 | Edinburgh Royal Mile Reviews | 1 - 6 of 6 |  |
Supply and demand.
So, it seems in Edinburgh there is a demand for fake ginger hair and tartan, child-like bagpies and hidious imitation kilts.
Edinburgh has its own version of the "bucket and spade", the "kiss me quick hat" gimmicks of a joke shop or seaside stall. the cheap and nasty souvenires.
I guess I just feel sad that these shops are so garish and prominent on the beautiful Royal Mile. It seems most incongruous to have these shops amongst the cobbled streets, ancient stone buildings and shoe worn alleyways. It cheapens it and turns it into a "tourist street", and all that means.
Still, there is so much else to catch your eye, and many people bussling and browsing, that you'll possibly not notice.
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Now dont' get me wrong. The Royal Mile is very interesting with lots of narrow "wynds" and alleys to explore and lots of shops and a few museums. But buying souvenirs in the shops might be a bit more expensive than you planned as it is in most tourist centers. Compare prices carefully. Lots of the shops have a lot of the same merchandise.
There's also Deacon Brodie's cafe. We had lunch in there and the staff were a bit brusque and not very friendly at all. Yes it was busy at lunchtime but they could have been a bit nicer. You felt rushed as well. Guess we would have been better off finding a place to rest our feet off the Royal mile over in the grassmarket or the student areas.
Compare prices carefully before you buy.
Try off the main roads, over by the university or out in Leith. Most of the city center is pretty touristy and Prince's Street is a fairly upper shelf shopping street as well. Leave a Comment
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Though undeniably scenic and atmospheric, the Royal Mile throws up some of the city's worst excesses of tourist tat. Despite being the main tourist artery of the town there are a shocking number of empty shopfronts.
As a general rule of thumb stay out of shops and pubs here as you'll find much better elsewhere in the city. I'm talking about tartan shops where everything is imported from China, glorified gift shops that charge admission for its 'Experience' and overpriced pubs scraping by on their location alone. These include the Jolly Judge on James Court and the World's End on High Street, neither of which are anything special.
Some of Edinburgh's mightiest monuments and most charming historic homes can be found scattered along its length amongst the tat. Focus on the historic highlights along the way such as the Castle, High Kirk, Mercat Cross, Canongate Kirk and Holyroodhouse.
Be sure to peek into the closes and wynds angling off the route along the way for surprise vistas.
The Royal Mile is best experienced at night, especially on any one of the ghost tours that leave from the Mercat Cross. Leave a Comment
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holyrood palace is very expensive for what is there and does not take long to look around
go on the tour of the scottish parliament instead - much cheaper and more interesting Leave a Comment
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For all its beauty and history, getting up and down the Royal Mile can be a royal pain. During the summer months it is overcome by tourists, tour groups and locals, taking a lot away from the experience itself.
As always, go early. I would say go late here too, but i imagine its just as bad at night time.
Edinburgh is pretty big, and the Royal Mile, even though its wonderful, isn't the only thing to see in the city... The Old town is just ont he other side of the castle, and is also amazing Leave a Comment
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Unless you want something typical Scottish to eat and pay for it don't eat at the restaurants on the Royal Mile. They are very expensive and if you never had any Scottish food before and are not sure, this is not the place to try it.
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