What to See On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh? Amazing Things

Despite the fact that Edinburgh is smaller than most European cities, it has just as much history. For good reason, the Royal Mile is quite touristy, but not all activities and venues are created equal. So here are my recommendations for what to see on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

What is the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

The Royal Mile is a network of streets that runs through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Most visitors to the Scottish capital will find themselves strolling along its streets at least once. The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle in Castlehill down to High Street, Abbey Strand, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can walk it in about 20 minutes, but you’ll need much more time to see everything.

The Royal Mile reveals information about the city’s ancient geography. Edinburgh’s castle is built on the crater of a long-extinct volcano. The ice sheet that covered it receded many thousands of years ago. As it did so, it left a line of glacial debris behind, resulting in what geographers call a “crag and tail” formation. As you make your way up the Royal Mile to the castle, you can imagine what the landscape was like in the past.

The Palace at the end of the Royal Mile

There are several streets along the Royal Mile, each with its own unique historical treasure. Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canon-gate, and Abbey Strand are the streets that comprise the Royal Mile (which leads to the Holyrood Palace). These streets are a great representation of life in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The side streets between houses or ‘closes’ housed the livestock for those inhabitants in the skyscraper-like apartments.

Edinburgh’s Construction and History:

In 1124, King David was the first to recognize the hill as an ideal location for defense, and he built a fort and named it the Burgh of Eiden. This later gave rise to Edinburgh Castle, which I believe was created by someone who was dyslexic and simply got the names mixed up.

King Henry VIII burned much of the city in 1544 because Scotland refused to allow him to marry Mary Queen of Scots, who was an infant at the time. It’s a good thing that didn’t happen because King Henry VIII was historically odd.

The Royal Mile was home to as many as 70,000 people in 1645. Some of the buildings were 14 stories tall, with up to ten people sharing a single room!

Renovations began in 1865, with new housing constructed on Blackfriars and St Mary’s streets. Cockburn Street also served as a link between the Royal Mile and the Train Station.

Patrick Geddes then remodeled the Canongate and the top of the mound to resemble the original Royal Mile from 500 years ago.

Hopefully, I haven’t lost all of my readers now that I’ve spouted off much of the data and dates associated with Edinburgh and the Royal Mile. It is important to understand the historical context because it allows you to realize what a dark history of war this area has had over time.

Castle of Edinburgh:

Chapel of St Margaret:

The tiny Norman chapel, built in the 12th century, is the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle still standing. The chapel, named after Malcolm III’s saintly wife, is still used for weddings by the castle guardians today.

The Great Hall, built by James IV in 1510 with ornate hammerbeam roofing, houses a fine collection of armor and weapons. Please don’t ask me what hammerbeam means because I have no idea. I’m assuming it’s due to the arch’s shark tooth appearance.

The Destiny Stone:

The castle was not only significant during Scotland’s Wars of Independence, but it was also the seat of the Scottish Kings. Check out the Stone of Destiny, a tradition of Scottish Kings who would sit on this stone during their coronation.

This is thought to be the stone from which Jacob (of the Bible) dreamed about Jacob’s ladder. As a result, the stone is considered sacred, which is likely why Edward the I built it into his throne in 1296. Make sure to watch the movie The Stone of Destiny, which is associated with the stone.

The Stone of Destiny, as well as the Scottish Royal Crown and Jewels, can be found and viewed at Edinburgh Castle. To view these items, you must have a ticket, so plan accordingly.

Ancient Royal Apartments:

The small room in the Royal Apartments where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James, who would eventually become James VI of Scotland and James I of England, can still be seen.

Vaults and Graves:

The castle’s eerie vaults are among the other things to see. The Scottish United Services Museum is humbling to visit. In addition, there is a gallery in the hospital square, the Witches Well (where women were burned for witchcraft), and Mons Meg ( a 15th-century cannon ).

My favorite part was a small cemetery near the castle’s summit where the regimental pet dogs are buried. This is when I realized I was truly Scottish; my love for dogs was evident in the respect they show their dogs. It broke my heart to know that these animals will live on in the history of Edinburgh Castle.

New College

Edinburgh University’s School of Divinity and Library is located on the Royal Mile. As he did in his old sermons, John Knox will greet you promptly at the door. More information about John Knox can be found in the St. Giles Cathedral section.

This Divinity School is one of the most prestigious universities for post-graduate theology studies, with programs from 30 different countries. The Church of Scotland was founded in May 1843, after one-third of its ministers left the Church of Scotland. They left the church in protest and in search of spiritual independence.

An assembly of Free Church Representatives decided that this college would be used to train Free Church ministers. This university is still used to train theologians today. An excellent example of the past meeting the present, one of many in Scotland.

A Personal Moment at this University

I had no idea what this structure was and probably shouldn’t have written it down. I entered the courtyard through a slightly open door. I had no idea why the statues I came across appeared to be of important people. I have to admit that I felt at ease in this location.

