Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Royal Mile Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Royal Mile

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Alex K.

    What's the first thing that pops into your head when you hear Royal Mile.... If you know Edinburgh, then you know it's here that lies the fame Edinburgh Castle. At the top of the cobble stones sits the majestic castle that's a staple to Scotland. If you haven't been it's great to check it out. Purchase tickets ahead of time as they do sell out and are limited everyday. But if you can't make it, you'll still hear the canons being shot often from up there. The views are amazing from top looking out to the new town and even the waterfront. Plenty of souvenirs shops along the mile. They tend to caters to the holiday makers as locals tends to have their regular spots that they go to. There's loads of restaurants as well as hotels pretty much near the mile. Just over the over side you have old town where more of the gothic building are. To the other end is new town where you'll have the fancier designer shopping as well as the bigger more fancier dining. Plus loads of the bigger upscale hotels are located there. Edinburgh Waverley train station is nearby. It's a staples of Scotland where yearly it brings people. No matter what the wether is like, it'll alway brings holidays makers out to enjoy. During the summer months of August, the streets are line with performers as well as loads of show. That's the month of the Fringe Festival. One of the biggest attractions during the summer. There's also plenty of whiskey tasting which they're known for. Tons of tours that's will actually show you around the area more. Scotland is beautiful and there's loads to see. It's not just green...

    Royal Mile_Yelp_Sanju-3
    Sanjay G.

    The Royal Mile is one of the most iconic streets in Edinburgh's Old Town. This succession of streets connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse [the official residence of the King in Scotland]. The total distance between the two royal residences is exactly one mile, giving the street its name in the 16th century. There's no better introduction to Edinburgh than a walk straight down the spine of its old town. Stretching from a hill-topping castle to a royal palace, this ramble is appropriately called the Royal Mile. Despite being crammed with tourists and kitschy shops, it's also lined with some of the city's top sights. Look closer and you'll notice narrow lanes leading to tiny squares, where you'll find a few rough edges surviving from the area's medieval heyday The Royal Mile comprises several streets - Esplanade, Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, Parliament Square, High Street and Canongate. The history of the Royal Mile dates back to the 12th century when Edinburgh was a small town surrounding the castle. The road that connected the castle to the town became known as the High Street. Here are some of the top attractions on Edinburgh's Royal Mile: Edinburgh Castle St Giles' Cathedral The Real Mary King's Close The Scotch Whisky Experience The Palace of Holyroodhouse The Museum of Edinburgh The Writers' Museum The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh's Royal Mile is also known for its lively pub scene.

    Laura R.

    Great time walking for hours through the Royal Mile in the center of Edinburgh Scotland. Prices at the restaurants in the area were surprisingly cheap. A big kettle of fresh mussels were only £8 but the whiskey was pricey. The gothic churches and buildings lining the sides of the Royal Mile with black or brown cobblestone roads was an incredible sight.

    The Royal Mile in Canongate
    Karen V.

    It's the Royal Mile that starts at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and ends at the castle. It's not really a street name, but named for the stretch of connecting roads. In other words, Abbey Strand leads into Canongate, and then that road turns into High Street and then Lawnmarket, and so on. It will all make sense on that walk up to Castlehill. It's a fun place to be. There are so many sights to see along the way along with some very famous closes. It's no wonder why so many films are shot in this area. It's like stepping back into time, only there are modern day shops & restaurants all along it that bring you back into modern times. I think some of the notable and recognizable places would be Canongate Kirk, Parliament Square, Netherbow Port, The World's End, and Lawnmarket Square near the Upper Bow steps that takes you down to the Victoria Terrace overlooking Victoria Street. There's also entertainment along this mile long stretch. It's very common to see someone playing the bagpipes. We even heard the playing of a violin in front of the Edinburgh City Chambers. The whole area is said to be more lively during festivals with street performances. We had a great time exploring it on a lovely (but wet) November day. The rain even stopped in time for our walking tour. We couldn't have planned it any better.

    The Hub
    Frank F.

    The Royal Mile -- what can I say? You'll end up there because it leads to the castle. It's very touristy and, in my opinion, a bit tacky, but it's worth walking to take in the surrounding streets and views -- those are much nicer. There are some great spots in the area to explore, so take a stroll, enjoy the atmosphere, but don't linger too long. Saluti

    Howard L.

