Walk 2061 - Edinburgh – Calton Hill and the city centre

      
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This walk offers a useful basis for exploring the city centre and at the same time visit one of the local viewpoints over the city. The city centre has many fine buildings and this route provides a way of sampling the architectural delights. The focus of the city is Princes Street, which is lined with shops on one side and flanked by Princes Street Gardens on the other. Overlooking this scene is Edinburgh Castle. Running parallel with this primary street are George Street and Queen Street which are less commercialised and lined with many fine buildings. It is worth noting that no attempt has been made to offer a detailed description of the many sights that are passed during the walk as there are many excellent guide books that cover this type of detail.

The route starts from the Scott Monument (Grid ref. NT255739) on the south side of Princes Street. From here, walk east towards Waverley Station. Continue west past the Balmoral Hotel into Waterloo Place. Ahead on your left is Calton Hill, reached by steps from the road, with the unfinished Acropolis standing out on the skyline. It was meant to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, as a memorial to those who had died in the Napoleonic Wars. Building began in 1822, but funds ran dry and celebrated Edinburgh architect William Playfair only got to see a facade of his building completed. Despite this incomplete monument, Calton Hill still provides a prefect place to look across the city including the length of Princes Street, Edinburgh castle, the cliffs of Salisbury Crags and Arthurs Seat.

Having enjoyed the view retrace your steps and walk back towards Princes Street. Take the first right, Leith Street, and descend towards the Glasshouse. Cross Leith Street and bear left in front of the Glasshouse to enter York Place. This is an extension of Queen Street. Pass the Scottish National Portrait gallery on your left and turn left into North St. David’s Street to reach St Andrew’s Square, one of many open spaces in this part of the city. To continue turn left again into George Street, laid out in 1718, and walk west along this beautiful street as far as Frederick Street. On the way you will pass the Assembly Rooms built in 1787. Turn right and walk up to Queen Street and then turn left. Continue to the end of this street noting the many fine buildings on either wide.

Just before you reach a circle (Ainslie Place), turn left down Glenfinlas Street and Hope Street to Princes Street. Cross the road and walk through the gardens back to the start. On your right Edinburgh Castle and in the distance ahead you might just see Calton Hill.

OS Map showing start

Ordnance Survey Map showing starting point of walk - Click Here

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet 350
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 66

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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