Self-guided walking tour
Edinburgh Walking Tour: Canongate to Holyrood – The Royal End of the Mile (about 2 hours, 8 stops)
8 stops in walking order through Edinburgh, from Canongate Kirk to Holyrood Abbey: 2.5 km on foot, about 30 min of walking, 2 h 10 min in total with the story and a look around at each stop. Walking times come from the routed walking path, not a straight line. It is the route of “Canongate to Holyrood: The Royal End of the Mile”, a ready-made tour in the Guided Tours app.
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Distance
- 2.5 km
- Walking
- 30 min
- Stops
- 8
The stops, in walking order
Canongate Kirk
A Church of Scotland congregation serving the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
1 min walk · 90 m
Museum of Edinburgh
The Museum of Edinburgh occupies Huntly House on Canongate and explores the city’s origins, history and legends.
5 min walk · 410 m
John Knox House
A historic Edinburgh house linked by tradition with Protestant reformer John Knox, though his likely residence was elsewhere in Warriston Close.
6 min walk · 520 m
Dunbar's Close Garden
Dunbar’s Close Garden is a compact series of planted compartments recalling the long gardens behind Old Town houses.
4 min walk · 340 m
White Horse Close
A compact courtyard reached from the Canongate, with buildings shaped by repeated conversions.
4 min walk · 320 m
Parliament Building
The purpose-built home of Scotland’s national legislature at Holyrood.
9 min walk · 690 m
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The monarch’s official Scottish residence and a setting for ceremonial occasions.
2 min walk · 130 m
Holyrood Abbey
A ruined religious house beside Holyroodhouse, founded by David I and later connected with royal residence, parish worship, and sanctuary.
Walk it with audio.
Get the appMore walks in Edinburgh
- Weird & UnusualDark Edinburgh – Closes, Vaults and Kirkyards45 min · 6 stops · 1.8 kmSee the walk
- Food & DrinkWhisky, Oysters and Old Pubs45 min · 4 stops · 2.6 kmSee the walk
- Nature & ViewsHolyrood Park – Arthur's Seat and Duddingston Loch1 h 15 min · 4 stops · 4.9 kmSee the walk
- Hidden GemsNew Town to Dean Village and the Water of Leith1 h 20 min · 6 stops · 5.0 kmSee the walk
- HighlightsThe Royal Mile1 h 45 min · 6 stops · 1.1 kmSee the walk
- Gardens & ViewsPrinces Street to Calton Hill – Monuments and Views2 h · 8 stops · 3.0 kmSee the walk
- HighlightsThe Essentials3 h 55 min · 10 stops · 5.4 kmSee the walk
Walk Edinburgh with an audio guide in your pocket
Join the beta and walk this route with the story at every stop.