Edinburgh’s Old Town
Edinburgh’s Old Town is the medieval heart of the city. Even if you’ve never visited the Scottish capital before, it’s impossible to miss this part of town: simply look for the outline of Edinburgh Castle, sitting proud on top of an extinguished volcano.
Together with the New Town and parts of the West End, Edinburgh’s Old Town is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire site forms the historic heart of Edinburgh.
Where exactly is it?
Open a map of Edinburgh and zoom into the centre of the city. The Old Town is easily recognizable by its windy streets, formed by a combination of topography and medieval architecture. Similar to other cities that grew through the Middle Ages, streets and closes (Scottish for alleyways) don’t obey architects’ rules here. They followed the path of a lifestyle long gone.
Just look to the north of the Old Town on your map. That’s where old meets new, and the contrast between windy streets and rectangular roads couldn’t be more obvious. Click here to learn more about living in Edinburgh’s New Town.
How was the Old Town formed?
Beginning with Edinburgh Castle, this area is the oldest part of Edinburgh. The earliest settlement began right on the hilltop where the castle stands today, eventually becoming fortified to protect the new city. In time, the fortification became the castle, and the city grew around the castle hill.
Today, the second-most noticeable feature of Edinburgh’s “Auld Toun” is the Royal Mile, the main street running from the castle down to the Palace of Holyrood House, the King’s home in the Scottish capital. Small “wynds” and closes branch off the Royal Mile, just as they did hundreds of years ago.
Even during the 15th and 16th century, property in this area was in high demand for two reasons. Edinburgh citizens preferred to live inside the safety of the city walls. Plus, due to the topography, space was limited. As a result, Edinburgh’s Old Town became the home of some of the world’s oldest residential “high rise” buildings. By the 16th century, multi-story buildings started springing up.
It’s easy to feel like time stood still here, and the Old Town kept much of its initial layout and architecture until the late 18th century. At that point, bridges were added to improve access. In 1824, the Great Fire of Edinburgh destroyed much of the original architecture. Rebuilding led to a change in ground level and created underground passages you can visit today.
Development continued throughout the 19th century, when architects John Dick Peddie and Charles George Hood Kinnear laying out additional streets to improve access to Waverley Station and the New Town.
During the second half of the 19th century, further east-west routes complemented the main Royal Mile artery, this time designed by architects David Cousin and John Lessels. Their work forced the demolition of many of the original buildings, replacing them with newer structures. Saying that, the Old Town retains much of its period character.
What is it like to live there today?
Arguably, you couldn’t choose a more historic area of Edinburgh to make your home. By now, buildings in the original Old Town have been renovated and upgraded to a degree.
Modernization is limited somewhat by stipulations made for the preservation of historic buildings, such as grade A or B listing. However, new developments around the boundaries of the medieval heart of the city have added more options for prospective property owners.
Living in the Old Town means being in the very heart of Edinburgh and being able to walk to many of the most coveted tourist attractions. There is no better place to soak up the city’s spirit.
This is never truer than during the summer, when the Royal Mile welcomes artists from around the globe for the Edinburgh Festivals. With a period property here, you can enjoy the atmosphere and access performances easily.
However, for some, being this central may have a few drawbacks. First and foremost, there is only a small number of period family homes in this area, which limits your choices. Amenities like parking are scarce, which may lead to some inconvenience. Plus, the area is a firm favourite with visitors and festival goers, making it rather busy at certain times of the year.
On the plus side, we promise you’ll never tire of catching castle views in one direction, or looking at Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags, the most distinct features of Holyrood Park, at the eastern end of the Royal Mile. Another extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat is perfect for a leisurely hike with unparalleled views of the city. The park itself is perfect for a picnic, feeding ducks, or going for a run on a long summer night.
Search period properties in the Old Town here.
