Walking Tour of Edinburgh Old Town
From Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat
One day in Edinburgh just can't do it justice. But you can squeeze the highlights of the Old Town into less than 24 hours.
Kilts. Haggis. Bagpipes. Whisky. That might be what first springs to mind, but there’s so much more to Edinburgh's ancient Old Town. What’s more, its compact size makes it easy to experience the best it has to offer in just one day.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh’s most visible point of interest is its famous Castle, and it’s the obvious starting point for an exploration of the city's Old Town. Making an early start will give you the jump on the crowds - a necessity in high season, when the hordes will have you thinking the English have invaded again! The entry price of $22 may seem steep, but after a full morning exploring the fascinating nooks and crannies of this national icon, you’ll see that it’s money well spent. Don’t miss St Margaret’s Chapel, built in 1130 and the oldest building in Edinburgh - quite a claim in this historic city. The Castle is open daily from 9.30am to 6pm Apr-Sep, 9.30am to 5pm Oct-Mar. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Call +41 (0)131 225 9846 for more information.
Lunch on the Royal Mile
Unless you’re visiting on a Sunday, when 1pm passes quietly, the firing of the one o’clock cannon from the castle is your cue for lunch. Stroll across the castle forecourt and venture down the Royal Mile (so named because it runs from castle at the top to palace at the bottom for a distance of...you guessed it, one mile), pausing for a quick peek inside the imposing St Giles cathedral, and you’ll soon find yourself in the happy position of being spoiled for culinary choice. Always Sunday (no. 170) is perfect for a light cafe meal and great coffee, while across the road the Albanach (no. 179) offers hearty pub meals and local ales.
Fortified, it’s time to continue down the Royal Mile, soaking up the atmosphere of what was one of the world’s first high-rise cities. The wynds and closes that peel off the street teemed from the 1500s with thousands of inhabitants of all classes and breeding. Take a few sideways detours, and you’ll see the remains of what was once a warren of multi-storey tenements - one even reaching to fourteen stories.
John Knox House
John Knox house is at number 43, and worth a visit if you haven’t lingered too long over lunch. While the true connection with the father of the Scottish Reformation is sketchy (according to various sources, he either lived in, died in, preached from or simply had access to the place) it’s a stunning example of a home from the 15th century. Open daily 10am - 4.30pm excluding Sundays (additional times during Summer). Admission $5.
Holyrood, Parliament and Arthur's Seat
The Royal Mile continues on down the hill, past souvenir shops and museums of various quality. Time’s at a premium, though, so it’s best to stick to a little window shopping in order to save time for the attractions at the bottom. For this is where the pace picks up again, with the impressive Scottish Parliament building and Palace of Holyrood House clustered together at the base of Edinburgh’s other icon, Arthur’s Seat.
Time constraints - or the weather - will most likely necessitate a choice: the history and spectacle of Holyrood, or the winding paths and breathtaking views of Arthur’s Seat.
If opting for Holyrood (entrance $20, or $26 including the Queen’s Gallery) you’ll be rewarded with ornate staterooms, the abbey ruins and an insight into the palace’s most famous resident, Mary Queen of Scots. Don’t miss what is one of the quirkiest buildings in Edinburgh: Queen Mary’s bath-house sits at the edge of the grounds, and presents a jumble of walls and turrets that seem to defy gravity. How it has remained standing over centuries is a mystery. Opening hours vary depending on royal visits (this is where the Queen stays when visiting Edinburgh), events and time of year - check the palace's web site for full details or call +44 (0)131 556 5100.
For the more energetic, a wander across the road takes you to the cliffs and slopes of Arthur’s Seat. All paths eventually lead to the top, so choose a direction and go, remembering to stop to admire the spectacular views.
Dinner is most likely calling by now, as is one of the most atmospheric pubs in Edinburgh. Continue down over the other side of Arthur’s Seat (or call a cab, if you took the Holyrood option) and you’ll find the village of Duddingston and its Sheep Heid Inn. The oldest continually established pub in Scotland, it’s been serving customers from the same location since 1360. That’s a lot of pints! Pull up a seat and choose from a menu of delicious, hearty pub fare - including haggis, of course! After a day of historic sights and sounds, you've earned it.
Two Days in Edinburgh?
Combine this tour with a wander through the elegant New Town. Click here for tour details.