    This is THE vibrant main commercial street in Edinburgh and equivalent to Chicago's Magnificent Mile, or Manhattan's 5th Ave, or New Orleans' Bourbon St. Unlike those US main drags though, the commercial activity here is about 600 years old. The formal street name of the main street it runs along is Canongate and it runs east-west in the Old Town with Holyrood Palace on its east end and Edinburgh Castle on its west end. The mile is lined with shops, restaurants, public houses, and attractions, and any major Scottish retailer and a bunch of others will be found along the route. There are several shortish perpendicular streets that intersect it along the way, and those streets are also considered part of the Royal Mile, so it's all really a shopping district. If you're an Edinburgh tourist, you will end up walking along the Royal Mile sooner or later!

    Sunil R.

    This the main stretch in Edinburgh and a must visit when you are here. It does get packed so be ready for throngs of people. There is so much to see and do here including the Edinburgh Castle on one end and scores of other historic sites all the way through. It was fun to watch the street performers doing their thang here as well.

    Calm on the evening of Friday 5 July 2019.
    Tanis L.

    The Royal Mile is an open corridor through part of Edinburgh lined with sites such as historical landmarks and buildings, shops, restaurants, and depending on the time of day and year street musicians. I walked through the mile a few times towards the beginning of my heritage travel trip to Scotland in July 2019 and found it quiet in the morning (6 July) and the evening (5 July). When I came full circle back to Edinburgh on 18 July, traffic was picking up - entering the thick of peak season. I utilized a handful of different businesses, watched bagpipers play, and observed some of the landmarks such as the telephone boxes/booths and the City Chambers. Fun place to go with specific tasks in mind or just meandering.

    View west from above
    Christina R.

    We stayed at one end of the Royal Mile by the Palace of Holyrood House. It was pretty nice to be able to walk to a lot of the things we wanted to do whilst in Edinburgh via this road. Now, do know that going east towards Edinburgh Castle is a slight uphill trek, but there are a lot of things to see and do while walking. It is a working street so watch out for cars and such. We saw too many tourists not caring about where they walk and deliver vans seeming to not care there are people in the streets. There is a lot to do on this street and most of it is suuuper touristy but it's an experience.

    The Royal Mile
    Maria P.

    Edinburgh's Royal Mile is one of the most famous streets in the world and a must see for all when in Edinburgh. Established in 1500, its name comes from its tradition as a processional route for kings and queens for the last 500 years. The street is actually a little over a mile, but connects Edinburgh Castle at the very top end and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. It is in Old Town, the historic heart of the city, and is best explored on foot. The Royal Mile is home to many restaurants, bars, and shops, and a number of attractions. Many historic buildings remain including Gladstone's Land, The Writers' Museum, and the Museum of Edinburgh. You'll find St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile as well. You can easily spend a whole day here exploring the main street as well as the closes that connect other streets to the Royal Mile. I highly recommend joining a walking tour or even a bus tour to get your bearings on the city and learn it's deep, rich history!

    Sara G.

    Like Bourbon street in Nola or Beale street in Memphis. Home of distilleries, cafes, shops, restaurants, and tons of bagpipe playing. Grab a coffee and walk. Definitely stop for a whisky (spelled without an E here).

    Alexander H.

    Last time in Edinburgh we came here for a walk. Loved it. So naturally we came back this time around. There was a festival going on in town. And the streets were packed. And the Royal Mile so much that there really wasn't a chance to walk. People squeezing, pushing, rushing. No fun at all. Shop entrances blocked with people standing in the streets. There was just no way to enjoy any of it or to do a little shopping. Of course, the Royal Mile is a must-do for visitors. Especially for first timers. And with less people we would have stayed and enjoyed it as well. As we did before a few years ago. But this time we just stayed a few minutes and left due to the overcrowded streets. Surely some spots worth checking out if you arrive on a quiet day: Castlehill and Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience, Tolbooth Kirk or the mighty St. Giles Cathedral. We'll check the Royal Mile again next time in Edinburgh of course. Maybe we get lucky.

    Aaron S.

