Edinburgh - Royal Mile 
The streets which link Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are known in local parlance as the "Royal Mile". This historic thoroughfare is lined with elegant town houses and living quarters, but it is the shops which draw the crowds. Kiltmakers such as Hector Russel, Ragamuffin, Geoffrey or the Scottish Experience vie with well-known outlets for woolen goods, designer boutiques, pubs, museums and numerous restaurants.
The tall six to 15-story blocks are known as "lands", the little alleys as "wynds" and the hidden backyards as "closes".
The tall six to 15-story blocks are known as "lands", the little alleys as "wynds" and the hidden backyards as "closes".
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
Related Attractions
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Gladstone's Land
Set back a little on the left-hand side of Lawnmarket stand James' Court, the former residence of the philosopher David Hume ca. 1760, and also Gladstone's Land, which was built in 1631 by Thomas Gladstone. The six-story merchant's house has been restored by the National Trust for Scotland. One floor with its pretty ceiling paintings and original furniture accurately reflects life for the gentry during the Middle Ages.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Lady Stair's Close
The small museum in the Lady Stair's Close (1622) displays manuscripts, portraits, etchings, and memorabilia of the poet Robert Burns and the writers Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Hours
June 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
October 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Facilities
Gift shop
Museum of Childhood
Patrick Murray opened the Museum of Childhood over 30 years ago. Old toys including model railroads, fruit machines, dolls and games from all over the world are displayed over five floors.
Museum of Childhood
42 High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1TG
Scotland
42 High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1TG
Scotland
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Brass Rubbing Centre (temporarily closed)
Opposite in Chalmers Close the restored section of the old Trinity College (1460) houses a comprehensive collection of brass replicas. Brass signs can be made to order.
Brass Rubbing Centre
Trinity Apse
Chalmers Close
42 High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1SS
Scotland
Trinity Apse
Chalmers Close
42 High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1SS
Scotland
High Street Heart of Midlothian
A heart-shaped mosaic of granite stones on the pavement in front of the main portal of St Giles marks the spot where the Old Tolbooth, immortalized by Scott in his "Heart of Midlothian", stood for over 400 years. According to Scottish custom, it brings good luck to spit into the heart.
Mercat Cross
During the Middle Ages, heralds read out royal proclamations here. It was also the site of public executions.
Parliament Square
What was previously the cemetery opposite St Giles is now Parliament Square. The militant reformer John Knox was probably buried here in 1572. The equestrian statue of Charles II in the middle of the square is one of the oldest lead statues in Great Britain.
Riddle's Court (Brodie's Close)
Riddle's Court (16th century) with a remarkable stair tower and Brodie's Close named after the artisan Francis Brodie face the Lady Stair's Close museum. Both are well worth a visit. The double life of Brodie's son Deacon William Brodie inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write the novel "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" although the author did move the story to London. Brodie's crimes resulted in him meeting his death on the same gallows that he had designed for the city.
Royal Mile Castle Hill
At the upper end of the Royal Mile, or Castle Hill, stands Sir Patrick Geddes' Outlook Tower (1853) and Camera Obscura.
On display inside are a series of old photographs of Victorian Edinburgh and some examples of holography, three-dimensional designs produced with laser technology. Handicrafts and holograms are sold in the Obscura shop.
The magnificent panoramic view from the top of the building should not be missed.
On display inside are a series of old photographs of Victorian Edinburgh and some examples of holography, three-dimensional designs produced with laser technology. Handicrafts and holograms are sold in the Obscura shop.
The magnificent panoramic view from the top of the building should not be missed.
Scandic Crown Hotel
The Scot Ian Begg designed the Scandic Crown Hotel which was opened in 1990. Its facade is broken up with various roof levels and different building materials - blocks of sandstone, red and beige plaster - so that it fits in well with the nearby historic buildings.
