Edinburgh Castle, Gate entrance
Old Town Walk
-
Map
-
Informations
- When to go there
- How to go there?
- Length of the tour and transport
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a brake during the tour?
- Shopping
It is preferable to visit in spring or summer as Scotland can be cold and wet the rest of the year. That said, it can be cold and wet in spring and summer as well! However, some would say such weather can add to the mystique of Edinburgh. From June to July, the city is very busy with tourists and those wishing to avoid crowds might consider May or September instead. For most of August, the Edinburgh Festival is an added attraction for the visitor who likes the arts.
The Old Town Walk begins on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which is visible from most places in the centre of the city. The best way to get there is by walking from Princes Street, the main street of Edinburgh. In this way you will encounter spectacular views and you will appreciate the grandeur of the city and its topography. From Princes Street, walk up the Mound and turn right on the High Street. From there you will reach the Castle by going uphill 400 metres.
The entire Old Town Walk will take 2.5 to 5 hours depending on how long you stop at the indicated sites of interest. It will take only 2.5 hours if you do not visit museums on the way. You could divide this into two walks on separate says by first doing stops 1 through 9 from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, covering a distance of approximately two kilometres. Stops 10 through 14 covering another two kilometres will bring you to the conclusion of the walk at Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Not enough time to visit? See the main attractionsShorten your walk by concentrating on key impresarios of the Edinburgh Enlightenment at the following stops: 1. Edinburgh Castle and Ramsay Gardens (Allan Ramsay), 3. Makars Court (Robert Burns, Walter Scott, James Boswell), 4. Statue of David Hume, 5. Statue of Adam Smith, 8. Statue of Robert Fergusson, 9. The Scottish Parliament, 12. The Royal High School and The Old College of Edinburgh University (Robert Adam) , 13. George Square (Adam Ferguson) and 14. Greyfriars Churchyard.
- Edinburgh Castle (not an essential part of this walk, tickets £11.50 to £18.50 depending on age)9.30 am to 6 pm from 26th. March through 30th. September (last entry 5 pm)9.30 am to 5 pm from 1st. October through 31st. March (last entry 4 pm)
- The Writers Museum:10 am to 5 pm seven days a week (free entry, but donations welcome)
- St. Giles Cathedral: (free entry, but £2 for photographs)Summer Opening Hours (May – September)Monday – Friday 09.00 – 19.00Saturday 09.00 – 17.00Sunday 13.00 – 17.00Winter Opening Hours (October – April)Monday – Saturday 09.00 – 17.00Sunday 13.00-17.00
- Parliament House (free entry)10am-4pm, Monday-Friday
- Holyrood Palace (not an essential part of this walk, entry cost £8.10 to £19.10 depending on age and choice of tour)1st November through 29th. March: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (last entry 3.15 pm)31st. March through 31st. October: 9.30 am to 6 pm (last entry 4.30 pm)(Closed 25th. and 26th. December and when the Queen is in residence)
- Greyfriars KirkyardOpen 24 hours at no cost
This walk is not ideally suitable for children.
Three excellent Scottish restaurants on the Royal Mile (reservation recommended for all and well in advance during the summer)
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF (+44-131-225-5613): Midday to 11.30 pm for 2 course light lunch for £22 to £27 or three course lunch or dinner for £40. A la carte also available but expensive. Not wheelchair accessible. “Alongside the Scottish seafood, beef, lamb and game you'd expect to find, you'll also see the Witchery's legendary Angus beef steak tartare, briny-fresh seafood platters, wild game and even some haggis featuring on the menu.”
Angels and Bagpipes
343 High St., Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1PW (+44 -131-220-1111):Midday to 10 pm. Up to 5.30 pm for 2 course lunch at £17.50 or 3 courses for £21.50. A la carte available for dinner with main courses from £16 to £32. Evening tasting menu also available at £40. Scottish ingredients and style with innovative French and Italian twists.
Dubh Prais
(Gaelic for Black Pot), 123B High St., Edinburgh EH1, 1SG (+44-131-557-5732):Evening only from 5 pm to 10 pm with main courses from £14.50 to £30.00. “Stunning array of traditional Scottish goodies within including, salmon, sole, Aberdeen Angus beef, haggis, pheasant and venison. The natural ingredients are given room to shine; each is cooked simply with seasonal herbs, and they are accompanied by an extensive wine list and a fine range of whisky. ”
Two traditional Scottish pubs with less expensive fare:
The Royal McGregor
154 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS (+44-131 225 7064):Open 9.30 am (for breakfast) until 11 pm with main courses from £9 to £16 (£24 for steak). “Comfortable, traditional pub offering Scottish cuisine, local real ales and a wide choice of malts.” Please note, the venue unfortunately cannot seat anyone under the age of 5 due to licensing restrictions, but welcomes those under the age of 16 in the restaurant until 8pm.