    Perhaps one of the most famous streets in Edinburgh, The Royal Mile is the heart of the old town, stretching from Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament, all the way up to Edinburgh Castle, with St Giles' Cathedral on the way, the 1.81 km walk along the Royal Mile is certainly one of the most touristy things to do while in the Scottish capital, and actually works out just over a mile. The buildings along the mile, make me think I'm not even in the UK anymore, it's a traditional old town-style street, you don't see much of here anymore, and it's just a relatively nice atmosphere. It can get quite steep and hilly at its peak, so you may want to take a couple of breaks along the way, there are some shops and cafes along the Royal Mile, including a Starbucks, with more being located along side streets. It can get very busy during major events or tourist season, so might not always be the most comfortable or magical walk that it could be, but a must-do on a trip to Scotland. 4*

    See all

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daren R.
    4993
    3694
    29491

    4 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sanjay G.
    616
    1585
    21941

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sunil R.
    1133
    10539
    36635

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tanis L.
    283
    1057
    6366

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Maria P.
    1026
    858
    13194

    4 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara G.
    222
    1720
    3274

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Aaron S.
    1035
    3948
    14329

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 74
    Thanks 0
    Love this 75
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jason G.
    4677
    3625
    8861

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Charley K.
    47
    162
    85

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anton K.
    45
    770
    4810

    6 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hannah S.
    657
    1153
    24895

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa R.
    51
    535
    400

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yoda B.
    0
    132
    167

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Drew B.
    2424
    1002
    9360

    9 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Great vibe, great shops and good food. It can get crowded but this is the place to be when visiting Edinburgh!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Royal Mile Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Royal Mile

    During the night you are still drawn to it as the lights shine upon the amazing Edinburgh Castle.

    Mentioned in 39 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Landmarks & Historical Buildings 144 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Greyfriars Bobby - Selfying with the statue while touching nose for good luck.

    Greyfriars Bobby

    4.3(95 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town

    Very busy bar. Indoor & outdoor seating. Hostess will seat you inside to the left or first come,…read morefirst serve seating to the right and outside. The staff was friendly. Full bar to include local gin and beer offerings. Good menu. The pie was great as was the beer and gin we had. Traditional decor inside. It's definitely worth coming in for just a pint or staying for a meal.

    Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Located just in front of…read morethe entrance to the Greyfriars Kirk can be found the bronze statue of Bobby. Hundreds of fans flock here every day to pay their respects, all eager to get a closer look at their doggy hero. History and why it is famous- and trust me guys, he is inthe same league as Hachi- Bobby, born in 1856, was a Terrier who spent over 14 years guarding the grave of his beloved owner. John - a dedicated nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police Force - carried out his duties with his trusty companion night after night. After John's untimely death in 1858, Bobby refused to leave his master's grave until the day he died himself. The rumours about this little dog began to spread far and wide, and Bobby soon had quite the fan base. In 1867, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presented him with his very own collar. This gesture signified that Bobby was a licensed dog, meaning that he was protected against the new law that had recently been enforced, which stated that all unlicensed dogs would be destroyed. Bobby passed away in January 1872, and as a final token of his loyalty, was buried close to his master in the Kirkyard. A granite fountain with a statue can be found opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard - a permanent memorial to this faithful pup. Bobby's grave can be found immediately inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. He was buried close to his much-loved John, ensuring that the pair's astonishing bond would never be broken. It is not uncommon for doting visitors to leave sticks, dog toys, and flowers on his grave.

    Photos
    Greyfriars Bobby - Greyfriars Bobby Statue_Yelp_Sanju-8

    Greyfriars Bobby Statue_Yelp_Sanju-8

    Greyfriars Bobby - Bar shirt

    Bar shirt

    Greyfriars Bobby - Statue by Bobby's grave

    See all

    Statue by Bobby's grave

    Advocate's Close - Loved this shot with Sir Walter Scott Monument peeping out

    Advocate's Close

    4.6(9 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Town, Royal Mile

    It's just one of many interesting closes along the Royal Mile. This one is named after the Lord…read moreAdvocate's House. The house of Sir James Stewart used to be at the lower end the stairs near Cockburn St. It's literally steps away from the Supreme Courts building in Parliament Square. Well, about 70 steps up. Today, it's more of a shortcut between Market Street and the Royal Mile. The best feature of Advocate's Close is actually the perfectly framed view of the Scott Monument through the archway. You'll also see how high you are on the hill when walking up or down this steep & worn set of stairs. Hopefully they will add handrails to it one day like others that we've seen throughout the city. I mean, they don't call them "Death Stairs" for nothing. Oh, and theres's a very popular gastropub called the Devil's Advocate near the bottom of the steps. We didn't get to visit it, but it came highly recommended. It's just another reason to visit it.

