Royal Mile

　　    As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is about one Scottish mile in length. It begins at the iconic Edinburgh Castle and ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, connecting two major historic focal points of Scotland. Serving as the central thoroughfare of Edinburgh’s Old Town, it is also the busiest tourist street in the area—rivaled only by Princes Street in the New Town.

　　    The Royal Mile runs west to east and includes key streets such as Castle Esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, and Canongate. These main roads intertwine with surrounding lanes to form the core thoroughfares of the Old Town.

　　    Castle Esplanade was developed in the 19th century as a military parade ground and is now home to the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Castlehill Street is short and hosts the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. Lawnmarket was historically a linen market, but today it mainly consists of tourist shops. On its north side, the 17th-century tenement Gladstone’s Land has been preserved. The street ends at a major junction where it meets George IV Bridge (to the south) and Bank Street (to the north). Beyond that junction lies High Street—the city center and commercial heart of Edinburgh, much like main streets in other British cities. The final section, after the intersection with St. Mary’s Street, is called Canongate. Here, pedestrian traffic thins, and the surroundings feature mostly medieval buildings with a quaint, majestic air steeped in history. The road culminates at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

　　    The Royal Mile is paved with setts—small, rounded stones worn smooth over time. Together with the stately architecture lining the street, it tells the story of its ancient past to every visitor.

　　    Royal Mile Must-visit reason: The busiest tourist street in Edinburgh’s Old Town Continent: Europe Country/Region: Britain Province/State: Edinburgh City: Edinburgh