Edinburgh: the Two-Hour Tour

Tony Brotherton

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Here is the essential quick tour of Edinburgh's highlights for the tourist who's pushed for time. You can complete this walk in two hours, unless of course you wish actually to enter the castle, the palace, the cathedral or the art galleries you pass. You can browse in the many shops you encounter, stop for a meal (of haggis, neeps and tatties and a wee dram perhaps? Other menus are available), or watch the pipers or other entertainers met en route.

The walk is graded moderate because of its many steps up and down. Starting at Waverley Station, the route takes you via Canongate to The Queen's Gallery and beyond to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Next comes the High Street and St Giles' Cathedral, passing City Chambers, underneath which lies the entombed Mary King's Close. Then it's off to pay your respects to Greyfriars Bobby, followed by a poke around Grassmarket. Now it's up the several steps to Edinburgh Castle, back down Castlehill and round to the National Gallery of Scotland and so into Princes Street Gardens. Lastly comes a visit to the New Town and Charlotte Square, where at Number 7 there is the chance to view a Georgian interior. Your mini-tour ends with a return to the shops and stores, including Jenner's, the 'Harrods of the North', plus the Scott Memorial, along Princes Street en route to Waverley.

Information for Dog Owners: 'Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all' (see inscription on Greyfriars Bobby's grave).

Scotland - Central Scotland - Edinburgh - Town or city

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Industrial Archaeology, Museum, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife