Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Victoria Terrace
From the Lawnmarket at the top of the Royal Mile, dive down Fisher's Close, which
leads you onto the delightful Victoria Terrace, strung above the cobbled curve of
shop-lined Victoria St. Wander along to the right, enjoying the view -
Maxie's Bis-
tro
( 226 7770;
www.maxiesbistro.com
;
5b Johnston Tce; mains £10-22; 11am-11pm;
2, 23, 27, 41, 42, 45)
, at the far end of the terrace, is a great place to stop for lunch or a
drink.
Grassmarket
Descend the stairs in the middle of the terrace and continue downhill to the Grass-
market. The site of a cattle market from the 15th century until the start of the 20th,
the Grassmarket was also the city's place of execution, and martyred Covenanters are
commemorated by a monument at the eastern end, where the gallows once stood.
The notorious murderers Burke and Hare operated from a now-vanished close off the
west end.
Flodden Wall
Turn left up the flight of stairs known as the Vennel. At the top of the steps on the left
you'll find the Flodden Wall, one of the few surviving fragments of the city wall that
was built in the early 16th century as protection against a feared English invasion.
Beyond it stretches the Telfer Wall, a later extension.
George Heriot's School
Turn left along Lauriston Pl to find George Heriot's School, one of the most impress-
ive buildings in the Old Town. Built in the 17th century with funds bequeathed by
George Heriot (goldsmith and banker to King James VI, and popularly known as
Jinglin' Geordie), it was originally a school for orphaned children, but became a fee-
paying school in 1886. It is open to the public on Doors Open Day
(
www.doorsopendays.org.uk
)
in September.
