Capital Trails Walking Club.
B. W. F. Club 102.
Contact: Wendy Meredith,
4A Clandon Terrace, Kingston Road, Raynes Park, London, SW20 8SE
Walk Start Place: Waverly Bridge, Edinburgh. Map 66, GR NT259739.
Entry Fee: £1.00
Optional Badge: £2.00
Route Description:
The walk starts on Waverly Bridge, facing away from the Castle, walk towards the traffic lights and turn left across the lights. Turn left then immediately right and enter Princes Street Gardens. Keep straight ahead passing The Scott Monument, heading for the columned building (The National Gallery). On reaching The National Gallery bear right onto Princes Street, continue in the same direction crossing traffic lights and return to Princes Street Gardens descending some steps, passing the floral clack on your right. Half way down this path is a bronze of a 1st World War soldier.
Q1. What is the name and date on the plinth?
Continue along and climb the steps at the end. Turn left out of the gates and turn right across Princes Street and into South Charlotte Street this soon becomes North Charlotte Street. Go down slope to the main road and turn right onto Albyn Place, at the second set of traffic lights turn left onto Queen St Gardens West then downhill to traffic lights and turn right into Heriot Row. This area will give you the feel of the New Town of Edinburgh, nicely laid out with wide roads, gardens etc, you will see the difference once you reach the original Old Town area. At the next set of traffic lights turn right onto Queen St Gardens East. Go up the hill and turn left onto Queen Street. Walk along here passing the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Q2. When was the Portrait Gallery built?
At the traffic lights turn right onto North St Andrews St, head along here onto St Andrews Square. Carry straight on to the traffic lights on South St Andrews St, at the end turn left onto Princes Street. Walk past the Balmoral Hotel on your right, go across the traffic lights and carry straight on. You are now in Waterloo Place. Carry on until you see the sign for Calton Hill, 20 metres past Calton Gate turn left and in a few metres more turn right up a flight of steps. At the top bear right, you will see a cannon.
Q3. What is the date on the cannon?
On a clear day there are some fantastic views over the Firth Of Forth and beyond to be seen from this point. Retrace your steps back down the hill to the main road, turn left and walk down to the traffic lights. At the traffic lights turn right into Abbey Mount, the road bends to the right and passes under a railway bridge. Go straight on past The Palace of Holyrood House on your left, to the roundabout passing the new Scottish Parliament building and right into Cannon Gate. You are now at the start of the Royal Mile the old route between The Palace of Hollyrood and the Castle, and the Old Town, note how close together the houses are built with only alleys or Closes wide enough to take a hand cart between them. Compare this now with what you saw in the New Town area. Walk straight on and do not take any side turnings.
Q4. Opposite Sugarhouse Close there is a clock. What is the date on the clock?
After Cannon Gate you will enter the High Street, carry on and turn left into George IV Bridge Road stay on the left, at the end as the road splits by the traffic lights, cross the road and see the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. Retrace your steps back along George IV Bridge Road to the traffic lights and turn left onto Lawnmarket. Walk towards the church that appears in the middle of the road. When you reach the church, walk to the right side up Castle Hill Road, just before you enter the Castle Esplanade to your left is the Scottish Whisky Centre.
Q5. What was the original use of this building?
Carry on forward onto the Esplanade which again gives good views over the City and beyond. Now return back down the hill. Stay to your left as you pass the church and walk to the traffic lights, on the corner is a pub called the Deacon Brodie, here you will turn left onto Bank Street and follow the road down bearing to left and right. At the traffic lights turn right onto Market Street, continue down the Hill to Waverly Bridge Road. Turn left and you have now completed this walk.
The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property. Every effort will be made to make this a safe enjoyable and memorable event.
Updated 9th February 2008