A Walk Around Edinburgh: Part Five

One of the many tourist shops on the Canongate.

Bull's Close. Named after Robert Bull who owned property here in the 18th century.

Crichton's Close leading to the Scottish Poetry Library, which is open to the public. Entry is free.

Entrance to The Museum of Edinburgh.

The brightly painted Museum building. 

Lamp standard from Princes Street now stands in the Museum yard. 

The Tolbooth was formerly the main municipal building in the city of Edinburgh for more than 400 years.

A closer look at the Tolbooth tower and clock.

The Wyrd shop sells all things alternative. 

Sculpture on a building, which dates back to 1677,  on the north side of Canongate. The open book contains an excerpt from The Bible, Psalm 133.

One of the many plaques to be seen in Edinburgh.

Site of the original St John's Cross in the road at Canongate. 

An open top tourist bus (A former London Transport Routemaster bus!) heading up Canongate.

(The walk continues tomorrow!)

A Walk Around Edinburgh: Part Four

The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) was in residence at Holyrood Palace on the day we were in Edinburgh. Note the flying of the Royal Standard.

The Palace has been the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century.

One of the gated entrances to Holyrood Palace, with several folk taking photographs

This building was adjacent to the Palace.

Entrance from Abbey Strand to the outside yard of the Palace where you can visit the shop or pay to take a tour.  The tours were suspended due to the fact that Duke Of York was there. 

A Palace gatehouse. 

Another view of the Palace.

This gate to the Palace doesn't appear to be used too much. 

Note the royal crown at the top of the lamp standard!

The Queen's Gallery was opened by Her Majesty in November 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The Gallery hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. 

The footpath leading to the top of 'Arthur's Seat.' It's quite a climb, but from the top you are rewarded with some magnificent views of Edinburgh and beyond. (Pic - Mooncat755).

Part of the Scottish Parliament buildings, which are just across the road from Holyrood Palace. 

I'm afraid the modern architecture of the Scottish Parliament buildings is not to my taste! Holyrood Palace can just be seen on the left of the picture. 

A closer look.

The buildings are at the bottom of Canongate. This view is from outside The Queen's Gallery.  

A final view of the Scottish Parliament buildings.

(We continue the walk around Edinburgh tomorrow, making our way back up Canongate and eventually heading towards St Giles Cathedral)

A Walk Around Edinburgh: Part Three

Reid's Court, Canongate. Takes it name from Andrew Reid, a brewer and magistrate who lived here in the 1770s.

The impressive building of The Royal Mile Primary School. Its pupils are often involved in events at the nearby Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle.

Campbell's Close is named after former resident George Campbell, a merchant and magistrate, who owned a tenement here in the 1770s.

Note the different spelling of 'Whitefoord' (See image of plaque above).

Formerly known as Davidson's Close, then Laurence Ord's Close, the current name of White Horse Close was a result of Ord rebuilding a tenement and erecting an Inn, known as the White Horse Inn in the 1700s. 

This plaque is on one of the buildings in White Horse Close.

Another view of White Horse Close. 

These steps led to The White Horse Inn. You can see the plaque on the wall (See image below).

I wonder where this leads to?

In 1745 the Inn was the headquarters of Jacobite officers, whilst Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the nearby Holyrood Palace.

(Part Four of the walk around Edinburgh continues tomorrow, featuring Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament buildings, very different in terms of architecture).