The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Royal Mile is a succession of streets in Old Town, Edinburgh and are marked from both ends by the most historical places in Scotland: Edinburgh Castle (in the West) and Holyrood Palace (in the East).  The main streets of Royal Mile are as follows: Edinburgh Castle, Castle Hill, The Lawnmarket, Parliament Square, High Street, Canongate, Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park.

  

The Royal Bank of Scotland

This steep and narrow close, believed to date from 1544, 

offers views to Princes Street and the Scott Monument. 

There are numerous closes or eskinitas in and between the medieval buildings in Royal Mile, most of which are with dark history of killing and witch-hunting 

during the Middle Ages.    

Alvin at Royal Mile's High Street and Parliament Square ♥

Rowsie in front of St. Giles Cathedral.

The St. Giles Cathedral is the principal place of worship of  the Church of Scotland,
dedicated to St. Giles, the patron saint of Edinburgh.
It was built in the 14'th century.

Bawal kumuha ng video sa loob, pero di pa din nagpaawat si Alvin.▼

Honestly, I felt exhilarated seeing the statues of David Hume and Adam Smith.  

It's like meeting a long time acquaintance for the first time, hahaha.

I don't know if they remembered they've forcefully made me understand 

a pile of their reading materials back in college!!!  

I never thought I will finally meet them here in their home country.

Their tombstones, by the way, are also in kirkyards somewhere near the Royal Mile.

☺☺☺

Again, David Hume, the author of Treatise of Human Nature (of Philo and Soc Sci!)

and Adam Smith, the Father of Modern Economics (of my many Econ subjects!), 

the renowned Scottish philosophers...

Would you believe "scare tours" are among the main tourist activities here in Edinburgh???
As I have said on my previous post, Old Town had been a place of torture in the Middle Ages, many of which are related to killing of accused witches and also groups of people, including children, during times of plague.  The tours starts at 10:00 in the evening with only a maximum 5-10 persons per group.  It includes visit to kirkyards (cemetery), closes and dungeons where these tortures occurred, with a tour guide sharing the dark stories..
 and with only candles lighting your way...

And would you believe that Alvin even thought of getting into a scare tour with ME?
Me who never watches horror films because it creeps into my mind at night???
And he consider it as a one-of-a-kind experience?
Even writing this gives me goosebumps.
NO WAY.

The Museum of Childhood containing collection of toys, dolls and games from Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian times to the present day.  It was founded in 1955. 

The John Knox's House.

The Museum of Edinburgh

The Scottish Parliament Building
located at the Holyrood Area of the Royal Mile.

The Queen's Gallery in Scotland.

Alvin looking at UK's Flag outside the Scottish Parliament.
Across the street is the Holyrood Palace.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the UK's monarch in Scotland. 
It is best known as well as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots and is now used by 
Queen Elizabeth II for garden parties and receptions.
It was already closed by the time we reached the Palace.
:-(

A&R asking famous Scottish Poet Robert Fergusson for directions.
☺

The Scotsman Hotel at North Bridge.

The North Bridge is a road bridge that connects the Royal Mile (Old Town) and the Princes Street (New Town).  It was already here as early as 1700's with the Nor Loch still existing under it.  What stood now is a renovated bridge and under it today is the Waverley Railway Station. 

The Old Town as viewed from the North Bridge.

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*Some data above was reconfirmed and/or sourced from http://www.edinburgh-royalmile.com/history/nor-loch.html, and various Wikipedia sites.