Edinburgh History Guides

Edinburgh History Guides Edinburgh History Guides. Guided walks through Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

The Doric Bar and The Hebrides Bar are two historic pubs on Market Street opposite Waverley Station. "Doric" is the dial...
18/07/2025

The Doric Bar and The Hebrides Bar are two historic pubs on Market Street opposite Waverley Station. "Doric" is the dialect spoken widely in Aberdeenshire. The Hebrides are the islands in the north west of Scotland. Imagine....it's the 19th century, you arrive in Edinburgh by steam train, from the north of Scotland. If you've come from Aberdeen, you'll head to The Doric, where you'll share a beer with other Aberdonians. Likewise, if you'd started your train journey in Kyle of Lochalsh, in the west, you'll head straight to The Hebrides Bar.
Today, both pubs welcome visitors as well as locals. Order a beer, and relax in a real pub. Sometimes there is live traditional music, and The Doric has a good bistro.

Leading off Edinburgh's Royal Mile, there are many "closes" (alleys). Perhaps the most evocative of past centuries is Fl...
14/07/2025

Leading off Edinburgh's Royal Mile, there are many "closes" (alleys). Perhaps the most evocative of past centuries is Fleshmarket Close, which led to the town abattoirs, which were located where this photo was taken, just at the entrance to Edinburgh Waverley Station. Most of the current Fleshmarket Close is a 19th century slight realignment, and reconstruction, following the opening of North Bridge. Other interesting closes on my old map, are Hangman's Close and Stinking Close. I don't think they exist now, but one day I'll go looking for their location, and stand, and imagine...!

This is Falkland Palace, one hour north of Edinburgh. It was the Royal hunting lodge, then was transformed into a renais...
08/07/2025

This is Falkland Palace, one hour north of Edinburgh. It was the Royal hunting lodge, then was transformed into a renaissance Palace by James IV and James V. Much of it was a ruin until restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, home to the world's oldest Real Tennis court still in use (1439), and located in Falkland, one of Scotland's most picturesque villages, it is missed by most visitors to Scotland.

Puffins on the Isle of May. At the weekend we took a boat trip from Anstruther to this island in the Firth of Forth, a n...
08/07/2025

Puffins on the Isle of May. At the weekend we took a boat trip from Anstruther to this island in the Firth of Forth, a nature sanctuary which is home to around 70,000 puffins. And many other birds species such as kittiwakes, guillemots and oyster catchers. So near to Edinburgh, but a very different world!

King Charles in Edinburgh! On Wednesday, my usual meeting point for a 4pm walking tour was closed off, for the King and ...
04/07/2025

King Charles in Edinburgh! On Wednesday, my usual meeting point for a 4pm walking tour was closed off, for the King and Queen attending a short service at St Giles Cathedral. Sorry about the poor quality photo, the King is the man in the light grey suit, just recognisable. Every June and July, the King spends on couple of weeks in Scotland carrying out official engagements.

What's this? Well, the facade straight ahead is the west wall of Old Parliament Hall. This view from George IV Bridge is...
02/07/2025

What's this? Well, the facade straight ahead is the west wall of Old Parliament Hall. This view from George IV Bridge is the only place to see the original 17th century Scottish Renaissance exterior. Other facades have been wrapped in 19th century neo-classical, or 20th century "mockintosh" redevelopments. For me, the most amazing thing is that thousands of people walk along that street every day, and don't look sideways. All the history they're missing!

You like cooking? Head down Stevenlaw's Close, next to 136 High St (Royal Mile), for Mrs. Susanna MacIver's recipe for "...
30/06/2025

You like cooking? Head down Stevenlaw's Close, next to 136 High St (Royal Mile), for Mrs. Susanna MacIver's recipe for "A Pigeon Dumpling". She ran a cookery school here in the 1770s. There's also her recipe for "A Good Scotch Haggies" which she published in 1773, the first printed recipe for haggis in Scotland. And for fans of urban design, it's all beautifully presented as text on Corten steel plate.

Visited Hermitage Castle, on our cycle ride this weekend. I've always wanted to see this forbidding structure, which is...
29/06/2025

Visited Hermitage Castle, on our cycle ride this weekend. I've always wanted to see this forbidding structure, which is near the border with England. I wasn't disappointed! Built in the 14th century, it's really well preserved. It's most famous visitor was Mary Queen of Scots, who rode the 25 miles each way from Jedburgh to meet the Earl of Bothwell who had been wounded. He later became her husband (that's a long story), although it's said that this trip probably wasn't a romantic tryst, more likely she was seeking his advice on pressing legal matters in Jedburgh.

And here's the real thing, Edinburgh Castle looking its best. Every time I'm in the city, and I look up and see the cast...
29/06/2025

And here's the real thing, Edinburgh Castle looking its best. Every time I'm in the city, and I look up and see the castle, in winter or summer, in sunshine, pouring rain, or freezing snow, I always think to myself how lucky I am to live in Edinburgh!

Look at my lovely new logo for my walking tours around Edinburgh's historic Old Town and Royal Mile! Thanks for your won...
29/06/2025

Look at my lovely new logo for my walking tours around Edinburgh's historic Old Town and Royal Mile! Thanks for your wonderful creative design skills, Viktoria, I think it's great!
That's a representation of me in front of Edinburgh Castle. Wearing my hat, because it's been so sunny recently!

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EH11RF

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