Whiski Bar & Restaurant
119 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG (+44-131-556-3095):Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 1 am, Monday through Thursday: 11 am to 12 am with main courses from £10 to £16 (£24 for steak). “Full of character and with a brilliant atmosphere. All day dining serves the best of fresh Scottish food, using the best local produce, with over 300 malt whiskies.”
Live Scottish music seven nights a week.Fancy a tea or coffee during your walk?
Mimi’s Bakehouse
250 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AA. “Mimi’s Little Bakehouse is our fabulous cafe and takeaway bakery positioned on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. It is a little bakery with a massive cake cabinet, bursting with cakes, traybakes, brownies, cupcakes, muffins and of course, our famous scones!”Monday to Friday: 8 am to 6pmSaturday & Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Enjoy a tea or coffee at the end of your walk? Try the Elephant House at 21 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EN, just a hundred metres after your last stop at Greyfriars Kirkyard. “Opened in 1995, The Elephant House has established itself as one of the best tea and coffee houses in Edinburgh. Made famous as the place of inspiration to writers such as J.K. Rowling, who sat writing much of her early novels in the back room overlooking Edinburgh Castle. Ian Rankin, author of the bestselling Rebus novels, and Alexander McCall-Smith, author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency and other series of novels, have also frequented The Elephant House, as well as many others throughout the years.”Monday through Thursday: 8am - 10pmFriday through Sunday: 8am - 11pm
Royal Mile Whiskies
379 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PW (+44 (0)131 225 3383) “If you love whisky and want to set up a shop to sell it, then you can’t go far wrong with a location like the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Set up in 1991, Royal Mile Whiskies has become one of the most respected whisky merchants in the world, winning Whisky Magazine’s Retailer of the Year Award in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.”Opening Hours:Sunday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm
Cranachan & Crowdie
Royal Mile, 263 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BQ (+44-131 556 7194)
“Like an Aladdin's cave of Scottish delights, you'll some real foodie treasures here... smoked salmon, craft beer, homemade pies, gourmet black pudding and cool condiments. Can't decide what to buy? They do hampers too so they can do the choosing for you. My pick however would be the amazing salted chocolate discs (with a beautiful swirly pattern) made in Perthshire – chocolate so good it could bring tears to your eyes!”Opening hours: daily 11 am to 6 pm (May close for January for owners’ vacation)
The Nutcracker Christmas Shop
High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB (+44-131-557-9703)Traditional, festive-themed gift store, stocking decorations, carved German figures and nutcrackers.Opening hours: 10 am to 5.30 pm except Saturday, 10 am to 5 pmAt the end of your walk, find Victoria Street off George IV Bridge and an eclectic mix of boutiques:
Museum Context
(The Harry Potter fans’ idea of heaven), 40 Victoria street, Edinburgh EH 2JW (+44-131-226-5882)
Situated on Victoria Street, rumoured to be the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley, this shop houses a “carefully curated world class selection of officially licensed Harry Potter merchandise is a magnet for Harry Potter fans worldwide who queue from morning until night to explore the store.”Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily
Demijohn
32 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW (+44-131-225-4090)
Gin, whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and the owner says: “My Wife and I founded Demijohn in 2004 in Edinburgh's Old Town as the World’s first Liquid Deli. It started as a family business and still is very much that. Simply pick your own bottle then choose your favourite food or drink to fill it with. You can refill your Demijohn bottle again and again...Opening hours 10 am to 6 pm every day except Sunday 11.30 am to 5 pmWalker and Slater
16-20 Victoria Street for men and 44- 46 Victoria Street for women, Edinburgh EH1 2HG (+44-131-220-9750)
Tweed Jacket
Suit and Tailoring Specialists: “We create fabrics and styles that are constantly improved upon to keep their relevance today, whilst striving to retain the heritage and integrity of the weaving and tailoring from the past. Everything is designed and created to provide our customers with the best value and quality we can offer.”
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm except Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm
Map
Informations
- When to go there
- How to go there?
