Princes Street, Edinburgh

Maybe a unique feature of the city?

The gardens extend almost the whole length of one side of the city's main street. They separate the new town from the old. The area was a loch originally and was drained to create the gardens.

The Scott Monument & Ross Bandstand lie in the gardens. At Christmas they have a market & temporary ice rink.

It's wonderful to have this huge open space right in the heart of the city. When the weather is good, it's full of people catching the rays or eating lunch.

In fact, it was having a pleasant sandwich in the sun there yesterday evening which reminded me to write this.

If you are unfamiliar with Edinburgh - the Edinburtgh Information Centre should be your first stop. The Centre is well located beside Waverley Train Station & Princes Street. The staff are well clued up on city highlights & can book accommodation for you. You may leave with a forest load of leaflets to browse at your leisure.

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These gardens were created during the building of the New Town and sit where Nor Loch had been. The loss of a loch in Scotland is probably no big deal, but this one was evidently very polluted from centuries of catching the sewage from the Old Town above it. The gardens are a fascinating blending of many features of the city. It sits just below the wonderful castle, the railroad runs unobtrusively through it from Waverly Station, it contains many statues, memorials and a couple of churches as well as the National Gallery and the Royal Scottish Academy. The largest and most eye-catching memorial is to Sir Walter Scott. While Princes Street is a major shopping area, the gardens are a beautiful, and being lower than street level, quiet place to walk through the a world of blooming flowers, starting with the famous botanical clock.

We were traveling with another couple and her mother, who can no longer travel much, was born in Edinburgh and insisted our friend be sure and see the Botanical Clock so I had to get a photo of her by the clock.

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An essential must do; you board tour buses from Waverley Bridge, beside the station, and just off Princes Street.

Whilst waiting for the next bus (they are 4 different tours, each showing slightly different attractions) you can take some stunning photos of the Castle sitting on the hill, from this distance.

Also, there are so many buses that you hardly have to wait. I suggest you look up the destinations, and decide which ones to use (I used all four in a day > the perfect intro to and welcome in Edinburgh!)

Even all 4 cost 15UKP; you hop-on hop-off at the given sites and can take your time at the sites that interest you. There'd always be another bus for that route doing the circuit to pick you up !!

There are also loads of big brand department stores sprinkled over, and around this premier street.

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Between the main shopping thoroughfare of Princes Street, and the old town & castle, lies Princes Street Gardens. Its the perfect place to grab a quick lunch on a sunny day and just relax and soak up the views of the castle and old town. You can almost forget you are in the centre of a bustling capital city!

Its also home to a couple of sights - the Scott Monument & National Gallery can both be accessed from the gardens

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When in Edinburgh I always find it nice to sit in Princes Street Gardens. With Princes Street on one side and the rock with the Castle overshadowing the other side it is nice to sit in the gardens [usually with a Starbucks coffee] and people watch. The gardens were built in the hollow of a drained loch.

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Princes Street is a must do for feeling the heartbeat of Edinburgh... and for fabulous shopping!
Named after the sons of King George III, the street and immediate area represents both the busy local scene and tourist central.

For those who want to shop, this is the place to be. High-end department stores such as the House of Fraser (including Jenners), Marks and Spencer and Debenhams are well- frequented. Other retail shops, geared to tourist are lined across the street.

Go to my following "things-to-do" tips for some other street highlights/landmarks.

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Princes Street Gardens, once an unsightly draining area called Nor Loch, is a beautiful local and tourist attraction where people can enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Common activities are taking a stroll, smelling flowers, bird watching and taking in beautiful skyline and city surroundings.

The extensive park area, dating back to the 1820s, is along the dividing line of Edinburgh: separating the old town with the new town. Numerou statues, varieties of flowers and many faces grace the scene.

Come here to meet, walk and perhaps have a snack, as I did with my group.

A delightful stretch of green in the middle of the city, Princes Street Gardens divides the lower New Town and Princes Street with the Old Town above and Edinburgh Castle. The gardens were created in 1820 and as well as providing a place to rest your legs they afford some fine views of some of Edinburgh's monuments.

Edinburgh's main street, Princes Street, was built in the late 18th century and was named after the sons of King George 111 who was monarch at the time. It's a busy thoroughfare with lots of shops but along the south side you have great views across the park to the castle (as in my Intro photo)