Edinburgh: New Town, Old Town and Dean Village

Here is your essential capital city guide.

Stroll through Edinburgh's New Town, completed in 1805, to appreciate its spacious layout and elegant architecture, then enjoy a tranquil interlude along the Water of Leith before returning to the Old Town, sauntering down The Royal Mile and scaling Calton Hill for expansive views over the city and the Firth of Forth. Return is made to the New Town via York Place and St Andrew Square. This anticlockwise circuit of a little under six miles will allow the visitor to appreciate the contrasts and absorb the vibrant atmosphere of Scotland's inspiring capital city, 'the Athens of the North'.

'Beautiful city of Edinburgh!
Where the tourist can drown his sorrow
By viewing your monuments and statues fine
During the lovely summer-time.
I'm sure it will his spirits cheer
As Sir Walter Scott's monument he draws near,
That stands in East Princes Street
Amongst flowery gardens, fine and neat.
And Edinburgh castle is magnificent to be seen
With its beautiful walks and trees so green,
Which seems like a fairy dell;
And near by its rocky basement is St Margaret's Well,
Where the tourist can drink at when he feels dry,
And view the castle from beneath so very high,
Which seems almost towering to the sky.
Then as for Nelson's monument that stands on the Calton hill,
As the tourist gazes thereon, with wonder his heart does fill
As he thinks on Admiral Nelson who did the Frenchmen kill'.
(et cetera)

So wrote the incomparable McGonagall! (1830-1902).

Scotland - Central Scotland - Edinburgh - Town or city

Walkingworld members near this walk

Walk id: 6220

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

5.6 Miles

Height gain

200 Metres

Duration

2 Hours 35 Mins

Average rating

Rated by 0 members

Dog rated by 0 members