Tales of the Royal Mile: Lawnmarket & Castlehill – An Honest Review

Right, so you’re maybe thinking about strolling down the Royal Mile, specifically the Lawnmarket and Castlehill sections, aren’t you? It’s almost the beating heart of Edinburgh, so that is, brimming with history, stories, and, too, probably a fair few tourists. I thought I would jot down a review to, well, offer some personal thoughts. It’s pretty much a walk every tourist will take, it can be awesome. I thought it may be useful for you, particularly to assist prepare if you’re going. My experiences – good, less good, the in-between bits, I mean.

A Walk Through Time

The Lawnmarket, you see, that stretches down from Edinburgh Castle, really feels like stepping back in time. You could just picture market stalls, lively chatter, maybe a bit of haggling going on – or at least, that’s very much what my imagination conjures up. You know, it’s hard not to think about all the events these very cobblestones have seen. What really makes it, that is, I think, are the buildings. Many look very much like they are practically unchanged. To be honest, wandering along, peeking into shops selling woolen stuff, shortbread, all the usual bits and pieces, so, I could almost forget what year it actually was.

The Views, Though

I mean, OK, there’s loads of shops, but don’t miss the views! The vistas down towards the lower parts of the Royal Mile, that is, and over to the New Town, that is really something special. Castlehill itself, very near to the castle entrance, also offers some really brilliant viewpoints, and that could be an awesome way to sort of catch your breath after maybe a bit of an uphill climb.

Storytelling and Street Performers

One thing you will see is the street performers. You do get a mix. Very talented musicians, bagpipers (of course), living statues. In the summer, you can very much find the area positively buzzing. It’s basically like an impromptu open-air theater, and yet the shows, like your buskers, and the storytellers bring the history, that is, and folklore to life. Now, some are brilliant, some, well, aren’t quite so, still, they all contribute to that lively feeling that the Royal Mile has.

Shopping: Tourist Goldmine or Authentic Treasure?

Shopping could be, alright, well, it could be a bit tricky on the Royal Mile. You are sure to see a heap of tourist shops. Lots of tartan scarves, shortbread tins, and toy Nessie monsters. That’s absolutely fine, and I will not yuck on peoples yums. Yet, that said, there are also gems to be found, is that right? If you peek away into the closes (the little alleyways), that are leading off the main street, so you just may well uncover smaller shops. And too, these often have genuinely local crafts and things from Scotland. The trick may be, so, to do a bit of digging.

Crowds: Planning is Very Much Key

Right, so here’s the honest bit. The crowds. It does get VERY busy, you see, especially in the summer, during the Fringe Festival, is that right? To navigate, you know, at times it can test your patience. Basically, you need to be prepared to deal with that. Basically, going early in the day, is that right?, or perhaps later in the evening can definitely help dodge the worst of it. The off-season, very similar to autumn or spring, so is potentially a far nicer experience. Just very simply less people.

Food and Drink: Something for Very Much Everyone

When you start to feel a little peckish, well, the Royal Mile is absolutely not short of places to eat. Everything from fancy restaurants offering contemporary Scottish cuisine to very, very cozy pubs selling classic pub meals is to be found. There is always, I mean, loads of cafes for a fast coffee and a pastry. Give the local stuff a go, right? Haggis, neeps, and tatties can be pretty delightful, and Cullen skink soup is pretty warming on a chilly day.

The Royal Mile: Is It Very Much Worth It?

Basically, absolutely. Is that right? The Royal Mile, especially the Lawnmarket and Castlehill, so is so much more than simply a street, I feel. The amount of history, the stories sort of seeping out of the walls. And there is almost a definite buzz in the air. You may have to push through tourists, and perhaps ignore a kitschy souvenir shop or two. You can find bits of the city’s true heart and soul though.

Edinburgh Castle is amazing, so are the shops, food places, but most of all it is walking down a bit of history. Too, it is a good way to understand more of the city.

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