Itinerary 1
ITINERARY 1: THE MEADOWS, GEORGE SQUARE THE VENNEL, GRASSMARKET AND THE CASTLE
It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Castle from 3 Sciennes Road. This route takes slightly more than twice the time but it takes in some of the scenic highlights of Edinburgh on the way.
If you have arrived at Sciennes Road in the afternoon, this is perhaps a good itinerary to start with and save Itinerary 2 and 3 for the following day.
1. George Square and Simpson Loan
As you head towards George Square, take in the contemporary developments on the northern edge of the Meadows.
Today, Simpson Loan and Quartermile areas are prominent parts of Edinburgh’s urban landscape, combining a spectacularly successful blend of historic architecture with modern development. Historically part of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the areas blends Victorian-era medical buildings with sleek modern apartments, offices, and retail spaces.
George Square
George Square was planned in 1766 by architect James Brown, and at the time represented the most ambitious new development yet attempted in the city. As a precursor to the New Town, the square offered an exclusive setting for Edinburgh’s professional classes. Sir Walter Scott’s father, a prominent lawyer, was one of the first to have a house built there. The whole area immediately around George Square is worth exploring if you have the time and the inclination.
There are 8 plaques celebrating prominent figures who studied at Edinburgh University. As you walk round the square, how many can you find?
See if you can find the house of the author of series of famous detective novels. It should be “elementary”. Then do the same for the author of Treasure Island.
https://www.allaboutedinburgh.co.uk/george-square-edinburgh
See if you can find and then navigate the labyrinth in George Square Gardens. Start at the entrance and go, if possible, to the centre.
Simpson Loan and Quatermile Area
Fusion of the old and the modern. (You might want to contrast this with the brutalist concrete building to be found on George Square).
From the Quatermile area to The Grassmarket
Heriot Place to the Vennel Steps
At the end of Nightingale Way, when you come to Lauriston Place, go a little to your right and find the entrance to George Heriot’s School:
Although the school building is remarkable in its own right as an example of the Scottish Renaissance architecture of the seventeenth century, much of Edinburgh’s history has now been subjected to an intensive JKRowlingisation. The school’s main claim to fame internationally today is that Joanne Rowling sent her own children to this (expensive) fee paying school, reputed to be an inspiration for Hogwarts.
4.3 on Tripadvisor:
Then head to The Vennel steps to discover one of the more unusual vantage points of Edinburgh Castle.
The Flodden Wall was built after the disastorous defeat of the Scottish army at Flodden in the early sixteenth century. Designed to prevent hostile attack from foreign forces (the English), it prevented the horizontal expansion of the Old Town (not unlike the insular nature of Manhattan) and hence the vertiginous upwards construction of the Old Town.
The Vennel is an old Scottish term. Testament to the fact, no doubt, that Scotland and France had a close relationship and a mutual defence pact from the end of the 13th century to the middle of the 16th century (the auld alliance), The word originates from the French word ‘Venelle’ for a narrow lane or passage between buildings.
2. THE GRASSMARKET
Go into the Grassmarket and see if you can find the spot where public hangings were organised until the middle of the eighteenth century or where the condemned were, reputedly, provided with a last drink before being hanged. If not see where one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh is to be found. The pub has the name of an animal found on moors and woods.
Perhaps take the time to have a coffee and take in a well preserved Medieval market place. The architecture might remind you of one or other of the North Sea or Baltic ports on the continent.
This is a website that gives you much of the information that you might want:
https://edinburgh.org/neighbourhoods/grassmarket/things-to-do-in-the-grassmarket/
3. FROM HERE CARRY ON UP VICTORIA STREET
4. FROM THE GRASSMARKET TO THE CASTLE ESPLANADE
a) Climb the steps to the terrace above Victoria Street for stunning views of the city, including George Heriot’s School, which is believed to have inspired Hogwarts in Harry Potter (but then again, there is hardly a place in Edinburgh that has not inspired something in the Harry Potter series). (There is a specialist tour here:
b) From Victoria Terrace above, see if you can find the steps up to the High Street
Walk up Upper Bow to the High Street
5. Top of the High Street to the Castle Esplanade
Go up Upper Bow to get to the top of the High Street.
See if you can find the witches well before going up to the Esplanade.
The large distinctive building next to the castle esplanade here is Ramsay Garden, a housing development which started as the home of Allan Ramsay in the eighteenth century. See if you can find the panel featuring an angel’s face, with a quote from the “national poet” Robert Burns beneath it.
You will not be able to miss the great views of the New Town from the Esplanade. If ever you are there at 13.00, listen out for the gunshot.