Walking tour of Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Ann, How are you arriving in Edinburgh? We, and several others who post here can help. You can easily do this tour on your own.

Monte, Would you give someone besides Ann pointers:)? My husband and I will arrive in Edinburgh by plane August 7th. We are staying at Gildun B& B. The first night we will attend the Tatoo and and do have 2 day trips planned. Want to spend time on the Royal Mile. Any suggestions for our stay? Thank you for your help
Cathy

We have never stayed overnight in Edinburgh. It has always been a day trip for us, about four or five times. The Tatoo takes place in front of the Edinburgh Castle which is at one end of the Royal Mile. Holyrood is at the other end. When we walk the Royal Mile we go from Waverly Station up the hill to St. Giles and then either go to the left (towards Holyrood) or to the right (towards) the Castle. Up one way and down the other, and you will pass by all the sights. We have always enjoyed New Town also, as well as the Royal Botanic Garden. The Tourist Information Center is atop the Waverly Station steps, adjacent to Princes Street. We have always used the Rough Guide to Scotland as our helping hand. You can do the Royal Mile walk on your own. The TI center will have printed guides you can use.

Edinburgh is very easy to explore on your own. Go to the castle, then slowly meander down the royal mile, stopping at Mary King's Close, until you get to Holyrood Palace which is available for tours if the Queen isn't in residence.... Princes Street is the main shopping street and not worth the bother IMHO. On the other side of Prince Street is Rose Street which is full of pubs and a fun place to eat, stroll, and people watch. If you have more time, you might enjoy hiking up Arthur's Seat, near Holyrood Palace, or catching a city bus to Rosslyn Chapel, south of town.

It is Princes Street, and Denner's department store is a most interesting place to walk through.

This may be gilding the lily, but I just thought of another place to visit. At eh top of the Waverly Station Stairs, cross the street and turn left. Walk to Frederick Street and turn right, up the hill. Go to 21 Frederick St., Dickson & McNaughton. This is an old Scottish gunmaker's shop and it has by far the largest collection of Barbour garments we have ever seen. There is also a gun room if you are so inclined. I've got one more last shop to visit if you are interested.

Edinburgh - our favorite city in the world. Ann, I can't address your question about a walking tour company, but once on the Royal Mile, just walking from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace is fantastic. And if you have Rick's guidebook, you can do it on your own. Just remember that everything is uphill BOTH WAYS!! Some great sites to see in Old Town (besides the Castle and Holyrood) are Gladstone Land, St. Giles Cathedral, Mary King's Close, and hike up Arthur's Seat. And some restaurants to consider, all on the Royal Mile: Clarinda's Tea Room – 69 Canongate (breakfast, lunch & tea) Always Sunday – 170 High St. (breakfast, lunch & tea) Coffee shop under the Whisky Experience (near the castle) - very tasty lunch at very reasonable prices The World's End Pub – 4 High St. (lunch & dinner, great fish & chips) St. Giles Cathedral Café & Bar – very reasonable (breakfast, lunch, and tea) AND for great Whisky (Scotch) stop at Cadenhead's Whisky Shop, 172 Canongate Also Jenner's Department Store on Princes St. is a great place to pick-up shortbread and other food type items to bring back home. Much better prices than on the Royal Mile. Let me know if I can help answer any other questions. Have a wonderful trip!

Jenner's, yes, not Denner's. Thanks.

Thank you all for your wonderful information. If you think of anything else, please post-interested in all the suggestions. Thanks again
Cathy

Near the castle at the top of the Royal Mile is the Scotch Whisky Experience. Do it! It gives you the history of whisky in Scotland and tells you a bit about how it is made. At the end you get to taste a 'wee dram'. Very interesting.

Right off The Royal Mile to the south is the Museum of Scotland which is excellent. Also, I found Gladstones Land to be a great spot. It really helped to understand what is was like before New Town. Pam

We used Bill Hill last summer. Enjoyed him immensely.
http://www.edinburghtourguide.co.uk/

Just off the royal Mile is the small statue of Greyfriars Bobby.