Pictures of Edinburgh's Princes Street

Princes Street is Edinburgh's main street. You would think of a City's main street as a relatively wide street but Princes Street is just about average. It divides the Old Town from the New Town It is not really considered to be in the New Town. Its original name was St Giles Street but changed its name after King George III's sons.

Princes Street is possibly one of the most beautiful streets in the world It benefits not only from a spectacular panorama but from its busy commercial status. Few streets have the fortunate setting Princes Street has.

On the right hand site there are some of the most renowned shops (such as Jenners) while on the left there are the Princes Street Gardens, the Old Town and the Castle Rock This is what makes Edinburgh's City Center so unique. You can escape the rush of the city in an instant and enjoy the peace and quiet of a park.

Originally, Princes Street was a residential area The wealthy class of Edinburgh had chosen it for its panoramic view: the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle. One of the reasons the Old Town was preserved so well is because the rich didn't want their home views spoiled by shops, so the Old Town was never touched.

Gradually, Princes Street became a commercial one becoming the busy shopping street it is today.

Picture taken from the Princes Mall area looking towards the Scottish Parliament, Ramsay Garden and Edinburgh Castle. Ramsay Garden is Sir Patrick Geddes' property. The flats benefit from an incredible view. The price of flats in Ramsay Garden can reach up to 1m sterling pounds. However, during the roughly 20 Military Tattoos displayed in August its residents might regret the fact that they live there.

Walking towards Scott Monument along Princes Street. The dark neo-gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott is the world's largest monument ever to be built in memory of a writer.

In the summer the area is highly populated with pipers playing for a penny or a pint of beer LOL. Although tiring, it can be a very profitable business. Unfortunately, it attracts pipers that could better spend their time in learning how to play. They call it the "City of Spires" for real. Picture taken from the middle of Princes Street looking towards the Balmoral Hotel, Scott Monument and Nelson's Monument, three of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks.

The 200 ft tall Monument is a collection of figures from Scott's novels and from Scottish History. The statue of Sir Walter Scott is white and represents him with his favourite dog. Jenners As someone once said London has Harrods, New York has Bloomingdales, Edinburgh has Jenners. Outline of St Giles Cathedral, one of Edinburgh's most striking skyline shapes. Walking towards the Balmoral Hotel at sunset In the evening Princes Street gradually empties leaving room to an unusual silence.

This is how Princes Street looks like during the Edinburgh Festival and in the summertime in general. Fortunately, the Princes Street Gardens are just across the street, offering escape from the City's livelihood.

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