- Length of the tour and transport
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a brake during the tour?
- Shopping
- When to go there
- How to go there?
- Length of the tour and transport
- Opening hours
- Visiting with kids?
- Need a brake during the tour?
- Shopping
It is preferable to visit in spring or summer as Scotland can be cold and wet the rest of the year. That said, it can be cold and wet in spring and summer as well! However, some would say such weather can add to the mystique of Edinburgh. From June to July, the city is very busy with tourists and those wishing to avoid crowds might consider May or September instead. For most of August, the Edinburgh Festival is an added attraction for the visitor who likes the arts.
The Old Town Walk begins on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which is visible from most places in the centre of the city. The best way to get there is by walking from Princes Street, the main street of Edinburgh. In this way you will encounter spectacular views and you will appreciate the grandeur of the city and its topography. From Princes Street, walk up the Mound and turn right on the High Street. From there you will reach the Castle by going uphill 400 metres.
The entire Old Town Walk will take 2.5 to 5 hours depending on how long you stop at the indicated sites of interest. It will take only 2.5 hours if you do not visit museums on the way. You could divide this into two walks on separate says by first doing stops 1 through 9 from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, covering a distance of approximately two kilometres. Stops 10 through 14 covering another two kilometres will bring you to the conclusion of the walk at Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Not enough time to visit? See the main attractionsShorten your walk by concentrating on key impresarios of the Edinburgh Enlightenment at the following stops: 1. Edinburgh Castle and Ramsay Gardens (Allan Ramsay), 3. Makars Court (Robert Burns, Walter Scott, James Boswell), 4. Statue of David Hume, 5. Statue of Adam Smith, 8. Statue of Robert Fergusson, 9. The Scottish Parliament, 12. The Royal High School and The Old College of Edinburgh University (Robert Adam) , 13. George Square (Adam Ferguson) and 14. Greyfriars Churchyard.
- Edinburgh Castle (not an essential part of this walk, tickets £11.50 to £18.50 depending on age)9.30 am to 6 pm from 26th. March through 30th. September (last entry 5 pm)9.30 am to 5 pm from 1st. October through 31st. March (last entry 4 pm)
- The Writers Museum:10 am to 5 pm seven days a week (free entry, but donations welcome)
- St. Giles Cathedral: (free entry, but £2 for photographs)Summer Opening Hours (May – September)Monday – Friday 09.00 – 19.00Saturday 09.00 – 17.00Sunday 13.00 – 17.00Winter Opening Hours (October – April)Monday – Saturday 09.00 – 17.00Sunday 13.00-17.00
- Parliament House (free entry)10am-4pm, Monday-Friday
- Holyrood Palace (not an essential part of this walk, entry cost £8.10 to £19.10 depending on age and choice of tour)1st November through 29th. March: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (last entry 3.15 pm)31st. March through 31st. October: 9.30 am to 6 pm (last entry 4.30 pm)(Closed 25th. and 26th. December and when the Queen is in residence)
- Greyfriars KirkyardOpen 24 hours at no cost
This walk is not ideally suitable for children.
Three excellent Scottish restaurants on the Royal Mile (reservation recommended for all and well in advance during the summer)
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF (+44-131-225-5613): Midday to 11.30 pm for 2 course light lunch for £22 to £27 or three course lunch or dinner for £40. A la carte also available but expensive. Not wheelchair accessible. “Alongside the Scottish seafood, beef, lamb and game you'd expect to find, you'll also see the Witchery's legendary Angus beef steak tartare, briny-fresh seafood platters, wild game and even some haggis featuring on the menu.”
Angels and Bagpipes
343 High St., Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1PW (+44 -131-220-1111):Midday to 10 pm. Up to 5.30 pm for 2 course lunch at £17.50 or 3 courses for £21.50. A la carte available for dinner with main courses from £16 to £32. Evening tasting menu also available at £40. Scottish ingredients and style with innovative French and Italian twists.
Dubh Prais
(Gaelic for Black Pot), 123B High St., Edinburgh EH1, 1SG (+44-131-557-5732):Evening only from 5 pm to 10 pm with main courses from £14.50 to £30.00. “Stunning array of traditional Scottish goodies within including, salmon, sole, Aberdeen Angus beef, haggis, pheasant and venison. The natural ingredients are given room to shine; each is cooked simply with seasonal herbs, and they are accompanied by an extensive wine list and a fine range of whisky. ”
Two traditional Scottish pubs with less expensive fare:
The Royal McGregor
154 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS (+44-131 225 7064):Open 9.30 am (for breakfast) until 11 pm with main courses from £9 to £16 (£24 for steak). “Comfortable, traditional pub offering Scottish cuisine, local real ales and a wide choice of malts.” Please note, the venue unfortunately cannot seat anyone under the age of 5 due to licensing restrictions, but welcomes those under the age of 16 in the restaurant until 8pm.
