Stretching through the middle of the Old Town, this ancient thoroughfare brings you on a walk through the heart of Edinburgh history and tradition.
The medieval past of Edinburgh is all around you as you stroll along the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare through the Old Town. This cobbled pedestrian street takes you from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, through much of the most fascinating and ancient of the city's surviving architecture.The castle end of the route is a good place to begin. Here you have your choice of quaint pubs and restaurants, as well as boutique shops. Have a look at the impressively designed buildings in Parliament Square, foremost among them being Parliament House – this former home to the Scottish government in the 17th and 18th centuries now houses the Supreme Court.Nearby St Giles' Cathedral has been a site of religious devotion for almost a millennium. Keep a look out for the Heart of Midlothian, a heart mosaic depicted on the cobbled stones of the square (and the inspiration for the naming and crest of one of the local football teams, Hearts). This is on the site of Old Tolbooth, a prison built in the 15th century.While most museums focus on the wealthy movers and shakers in society, the People's Story tries to correct this imbalance by concentrating on the lives of normal people in Edinburgh from the Middle Ages up to today – how they lived, what their work was, and what the many changes down through the centuries meant for them.Take a detour from the main stretch and stroll around the small streets and narrow passages which have been preserved through the centuries. Canongate graveyard is the place where many of the most famous people in Scotland's history have been laid to rest, people such as the celebrated economist Adam Smith, whose ideas are still hugely influential to this day. Visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre to taste the liquid referred to as the water of life, and Scotland's national drink.The Royal Mile finishes at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is open to tourists all year round, except when the monarchy are in residence. It only takes 20 minutes to walk directly from one end to the other, but take your time and explore properly and you'll find enough of interest to fill a number of days!