    Edinburgh is riddled with closes and Advocate's Close is a fine example of these narrow lanes that…read moreconnect streets throughout and behind the Royal Mile. The tall buildings that line the path give many closes a canyon-like feel with many of them sloping steeply down from the Royal Mile. It's like walking into the underground! Advocate's Close is particularly popular with tourists and I can see why. At the top, it offers a beautiful peek-a-boo view of the Sir Walter Scott Monument in the distance and some of Edinburgh's central buildings. Walk all the way down and it connects you to Cockburn Street below. Definitely try walking through a close or two as they are great shortcuts to get from one street to another along the Royal Mile.

    Photos
    Advocate's Close - Looking down towards Cockburn St.

    Looking down towards Cockburn St.

    Advocate's Close - Viewing the Scott Monument from Advocate's Close

    Viewing the Scott Monument from Advocate's Close

    Advocate's Close - Advocate's Close

    See all

    Advocate's Close

    Calton Hill - Calton Hill Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-5

    Calton Hill

    4.7(153 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    We walked out of our hotel and right up the stairs and hill to one of the best scenic viewpoints of…read morethe city. Each way was a different vibe. It was a great time to think about the history of what was before you and all around. Many of the buildings are hundreds of years old so it creates an interesting atmosphere. I would highly recommend coming here. On one side is a cafe but we didn't go in. It was busy. Tons of trails and some dogs. We spotted a few off leash so keep that in mind I didn't see any trash on the grounds which was refreshing although there was a touch of graffiti.

    Calton Hill offers arguably one of the best views across Edinburgh's city centre. From here, you…read morecan see most of the city, Arthurs Seat, and of course the castle. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and you'll be treated to awesome views of the castle in the distance. Calton Hill was formed over 340 million years ago. It has a huge history from the prehistoric era to today. It was originally a hill fort in ancient times, then King James II of Scotland granted the lands to Edinburgh in 1456. Calton Hill sits just off Leith Street near Edinburgh's popular commercial area. Like many of the parks in the area, it's free to enter so you won't need to reach into your wallet for this one. If you're looking for some of the best views in Edinburgh then make sure you spend some time here. There's also an art gallery up on Calton Hill and an unfinished national monument so there's plenty to see! If you only have time to visit one viewpoint in the city, let this be it. It's a fantastic place to watch the sunset or see the breathtaking views.

    Photos
    Calton Hill - Calton Hill Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-3

    Calton Hill Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-3

    Calton Hill
    Calton Hill - Calton Hill Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-14

    See all

    Calton Hill Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-14

    Sir Walter Scott Monument - Scott Monument_Yelp_Sanju-6

    Sir Walter Scott Monument

    4.7(55 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town

    Standing just over 200ft (61m) high, and known as the Gothic Rocket, the Scott Monument is often…read moremistaken for a church - understandably, perhaps - and dominates the view of the eastern section of New Town along Princes Street. Following Scott's death in 1832 the people of Edinburgh decided that a monument should be built in memory of one of Scotland's best-loved literary figures. At the time he was probably the most widely read British author of the era. The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world. some data says, its 2nd largest though. This is especially fitting, given that Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature, having been home to many notable writers, such Scott, Burns, Stevenson, Conan Doyle and many more! There are 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside.

    This gothic monument to the famous Scottish writer (Sir Walter Scott) is so dark and mysterious…read morelooking during the day. It's an even better view at night when it's all lit up. It kind of makes you wonder what it actually looked like before it soaked up "auld reekie's" pollution back in the 19th century. In a way, the black soot actually gives it more character. It's also a nice contrast with the white Carrara marble statue of the writer. Do you see his dog (named Maida) laying to the right of him? So cute! So, if you can actually see the outer architectural details then you're in for a treat. It stands at 200 feet tall and has about 64 statues that represent some of the most notable characters in his novels. To be honest, I was more impressed with the gargoyles. We didn't attempt to go inside to climb up to the top of it, but many pay to do that. I'm sure it's a nice view. The courtyard surrounding it was being decorated for Remembrance Day celebrations. I loved seeing all the crosses and red poppies around it. It's definitely a must see monument, and certainly one that you're going to eventually pass by at some point during your stay in Edinburgh.

