Princes Street to Calton Hill: Monuments and Views

The stops, in walking order

1. 1

   

   Stop 1: Cafe Royal

   ~3 min here

   Cafe Royal is a hotel and oyster bar whose elaborate interior grew from a much more practical plan.

2. 2

   

   Stop 2: Dugald Stewart Monument

   ~3 min here

   This circular monument commemorates Dugald Stewart, the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher who lived from 1753 to 1828.

3. 3

   

   Stop 3: Nelson Monument

   ~3 min here

   The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower for Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, rising on Calton Hill.

4. 4

   

   Stop 4: National Monument of Scotland

   ~3 min here

   National Monument of Scotland is the unfinished temple you see crowning Calton Hill.

5. 5

   

   Stop 5: Calton Hill

   ~3 min here

   Calton Hill is an elevated landmark in central Edinburgh, and its slopes gather monuments, historic buildings, and broad city views.

6. 6

   

   Stop 6: Scott Monument

   ~3 min here

   The Scott Monument rises as a Victorian Gothic memorial to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, dominating the eastern section of Princes Street Gardens.

7. 7

   

   Stop 7: National Gallery

   ~1 hr here

   National Gallery is Scotland’s national art gallery, housed in William Henry Playfair’s neoclassical building on The Mound.

8. 8

   

   Stop 8: West Princes Street Gardens

   ~3 min here

   West Princes Street Gardens is the broad public park stretching beside Princes Street, lying beneath Edinburgh Castle’s shadow.

More walks in Edinburgh

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• HighlightsEdinburgh Essentials: The Royal Mile in an Hour6 stops · ~1 hr 45 min · 1.1 kmSee the walk
• Royal HeritageCanongate to Holyrood: The Royal End of the Mile8 stops · ~2 hr 10 min · 2.5 kmSee the walk
• Weird & UnusualDark Edinburgh: Closes, Vaults and Kirkyards6 stops · ~45 min · 1.8 kmSee the walk
• Hidden GemsNew Town to Dean Village and the Water of Leith6 stops · ~1 hr 20 min · 5.0 kmSee the walk
• Art & MuseumsGalleries and Museums of Edinburgh7 stops · ~5 hr 55 min · 3.6 kmSee the walk
• Food & DrinkWhisky, Oysters and Old Pubs4 stops · ~45 min · 2.6 kmSee the walk
• Nature & ViewsHolyrood Park: Arthur's Seat and Duddingston Loch4 stops · ~1 hr 15 min · 4.9 kmSee the walk
• Local LifeCowgate to the Meadows: Edinburgh's South Side5 stops · ~40 min · 1.8 kmSee the walk