Navigating your way around
The Royal Mile is divided into six distinct areas for visitors to navigate: The Castlehill and Castle Esplanade is located closest to Edinburgh Castle and represents the oldest part of the Royal Mile. The main entrance of the Castle is found in the Castle Esplanade, a large open space where currently the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place every summer. The Lawnmarket, up until the seventeenth century was a market-place famous for selling yarn. Today, Lawnmarket is where visitors will find infinite souvenir shops. The most popular section of this longstanding region is High Street - where you'll find the St Giles' Cathedral, Tron Kirk, shops, numerous pubs and restaurants. Canongate was an independent burgh, separated from the city and outside the walls. The wall that divided the burghs was located on Jeffrey Street, between Edinburgh and Canongate. In this small part of the Royal Mile Abbey Strand connects the end of Canongate (where the Scottish Parliament Building is located) to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Things to do, places to go, when visiting the Royal Mile
The inhabitants of the city believed that there was no world outside the walls and this pub called "The World's End". The Scotch Whisky Experience: Learn from the most knowledgeable experts about the history and secrets behind Scotland's national drink. The Royal Mile Market At Tron Kirk is an Aladdin's cave filled to the brim with artisan trinkets and is for certain worth a visit. The Scottish Parliament: It is only fitting for the Scottish Parliament building to be located at the end of the Royal Mile, next to the palace and majestic Arthur's Seat. Go see it. The Palace Of Holyroodhouse has been an official residence of the kings and queens of Scotland since the 16th century. The Real Mary King's Close: Lying deep beneath the Old Town and the Royal Mile is a set of underground spaces and streets (known as closes), which are entangled with chilling stories that have haunted the locals since the 17th century, this attraction gives a fascinating depiction of Edinburgh life between the 16th and 19th centuries. St Giles' Cathedral: From the ornate stained-glass windows to the intricate woodwork and high ceilings, St Giles' Cathedral is an impressive piece of 14th-century architecture. Set your eyes upon the famous crown steeple, which plays a supporting role in Edinburgh's breath-taking city skyline. The Heart Of Midlothian: The Heart of Midlothian is a heart-shaped mosaic camouflaged within the grey cobbled pavement. This stone is made from granite setts and is very precious to the Scots.
The Entire Royal Mile
Peculiarly, its length which measures 1.81 km is approximately one Scots mile long. Along the thoroughfare there are numerous passageways (closes) and courts, which are worth visiting to get a glimpse of the city's Medieval architecture.
