Tourist Attractions on the Royal Mile Edinburgh, this mile long street has numerous attractions, not just for tourists.   Starting on Castlehill (West End)  I will go down the Royal Mile (High Street) through the lawn market ending up on the on the other end at the Cannongae (East End) pointing out what I think may or may not be worth a visit.  I do realize that this has been done many times, but here is my take…  Not included pricing, that changes all to often, but web links are there.

1) Edinburgh Castle
http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom

The Castle, built atop of a volcanic rock this dominates the Edinburgh skyline and probably the first place to visit for many tourists.  A wee bit pricy around £16 for an adult, but certainly worth a visit.  It’s Home to Edinburgh’s oldest building ‘St Margaret’s Chapel’ this was built in the 12th century, Mons Meg a huge 17th Century siege cannon, the National war museum.

2) Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/
549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND

This is a brilliant quirky thing to see, about 150 years old, inside the Victorian rooftop you get to see moving images of around the city through a periscope, even flip and move people around.  on your way up you will see many things that will play with your mind.  Oh its also worth mentioning that this is that they claim to be Edinburgh’s oldest attraction

3) The Scotch Whisky Experience
http://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/
354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE

You can’t come to Scotland without trying some of our fine Whisky’s, learn how its made, participate in some tasting and smell the aromas.  Remember though in Scotland its Whisky not Whiskey

4) The Hub
http://www.thehub-edinburgh.com/
Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Hub is a central source of information on all the Edinburgh Festivals. Its Gothic spire one of the highest point in central Edinburgh

5) Gladstone’s Land
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Gladstones-Land/
477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT

Easy to miss, this is a building with historic significance a 17th century high-tenement house.   Edinburgh used to be so crammed together in the old town with this style of building.

6) Heart of Midlothian
367-377 High St, Edinburgh

This heart-shaped mosaic, formed in coloured granite setts is built into the pavement just outside St Giles’ Cathedral marks the spot of the 15th-century Old Tolbooth, this was the main municipal building in the city of Edinburgh for more than 400 years.  This Tolbooth was also the Edinburgh’s main gaol where public execution and torture were conducted.

7) St Giles’ Cathedral
http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/
High St, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1RE

St Giles’ Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. With its famed crown spire it stands on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh.

8) Mercat Cross
Parliament Square next to St Giles Kirk.

Not the original location of the Mercat cross, original a little further down, demolished 1756, rebuilt in this location around 1880.  The Mercat cross was a place for important civic announcements, punishment and sometimes executions.

9) Tron Kirk
9 Hunter Square, Edinburgh EH1 1QW

The Tron Kirk is a former parish church, It is a well-known landmark on the Royal Mile. It was built in the 17th.

10) Museum Of Childhood
http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Museum-of-Childhood
42 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TG

This is a nice place, take some time and look around some old children’s toys, perhaps experience some nostalgia.  Surprising quite a lot to look at spanning several floors

11) John Knox House
43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR

This is an historic house reputed to have been owned, lived in by Protestant reformer John Knox during the 16th century

12) Cannongate kirk
http://www.canongatekirk.org.uk/
153 Canongate, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH8 8BN

The Kirk of the Canongate, or Canongate Kirk, serves the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh’s Old Town,

13) Museum Of Edinburgh
http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Museum-of-Edinburgh.aspx
142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH8 8DD

The Museum of Edinburgh, is a museum housing a collection relating to the town’s origins, history and legends

14) Scottish Parliament Building
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/
Edinburgh EH99 1SP, United Kingdom

This is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood,  Construction of the building commenced in June 1999 formal opening took place on 9 October 2004.  it is open to visitors Monday to Saturday and is free of charge to visit

15) Holyrood Palace
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse
Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX

Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.  Disappointingly photographs inside are not permitted