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.
Location: City of Edinburgh
Length: 1,814 m
Address: Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
Website: https://visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/royal-mile-and-grassmarket-p918401
GPS coordinates: 55.95056,-3.18556
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Scotland offers photographers a wide range of landscapes and historical sites. This collection includes coastal formations like Bow Fiddle Rock and Sandwood Bay, medieval fortresses such as Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, and mountains and glens like Glencoe and the Cairngorms. On the Isle of...
Edinburgh sits on volcanic rock, with its castle overlooking a medieval street that runs down to a royal palace. The Old Town preserves buildings from centuries past, while the New Town displays Georgian architecture in wide streets and elegant squares. Museums hold collections from Scottish...
John Knox House
30 m
Museum of Childhood
25 m
Moubray House
26 m
St Patrick's Church
104 m
Scottish Storytelling Centre
59 m
Carrubbers Christian Centre
39 m
Scottish Storytelling Centre
41 m
Chalmer's Close, (between High Street And Jeffrey Street), Trinity College Church Apse
50 m
Edinburgh, High Street, Netherbow Wellhead
19 m
Edinburgh, 2 Jeffrey Street
98 m
Edinburgh, 3, 5, 7 And 9 Jeffrey Street
64 m
Edinburgh, 2 - 8 High Street
75 m
Edinburgh, 12, 14, 16 And 18 Jeffrey Street
101 m
Edinburgh, 3, 5 St Mary's Street
79 m
Edinburgh, 1 - 5 High Street
65 m
55, 57, 59, 61 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh
104 m
Edinburgh, 39 Jeffrey Street
72 m
Edinburgh, High Street, Chalmer's Close, K6 Telephone Kiosks
8 m
Edinburgh, 17, 19, 21 And 23 Jeffrey Street
76 m
Edinburgh, 2 St Mary's Street
102 m
Edinburgh, 16 High Street
58 m
Edinburgh, 127 - 129 High Street
80 m
Hope's Court
57 m
Edinburgh, 33, 35 And 37 Jeffrey Street
74 m
Edinburgh, 25, 27, 29 And 31 Jeffrey Street
68 m
Edinburgh, 11, 13 And 15 Jeffrey Street
75 m
Railings And Pier, Vaults, Wall, Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh
97 m
Edinburgh, 4, 6, 8 And 10 Jeffrey Street
97 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes