New Town, Edinburgh

Summary

Edinburgh New Town is considered one of the masterpieces of Town Planning. Today Princes Street is the capital's main shopping thoroughfare, with superb views across to the Castle. Further from this busy hub, the original Georgian architecture of the fine crescents and circusses to the north can be appreciated in full.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Roads / pavements; fairly level.

Getting there

Start

Waverley Steps exit from Waverley Rail Station.

Public Transport

Train to Waverley Station, buses alight here at east end of Princes Street.

Start Grid Ref

NT257739

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 15m (Profile)

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Explorer 350 - Edinburgh

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk is described from Waverley Station; specifically the top of Waverley Steps that lead up to emerge on Princes Street alongside the Balmoral Hotel. With its distinctive clocktower this is one of Edinburgh's landmark buildings, guarding the eastern end of Princes Street. From the top of the steps turn left and follow the pavement past the underground shopping centre to reach a junction with Waverley Bridge, from where sightseeing bus tours depart. Cross Waverley Bridge and, rather than continuing along Princes Street pavement itself, follow the parallel path through the gardens instead.

Stage 2

The giant and elaborate stone spire ahead is the Waverley Monument - built in honour of St Walter Scott; for a charge it is possible to climb the tiny winding staircase to the top for fine views. Head along the parkland footpath, passing to the left of the monument, though do cast a glance across Princes Street to see the fine architecture of Jenners - the worlds oldest department store - almost directly opposite. Continuing on the path, there are superb views of the Old Town and the Castle over to the left.

Stage 3

The path soon reaches a pair of neoclassical buildings. The one directly ahead is the Royal Scottish Academy, whilst that to its left is the National Gallery of Scotland; this latter is free to visit and has a collection of priceless masterpieces. Pass between the two galleries to reach a road - the Mound - and turn right along this, and then left once along Princes Street. Whilst the gardens and views on the left remain magnificent, the built side of this famous thoroughfare is now taken up with large shops. Pass the church at the far end and note the fine red sandstone of the Caledonian Hotel - the counterpart to the Balmoral at the other end, and likewise accorded 5 stars. Now cross Princes Street and turn right up Hope Street.

Stage 4

This leads quickly to Charlotte Square, designed by Robert Adam and with superb Georgian architecture around a central garden. The square is busy with traffic and it is best to cross to the other side of Hope Street to continue in the same direction. On the left is West Register House, capped by a copper dome; continue along Hope Street to leave the square and most of the noise of the vehicles behind.

Stage 5

At the next junction keep ahead into Ainslie Place - a beautiful oval of Georgian terraces with a private garden in the centre of its cobbled roadway. Bear right to leave the place at the next exit to reach Moray Place, which is even grander than Ainslie Place and arranged in a circle - known as a circus. Turn left around Moray Place and leave it at the next left turn - Doune Terrace. From here there are fine views across Leith and the Forth to Fife.

Stage 6

The street ends with more private garden ahead. Turn right and then immediately left to reach the Royal Circus; head to the right around the fine curve of houses. Take the next right and right again onto Howe Street and follow this until it reaches Queen Street Gardens at a cross-roads. Turn left here onto Heriott Row. Look out for a plaque on the left side, which marks the former home of the novelist and travel writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

Stage 7

Take the next right hand turning onto Dundas Street, with the gardens on either side, and then left onto Queen Street. The route then takes the second right turn, into North St Andrew Street; but before heading that way take a look at the magnificent gothic-style building on the right is the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. If open, this is well worth a visit; quite apart from the paintings, the inner hall is decorated with a freize of famous Scots figures. Continuing the walk, continue on St Andrew street passing along the east side of St Andrew Square with its huge memorial obelisk, and beside many financial offices and buildings to emerge on Princes Street. The Balmoral Hotel and the top of Waverley Steps at the start of the walk are just to the left.

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