Whiski Bar & Restaurant
119 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG (+44-131-556-3095):Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 1 am, Monday through Thursday: 11 am to 12 am with main courses from £10 to £16 (£24 for steak). “Full of character and with a brilliant atmosphere. All day dining serves the best of fresh Scottish food, using the best local produce, with over 300 malt whiskies.”
Live Scottish music seven nights a week.Fancy a tea or coffee during your walk?
Mimi’s Bakehouse
250 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AA. “Mimi’s Little Bakehouse is our fabulous cafe and takeaway bakery positioned on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. It is a little bakery with a massive cake cabinet, bursting with cakes, traybakes, brownies, cupcakes, muffins and of course, our famous scones!”Monday to Friday: 8 am to 6pmSaturday & Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Enjoy a tea or coffee at the end of your walk? Try the Elephant House at 21 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EN, just a hundred metres after your last stop at Greyfriars Kirkyard. “Opened in 1995, The Elephant House has established itself as one of the best tea and coffee houses in Edinburgh. Made famous as the place of inspiration to writers such as J.K. Rowling, who sat writing much of her early novels in the back room overlooking Edinburgh Castle. Ian Rankin, author of the bestselling Rebus novels, and Alexander McCall-Smith, author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency and other series of novels, have also frequented The Elephant House, as well as many others throughout the years.”Monday through Thursday: 8am - 10pmFriday through Sunday: 8am - 11pm
Royal Mile Whiskies
379 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PW (+44 (0)131 225 3383) “If you love whisky and want to set up a shop to sell it, then you can’t go far wrong with a location like the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Set up in 1991, Royal Mile Whiskies has become one of the most respected whisky merchants in the world, winning Whisky Magazine’s Retailer of the Year Award in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.”Opening Hours:Sunday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm
Cranachan & Crowdie
Royal Mile, 263 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BQ (+44-131 556 7194)
“Like an Aladdin's cave of Scottish delights, you'll some real foodie treasures here... smoked salmon, craft beer, homemade pies, gourmet black pudding and cool condiments. Can't decide what to buy? They do hampers too so they can do the choosing for you. My pick however would be the amazing salted chocolate discs (with a beautiful swirly pattern) made in Perthshire – chocolate so good it could bring tears to your eyes!”Opening hours: daily 11 am to 6 pm (May close for January for owners’ vacation)
The Nutcracker Christmas Shop
High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB (+44-131-557-9703)Traditional, festive-themed gift store, stocking decorations, carved German figures and nutcrackers.Opening hours: 10 am to 5.30 pm except Saturday, 10 am to 5 pmAt the end of your walk, find Victoria Street off George IV Bridge and an eclectic mix of boutiques:
Museum Context
(The Harry Potter fans’ idea of heaven), 40 Victoria street, Edinburgh EH 2JW (+44-131-226-5882)
Situated on Victoria Street, rumoured to be the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley, this shop houses a “carefully curated world class selection of officially licensed Harry Potter merchandise is a magnet for Harry Potter fans worldwide who queue from morning until night to explore the store.”Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily
Demijohn
32 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW (+44-131-225-4090)
Gin, whisky, vodka, brandy, rum and the owner says: “My Wife and I founded Demijohn in 2004 in Edinburgh's Old Town as the World’s first Liquid Deli. It started as a family business and still is very much that. Simply pick your own bottle then choose your favourite food or drink to fill it with. You can refill your Demijohn bottle again and again...Opening hours 10 am to 6 pm every day except Sunday 11.30 am to 5 pm
Walker and Slater
16-20 Victoria Street for men and 44- 46 Victoria Street for women, Edinburgh EH1 2HG (+44-131-220-9750)
Tweed Jacket
Suit and Tailoring Specialists: “We create fabrics and styles that are constantly improved upon to keep their relevance today, whilst striving to retain the heritage and integrity of the weaving and tailoring from the past. Everything is designed and created to provide our customers with the best value and quality we can offer.”
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm except Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm
