Pictures of Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens were once a lake (or loch) called Nor' Loch The Loch, which had been the trash dump of Edinburgh for centuries was drained in order to gain easier access from New Town to Old Town. Later, the Nor' Loch was transformed into the beautiful Princes Street Gardens.

Now the Princes Street Gardens are people's every day refuge at lunchtime or whenever they want to get away from the noise and city madness. One can relax on the grass and wait for the One O'clock Gun to fire, or simply admire the view or even feed the countless pigeons.

The Princes Street Gardens are divided by the Mound in East Princes Street Gardens and West Princes Street Gardens In the East Princes Street Gardens there's the Scott Monument, the dark neo-gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott and the world's largest monument ever to be built in memory of a writer.

Secluded behind the row of trees in the Gardens runs the railway It was introduced through Princes Street Gardens in 1846 and due to the way they were made they did not affect the Gardens in any way. This is one of the most impressive things in Edinburgh City Center: the railway was implemented in such way, never to disturb the peace of the Gardens. Had it not been for the sound of the train engines, you would never know a railway passes through.

If it's a nice day then it's worth spending it in the gardens There isn't much to do as such but if you want to read or spend time in the open, that's the place to go to. There are small shops that sell ice-cream, rolls and sandwiches but you're better off if you bring your own as they're very expensive.

The Gardens Edinburgh Castle Bank of Scotland The Gardens

This is how Edinburgh Castle looks from the Princes Street Gardens. It's obvious how majestic it really is. It's one of the most impressive things you could find in a city. The Castle is built on top of Castle Rock, an extinct volcano.

The Bank of Scotland building is one of the spires often found in Edinburgh.

Looking from the top level of the Gardens you can see the Bank of Scotland as well as part of the Old Town on the left and the Scottish Parliament and Ramsay Garden to the right. The Scottish Parliament is currently located in the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall.
The Gardens Floral Clock The Gardens The Gardens

The Ross Fountain in the Princes Street Gardens is again a lovely place to sit down and admire the castle. It's the one spot in the gardens where you get the best view of Edinburgh Castle.

The famous Floral Clock in the Princes Street Gardens. It is made up from thousands of flower types and this year it was redone with the special occasion of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The Floral Clock is the oldest in the world. Its mechanism consists in a mechanical cuckoo calling the hour.

Looking along West Princes Street Gardens.

Looking along East Princes Street Gardens On the right you can see the foot of Scott Monument.
The Gardens Old town from Princes Street Gardens The Gardens Ramsay Garden

Looking along the top level of the Gardens. During the summer the Ross Band stage in the Princes Street Gardens is used as a venue for different shows and concerts. One is likely to get a free sample of whiskey to warm up in the cold summer nights.

Looking towards the Old Town and the North Bridge. This is the view the wealthy class of Edinburgh used to get when Princes Street was a residential area.

Lovely green picture looking down towards Princes Street Gardens on a Friday evening when everyone was out in pubs.

The Ramsay Garden and the Camera Obscura (Outlook Tower built in the 17th century) in the back as well as the Edinburgh Festival head quarters, the "Hub".
Edinburgh Castle

Allan Ramsay watching over Edinburgh Castle. In the front, the upper part of the Floral Clock.

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