    Photos
    Sir Walter Scott Monument - Victorian Gothic masterpiece

    Victorian Gothic masterpiece

    Sir Walter Scott Monument - Gorgeous when it's not raining

    Gorgeous when it's not raining

    Sir Walter Scott Monument - The stone masonry and carvings up close is amazing

    See all

    The stone masonry and carvings up close is amazing

    Edinburgh Castle - St. Margaret's Chapel - Oldest building in Edinburgh (1100s) ...

    Edinburgh Castle

    4.4(621 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town, Royal Mile

    Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors…read moreeach year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the 'Honours of Scotland' - Britain's oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city's skyline, visible from miles around, it's also the feature which gives the city its name -- the old Gaelic name translates roughly as 'the fort on the hill'. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle's sights and attractions, you'll need much more than two hours... especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret's Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert's Churchyard, The Vennel

    Interesting place to visit but I would recommend getting tickets early and not depend upon a tour…read moregroup wi to a guide. We did this just to get in. Guide was knowledgeable for the most part but basically dumped us in the castle which was fine. We stayed until they ran us out and roamed freely and saw everything. It's incredible how something like this is still standing. We thought it was awesome and if in Edinburgh you must see it.

    Photos
    Edinburgh Castle - Gifts available at several gift shops

    Gifts available at several gift shops

    Edinburgh Castle - This is the tea room at Edinburgh Castle.

    This is the tea room at Edinburgh Castle.

    Edinburgh Castle - Crown Jewels plaza

    See all

    Crown Jewels plaza

    Greyfriars Kirkyard - Love all the old carvings

    Greyfriars Kirkyard

    4.6(34 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town

    Visiting the kirkyard at nighttime is such a creepy experience. We decided to do it on our own,…read morewhich meant that we were completely unaware of the ghosts that are said to haunt this place. I didn't know about "Bloody MacKenzie" until our tour guide told us how brave we were for going at night. Did you know that this poltergeist attacks people at night? I had no idea. I think we even passed by his crypt when we were lost trying to find Tom Riddell's grave. It's super dark in there. Here's a little hint when trying to find the grave that is said to be JK Rowling's inspiration for the dark wizard in Harry Potter. Your GPS will take you to the part of the wall facing the church. Apparently, it happens to everyone because there is a sign at that point telling you that Tom Riddell is actually on the other side of the wall. Trying to find the pathway at night that leads you to that side of the kirkyard is the tricky part. There are many walking ghost tours that will take you here, but it was quite the experience discovering it on our own. Don't miss seeing the Greyfriars Bobby grave & memorial. It's at the main entrance to the kirkyard in front of the church. We didn't see it right away since we entered from a side entrance. I love that people are placing broken tree limbs in front of this famous Skye Terrier's grave. Doggies love to play with sticks. It's said that the doggie ghost is still seen around his master's grave (John Gray). There's a sign with the names of notable people of Edinburgh that are buried there. I'm speculating that the poltergeist may have taken his anger out on it. The sign has a few chunks of wood missing. There just happens to be a deep scratch mark by his real name, Sir George MacKenzie. How creepy is that? We didn't get to visit the church due to an evening service. I believe the museum and gift shop is open to visitors as well. It was great just to explore around it. It was a fun evening in a kirkyard!

    Come for the Tom Riddell grave but stay for the beauty. A wonderfully gothic church and graveyard…read morehide in plain sight in the heart of Edinburgh. Don't miss it!

    Photos
    Greyfriars Kirkyard - Top of large tomb

    Top of large tomb

    Greyfriars Kirkyard - Greyfriar chapel, public bathroom inside

    Greyfriar chapel, public bathroom inside

    Greyfriars Kirkyard - Greyfriars Kirk    Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-4

    See all

    Greyfriars Kirk Edinburgh_Yelp_Sanju-4

    Royal Mile - landmarks - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...