Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cannonball House
Begin at the Castle Esplanade and walk
downhill towards the Royal Mile. The
17th-century house on the right, above
the steps of North Castle Wynd, is
known as
Cannonball House
because of
the iron ball lodged in the wall (look
between, and slightly below, the two
largest windows in the wall facing the
castle). It was not fired in anger, but instead marks the gravitation height to which water
would flow naturally from the city's first piped water supply.
WALK FACTS
Start
Castle Esplanade
Finish
High St, Royal Mile
Distance
0.75 miles
Duration
One to two hours
Witches Well
The rectangular building across the street was originally the reservoir that held the Old
Town's water supply. On its west wall is the
Witches Well
, where a modern bronze foun-
tain commemorates around 4000 people (mostly women) who were burned or strangled in
Edinburgh on suspicion of witchcraft between 1479 and 1722.
Ramsay Garden
Go past the reservoir, turn left down Ramsay Lane and take a look at
Ramsay Garden
,
one of the most desirable addresses in Edinburgh, where late 19th-century apartments
were built around the nucleus of the octagonal Ramsay Lodge, once home to poet Allan
Ramsay.
New College
The cobbled street continues around to the right below student residences, to the twin
towers of the
New College
- home to the University of Edinburgh's Faculty of Divinity.
Nip into the courtyard to see the
statue of John Knox
.
Victoria Terrace
Turn right and climb up the stairs into Milne's Ct, a student residence. Exit onto Lawn-
market, cross the street (bearing left) and then turn right down Fisher's Close, which leads
onto the delightful
Victoria Terrace
, poised above the cobbled curve of Victoria St.
Wander right, enjoying the view, then descend the stairs at the foot of Upper Bow and
continue downhill to the Grassmarket.
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