Edinburgh Orientation Tour for Guides

Princes Street Gardens have a long and interesting history

Today the gardens are a beautiful green space in the centre of Edinburgh, but many years ago this area looked very different. In the Middle Ages, there was a large lake here called the Nor’ Loch. The people of Edinburgh used the lake for protection, as it helped defend the Old Town from enemies. However, it was also used as a smuggling route and to dump waste. The water was dirty and unhealthy, and by the 18th century the city decided to drain it.

When the water was removed, the land became free to use. In the early 19th century, the space was changed into public gardens. The gardens were designed as a quiet place for people to walk, relax, and enjoy nature. Over time, more paths, trees, and flowerbeds were added.

Today, Princes Street Gardens are one of the most popular places in the city. They sit between the Old Town and the New Town, with amazing views of Edinburgh Castle on the hill above. The gardens are also home to important monuments, such as the Scott Monument, which celebrates the writer Sir Walter Scott.

So as we walk through the gardens, remember that this peaceful place was once a dark, cold, smelly lake—and now it's one of Edinburgh's most famed beauty spots. 

Questions for students:

• What is a 'Loch?'

• How many main streets meet here?

The street is about one mile long, which is why we call it the “Royal Mile.” It connects two very special places: Edinburgh Castle at the top and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. For many centuries, this street was the main road of the Old Town.

The Royal Mile began to grow in the Middle Ages. People built tall houses, shops, and narrow side streets called closes. These closes were very busy and full of life. Many different kinds of people lived here—rich and poor, merchants, travellers, and even royalty.

Because the Royal Mile connected the castle and the palace, Scottish kings and queens used it often. Important events such as parades, celebrations, and royal visits took place here. It was the centre of political and social life in the city.

Over time, the Royal Mile changed. New buildings were added, and old ones were repaired. Today the street is famous for its history, its traditional shops, its street performers, and its beautiful old buildings. As you walk along the Royal Mile, you are walking through hundreds of years of Edinburgh’s past.

Questions for students:

• What smells or sights do you notice?

• What would you like to try from the market?

Victoria Street is one of the most colourful and charming streets in Edinburgh, but it is also quite young compared to many other streets in the Old Town.

It was built in the 1830s as part of a plan to make the city easier to move around. Before this, the area was a maze of tiny, crowded lanes. The city decided to create a new curved street to help traffic flow from George IV Bridge down to the Grassmarket.

The street was named after Queen Victoria, who became queen in 1837. Its unique shape and design were very modern for the time. The tall buildings, curved road, and split-level shops made the street look different from the older parts of the Old Town.

Over the years, Victoria Street became known for its independent shops, such as bookshops, clothes stores, and places selling local crafts. Today it is one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh. Many visitors love the colourful shop fronts and the views down to the historic Grassmarket.

Some people also say that Victoria Street helped inspire Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books, although this has never been officially confirmed. Still, the street’s magical atmosphere makes it easy to imagine!

Questions for students:

• What shape is the Radcliffe Camera?

• What do you think happens inside?

The Grassmarket is one of the oldest and most historic areas in Edinburgh.
It sits just below Edinburgh Castle and has been an important part of the city for many centuries. The name “Grassmarket” comes from the time when this area was used as a market for horses and cattle. Farmers came from the countryside to buy and sell animals, and the space was always busy and noisy.

From the 15th to the 18th century, the Grassmarket was also known as a place for public executions. Many people were hanged here, including famous figures like Maggie Dickson, who, according to legend, survived her execution and lived for many more years. Today, a small marker on the ground reminds visitors of this darker history.

Despite these dramatic stories, the Grassmarket was also a lively centre for trade, meetings, and celebrations. Inns, pubs, and shops grew around the square, serving travellers, soldiers, and local people. Its location at the foot of the castle made it an important point for trade routes coming into the city.

In more recent times, the Grassmarket has changed into a vibrant area full of cafés, restaurants, independent shops, and markets. The open space still feels like a gathering place, just as it was hundreds of years ago.

As we stand here today, we can enjoy the atmosphere while remembering that the Grassmarket has seen everything—from busy market days to dramatic historical events.

Questions for students:

• What kinds of crimes do you think would lead to execution? 

• Why do you think churches were important for universities?

In Greyfriars Kirkyard, you can find ancient graves, parts of The Flodden Wall, and maybe some Harry Potter characters ...

The Flodden Wall is one of Edinburgh’s old city walls, and it was built for protection. The wall was constructed in the early 1500s, after the Battle of Flodden in 1513. At this battle, Scotland suffered a great defeat, and King James IV was killed. People in Edinburgh were afraid that the English army might come to attack the city next, so they decided to make stronger defences. 

You will see metal bars around some of the graves, revealing the hisory of graverobbing. In the early 1800s, Edinburgh was famous for its medical schools—but this created a big problem. Doctors and students needed real bodies to study, but it was difficult to get enough for teaching. At that time, the law only allowed the bodies of criminals to be used. This meant there were not many available, and demand was very high.

Because of this, some people began to steal bodies from graveyards. These men were called “resurrectionists” or grave robbers. Graveyards like Greyfriars Kirkyard had to build high walls, watchtowers, and heavy iron cages called mortsafes to stop the robbers.

The most famous case is the story of Burke and Hare. Instead of digging up bodies, they murdered people and sold the bodies to Dr. Robert Knox, a well-known anatomist. Their crimes were discovered in 1828. Hare turned witness, and Burke was hanged for murder.

Greyfriars Kirkyard is Greyfriars Kirkyard is also famous for a much happier story: Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a small Skye terrier who, according to legend, stayed by his master’s grave for 14 years. Bobby became a symbol of loyalty, and his statue near the entrance is one of Edinburgh’s most popular sights.

Today, people visit Greyfriars Kirkyard to explore its old tombstones, learn its stories, and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Some visitors also come because they believe the kirkyard inspired names for characters in the Harry Potter books.

Give the students 15 minutes free time to find mortsafes and the names of Harry Potter characters; they should be able to find Tom Riddle, McGonagall & Moody

The Bridge of Sighs connects two parts of Hertford College. It looks like a bridge in Venice, Italy, but is unique to Oxford. The Sheldonian Theatre, built in the 1600s, is where students graduate and where concerts are held.

Fun fact: The Sheldonian was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who also built St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Bridge of Sighs is a favourite spot for photos, and you’ll often see students walking across it between classes. The Sheldonian Theatre is famous for its round shape and beautiful ceiling paintings. It’s a place full of excitement and tradition, especially during graduation ceremonies.

Questions for students:

• What does the Bridge of Sighs connect?

• What happens inside the Sheldonian Theatre?

The Scott Monument in Edinburgh is a 200-foot-tall Victorian Gothic structure in Princes Street Gardens, built between 1840 and 1844 to honor the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. It is the world's second-largest monument to a writer, featuring intricate carvings and 64 statues of characters from his novels. Visitors can climb 287 steps to a viewing platform for panoramic views of the city.  

Questions for students:

• Can you recognise any of the statues? 

• Can you name any other Scottish writers? 

Calton Hill It is a popular spot for tourists to enjoy a short walk to the summit, and it also serves as a venue for public events such as the Beltane Fire Festival. The hill's collection of monuments, inspired by ancient Greek architecture, has earned Edinburgh the nickname "Athens of the North".

You can finish the tour here, or ask if the group would like help finding buses home. If the group are staying in the centre for a while, you can point out St James' Quarter for good shopping opportunities