The Royal Mile
Created | Updated Apr 14, 2002
Otherwise known as High Street, the Royal Mile extends from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Attempts have been made to retain the historical atmosphere of this street, hence it remains cobbled, and there are tight restrictions on the way buildings in the area are constructed. You can still find the occasional red telephone box on the Royal Mile. Situated as it is right in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, the Royal Mile attracts tourists all year round who enjoy the diverse range of shops and cafes that can be found along the length of the road and often indulge in one of the many ghost/dungeon tours that take you down into the mediaeval vaults and tunnels that lie deep underneath the Royal Mile and the surrounding area. Given its location between the two Royal residences, the road has witnessed many historic ceremonies over the centuries, the most recent being the return of the Stone of Scone (re. Stone of Destiny). There will soon be another ceremony of note which the Mile will experience - the opening of the new Scottish Parliament.