The desire to learn more about why I felt so peaceful outweighed my brain’s warnings.

I attempted to climb some of the stairs, but there were several young adults with backpacks attempting to pass each other on the narrow stairs. This is when I realized I was in a school of some kind and decided to leave.

It was interesting to find out what this building was after I got home because I felt so peaceful there. Scotland was the first time I traveled alone. It was also 4 months after I had experienced significant trauma. (See: When you try to keep it together but just can’t – post for more on that). I stumbled into this structure within the first two hours of my arrival in Scotland.

St Giles Cathedral

Saint Giles is known as the patron saint of cripples and beggars. There are a few beggars on the Royal Mile, but they are not as aggressive as in many American cities. The English destroyed this church in 1385 after it was built in 1126. The Scottish Reformation occurred, as did the great minister John Knox, who served in this city from 1559 to 1572.

Several notable Scots are buried here, including James Graham, Marquis of Montrose (who was incidentally hung at Mercat Cross).

The Heart of Midlothian can be found within the cobblestone street on the west side of the Cathedral. This is the location of Parliament from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It was also a common location for executions. For some reason I don’t understand, Scots will spit on the heart to bring good luck (so just be aware of the spitters).

Mercat Cross is located directly across the street from St Giles Cathedral. Due to their crimes, people were frequently tied up and whipped, tortured, and killed. It made no difference whether they were true, witchcraft, or false claims.

Real Mary King’s Close

Visit the bowels of Scotland beneath the towering buildings along the Royal Mile on an underground tour. You will be transported into the Real Mary King’s Close after descended into the city’s dark depths (or alleyway).

Explore the 17th-century homes and streets. Explore your imagination as you learn about those who were afflicted by the plague. Learn about the Plague’s centuries-old medical management. This tour’s historical content is fantastic. On a scale of 0 to 10, the creepy factor for this tour is only about a 3. I would be hesitant to bring small children on this tour. It is, however, a fantastic tour for anyone working in the medical field or who is interested in ancient medicine.

The Holyrood Palace

This is one of the highlights of your self-guided tour of Scotland’s Royal Mile, a place where old meets new. Enjoy the Royal Art Collection at Holyrood Palace, where I saw several Vermeer paintings. The royals’ favorite special collections can be found here. Take a tour of Holyrood Palace’s many rooms and the history that surrounds them.

This is where Mary, Queen of Scots had her official apartments in the 16th century. The Queen of Scots Apartments and the State Apartments are both open to the public all year. Remember that the Queen of England visits Scotland every year in the first month of summer (June to July) and holds ceremonies and banquets for her Holyrood Week with Garden Parties. For over 500 years, Scottish Royalty has resided in this Palace and its grounds.

There are several options for tours of the Palace, so make sure you know which one you want to take. You can visit just the State Apartments or the Queen’s Royal Art Collection as well as the Palace Grounds. I personally went on the Royal Visit (includes State Apartments, Royal Collection which housed many Vermeer paintings, and the Garden tour).

Why Choosing the Royal Tour is the Best Idea

You quickly realize that you can only walk on the sidewalks while touring the palace. Walking on the grass is prohibited at all times unless accompanied by a Palace Warden. Do not put the Warden’s people to the test; you may end up in hot water if you do.

The Royal Tour, which includes the gardens and palace grounds, provides a unique perspective on the Palace. The Royal Tour permits walking on the pristine grass. You will also hear amusing stories about why certain items are kept on the grounds. There’s also a story about sibling rivalry that taught me that no matter the century, there’s always one….you know who I’m talking about.

What to Bring & the Weather

During the day, the cobblestone streets retain a lot of heat. When the sun goes down, the temperatures drop quickly, and because the water is so close, it can get quite chilly, even with warm blankets. After the sun goes down, the restaurants will quickly fill up, making it difficult to find a table. Some restaurants accept reservations, but the majority operate on a “first come, first served” basis.

No matter what time of day it is, when the sun sets, most people seek shelter from the cold. Bring gloves, a slouchy beanie, and a winter coat because it can get quite windy. I usually layer my clothing with a breathable fleece sweater and a rain jacket. Many travelers, I’m sure, want to look cute in their photos. When you start to freeze, you’ll wish you had the proper equipment.

How long do I need to spend on the royal mile to see everything?

These are just a few of the sights to see along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. I would give yourself at least two days to see everything on the Royal Mile properly because there will be a lot of walking involved.

One of my favorite cities in the world is Edinburgh. My ancestors come from Scotland. All of the major sites are within 20 minutes of walking distance for pedestrians. Making friends is incredibly simple in Scotland because most people are helpful, kind, and upbeat. Basically, you should go to Scotland right now or add it to your bucket list.

Topic: What to See On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh? Amazing Things

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By: Travel Pixy