Over the years, countless writers have lived and worked in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. If you’re a fan of literature, try our walk around the streets of the city, stopping at all the important sites.
Our tour starts at St Giles’ Cathedral in the centre of town. Find the plaque commemorating the life of Robert Louis Stevenson (famous for writing Treasure Island). He was born in Edinburgh and attended the University here. His body isn’t here now though – he’s buried in Samoa where he lived the final years. The huge west window of the Cathedral is inspired by the works of perhaps Scotland’s most famous poet Robert Burns.
- Take a wander along to the beautiful buildings of the University of Edinburgh. Many noteworthy people were educated here since 1583, including some famous writers such as: David Hume (historian and philosopher), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), J. M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan) and Robert Louis Stevenson (mentioned above). More recent graduates include Ian Rankin (the modern crime novelist and creator of the Inspector Rebus novels) and Anthony McCall Smith (writer of the best-selling No.1 Ladies Detective Agency set in Botswana and a newer series of books set right here Edinburgh.)
- Nearby on St Mary’s Street (other side of the South Bridge) is a plaque commemorating the visit in 1773 of Dr Johnson, the famous author of the first authoritative dictionary of the English language.
- Come back past the University and, nestled between Lawnmarket and the Mound, is the charming Lady Stair’s House and Writers’ Museum, so called because in 1719 it became the home of the Countess of Stair. It was presented to the city in 1907 and now houses collections relating to the lives and works of Burns, Scott and Stevenson.
- Take a walk down Chambers Street (also in the block behind the main University buildings) and you’ll find a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Sir Walter Scott in 1771. Famous for writing books such as Waverley, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe, Scott is perhaps the most celebrated Scottish writer in Edinburgh today. Scott never wandered far from here. He spent much of his childhood just a couple of blocks south of here at 25 George Square (also marked with a plaque) and then went to the University of Edinburgh.
- If you want to follow Sir Walter’s story around the city, take a walk up the hill, via George IV Bridge. On the way you’ll pass the National Library of Scotland. Stop in and take a look at the many original copies of important pieces of Scottish literature.
- Once you’ve found your way to the top, cross over Princes Street (one of the main roads of north Edinburgh) and find Castle Street. At number 39 is a plaque and a seated statue of Sir Walter Scott above the door. (If you take a look at number 30 you’ll also see a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows.)
- Back on Princes Street again you’ll find the road dominated by the huge monument to Sir Walter Scott. He’s shown with his dog under a 200-foot high canopy, surrounded by 64 characters from his many books. See, he’s everywhere!
- At the end of our tour, carry on down Princes Street and Waterloo Place until it turns into Regent Road. Here on the right we meet again Robert Burns and his memorial.
You’ll probably be tired after all that walking and hill climbing. Stop off in one of Edinburgh’s many bars or pubs for a dram of whisky and some haggis. If you’re visiting on 25 January, you’ll be able to celebrate Burns night with the locals.
Photo of Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh originally posted by jig o’dance
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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Tags: culture, Edinburgh, UK
About the author
Steve Slack is a writer and researcher based in London. He’s most often to be found either in a museum or in the bar. Or even museums which have bars. He writes about the wonderful world of south London for www.dulwichonview.org.uk.
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