Royal Mile, Main street in Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Royal Mile is the principal thoroughfare running through Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting the castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse and lined with stone buildings on both sides. The street slopes gradually upward and passes through several intersecting closes and small squares along the way.
The Royal Mile originally formed the principal connection between the castle and the royal palace, shaped by centuries of commercial and residential development along its path. The street received its current name only in the early 1900s and has retained this designation ever since.
The Royal Mile has long served as the gathering place where merchants, craftspeople, and citizens conducted their daily affairs in Edinburgh. Today you can still sense this lived-in character as locals and visitors pass through the narrow corridor between historic buildings.
The street is easily walked on foot, with clear pathways and many spots to rest along the way. Wear proper footwear since the surface is uneven and the slope increases as you progress upward.
The street rises noticeably from its lower end to its upper end, creating a steady slope that you feel as you walk. This natural incline has always shaped how buildings were constructed along the path.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
