Edinburgh's royal mile starts at the base of Edinburgh castle. It proceeds east for a mile ending at the Holyrood palace. (Full mile: 1059-1159) "Kings have been born, crowned and died here, battles have been fought in its streets and from its castle walls. Here was the home of Scotland's parliament, until the Union; here now is the symbolic home of Scotland's kirk; the home of her legal system. Above all, it is the heart of the Scottish nation." Here is what we observed this afternoon while walking the mile.(Start of mile:1059-1060)

There are many little shops. Scottish scarves are sold everywhere. Mom buys up a scarf then comes back later to buy more for gifts. You can buy a full Scottish kilt outfit, if you have £99 to spend. Need full armor? You can buy that too for about £1,200.

The tourism and visitor center is located in an old cathedral. (1061, 1062)

St. Giles' cathedral was the church of John Knox during the Reformation. Its stained glass is its forte. Inside sits a huge pipe organ. (1064-1072)

Walkways between buildings are called "closes". (1094, 1115, 1124, 1143) For example, there is the Anchor Close. (1094) Aptly these are named; there is limited space between each. We find Advocate's Close. There sits Edinburgh's oldest house at No. 8 Advocate's Close. It was built for the merchant Thomas Harvey in 1470. The home has been used as a brass foundry, blacksmith's workshop, Song School and more. DOM, a Scottish arts charity, maintains the premises today. There are three floors each with a different style and history. (1078-1086)

Memorial's to fallen Scotsmen contain the phrase "their name liveth for everymore." We see this along the Royal Mile and also at the Edinburgh castle. (1093)

The Tron Kirk is next. (1101-1108) "350 years ago in 1637 the foundation of Christ's Kirk at the Tron was laid over the upper parts of the much earlier Marlin's Wynd, the remains of which can be seen inside the building. Important in the history of Edinburgh and the story of Scotland the Tron amply fills a strategic position on the Royal Mile close to the site of the old salt Tron or public weighbeam from which derives its name. The tower and spiral provide a landmark on the famous skyline of the Old Town."

You can't help but smile when you see the World's End photographs. (1143,1147)

The rock structure in photograph 1162 provides a sky's eye view of the Royal Mile.

Towards the end of the mile sits the current Scottish Parliament Queensberry house. And what a site it is. Its modern décor is unlike anything else in the city, bar none. (1183-1192) The Queen's Gallery and Palace at Holyrood is across the street. (1193, 1195) Once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, Holyrood remains a working palace today.

Lunch is eaten at Piemakers. This Great Britain favorite was named best takeout in Scotland the past three years.

Our Royal Mile history walk concludes and it's time for dinner. On the way I stop to photograph town at night. (1205, 1208) You can see the Edinburgh castle in the distance. (1211) Jennings is the oldest department store in the world. (1212, 1213)