royal Mile offers great insight about the city’s architecture. The Royal Mile also overlooks a vast range of impressive attractions and gigantic tenements that incorporate paved paths in between them. The buildings here have an association with Scotland’s past times and history that span over the years. You can also hang at the best cafes and pubs here as they remain open throughout the day. Few of the main spectacles here are Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High street, Castle Esplanade, Abbey Strand and the Canongate. All of them form the Royal Mile, making it a buzzing boulevard in the Old Town of Edinburgh.

History of the Royal Mile

Edinburgh gets its name from ancient Gaelic “Dun Eidyn” meaning hillfort on a sloping ridge and it’s the castle area where people have lived in the past. It is believed that 325 million years ago a land profile was carved after pressure of moving glaciers occurred during the ice age. In 1124 King David I decided to remodel the village which supplied goods to soldiers, noblemen and monks working in the hillfort. Later in 1128, the village was renamed Burgh of Eiden with Lawnmarket, becoming an open-air market with trading rights. King David also set up High Street taking reference from Via Regis that stands for “Way of King” and that’s how Royal Mile gets its name from.

Huge timber buildings were also constructed, naming them after the landowners and such tradition is still witnessed today at the place. Also, the spaces between two buildings are known as “closes” here.

Areas at the Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is divided into 6 areas which are completely different from each other and thus creates a lively atmosphere.

Castlehill: Also known as Edinburgh Castle, it is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. The place is connected with historical tales of being a royal residence, military battalion, prison and a fortress. Things to look out for at Castlehill:

- An exhibition located at Argyle Tower displays the dramatic story of Edinburgh Castle. Animated episodes, display of objects found from underground of Castle, engrossing projections and a rebuilt trebuchet are highlights of the exhibition.

- The Great Hall built in 1511 for King James IV of Scotland today comprises of giant beams carved on exquisite stone symbols along with marvellous design wooden roof interiors. It also displays weapons and armour like swords, shields, pole arms that hint at Scotland’s military past.

- The National War Museum can be found once you head straight down the Castlehill past the Redcoat Cafe. Opened in 1933, it is home to foreign campaigns, chemical warfare suits, Highland broadswords and many other artefacts used by the Scottish army.

Castle Esplanade: To experience stunning views of the city from this former parade ground just stroll a few steps outside the walls of Edinburgh Castle. Today the renovated ground over the years is used for ceremonial shows like for example The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, celebrity acts such as Elton John, TEXAS, Moby and many more.

High Street: Situated on the south side of Royal Mile and towards the Parliament Square, the High Street is also the major intersection of South Bridge and North Bridge. The Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic pattern pavement at the West of St. Giles’, a place of Worship present here. Today during the Edinburgh festival High Street becomes a hotspot for tourists and entertainers.

Lawnmarket: The market gets its name from “land market” where produce from nearby areas was sold. It is a continuation of High Street and was originally a market specialising in linen; no visit is complete without exploring Royal Mile and Lawnmarket. The alleys or closes here are named after wealthy occupants of the houses who were either tradesmen or artisan workers. A wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants and museums also form part of this lively market area.

Abbey Strand: Two significant landmarks of Holyrood Abbey and Holyrood Palace form Abbey Strand which itself is located at the bottom of Royal Mile. This 100 metres long place once marked the boundary of sanctuary of the Holyrood Park, making it a safer place for people to run away from creditors.

Canongate: Consisting of several historic buildings including Scottish Parliament, Queensberry House, Huntly House and Canongate Kirk the district seize in the central Edinburgh. Formed by David I of Scotland in 1143, the place now has three crosses of Mercat, St John’s and Girth each a representation of its own.

The Royal Mile Today

Visitors from all over the world are attracted to this prominent street for its entertaining vibe. Shops, Restaurants, Pubs and cafes make it a lively place any time of the day.

How to Reach

By Bus:
From Corstorphine: 31
From Edinburgh Airport: 200, 31
From Ratho Station: 200, 31

By Train:
SCOTRAIL can be taken from following stops: Corstorphine, Edinburgh Airport, Tesco Extra, Ratho Station, Airlink Bus Stop