Return to NEWSletter - Spring 97 Issue.
Date: Sunday, June 29, 1997. Time: 11:00
Edinburgh Castle, sitting on a rocky volcanic outcrop, dominates the view from the commercial and shopping centre of the city. This area is known as the New Town - planned in the 1770s as a series of wide streets with gracious Georgian buildings, many remaining to this day. Behind the castle, however, lies the historic centre of Edinburgh - the Old Town - based around the Royal Mile, so called because it was the route taken by the Scottish kings on their journeys between the Palace of Holyrood House and the castle.
The city developed from medieval times in a haphazard manner, with tall buildings (some over ten storeys high) clustered around "closes" (courtyards), a mixture of housing, workshops and open-air markets, and all enclosed by a wall for defence against the English. Edinburgh in the 1700s was a lively place: over 50,000 people from all walks of life lived there, often in crowded, cramped and unhealthy conditions, and there were many notable "characters" whose ghosts remain to this day!
The desire to change things led to the development of the New Town from the 1760s: the Old Town gradually deteriorated as wealthier people moved out. Today the wall has gone but many of the old buildings remain and, in recent years, have been extensively restored making this one of the most attractive and interesting old city centres in Britain. On the walking tour we will start at the castle (at the top of the hill!) and walk down the Royal Mile, looking at old buildings and walking around some closes, hearing stories about interesting events and people of the past, and visiting one of the many museums - Gladstone's Land. This is a 17th century merchant's house, owned and restored by the National Trust for Scotland, which shows what life was like for a merchant and his family at the time when King James VI of Scotland became James I of England as well. We will also take a break for refreshment in one of the many cafes or pubs in this historic street. Pre-register.
Return to NEWSletter - Spring 97 Issue.