Victoria Street and the Grassmarket

Victoria Street and the Grassmarket form a pair of linked streets in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, running down from George IV Bridge below the castle rock. Victoria Street is a curved, cobbled terrace lined with brightly painted shopfronts, small independent shops, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants, and its upper level walkway gives views over the lower street. At the bottom, a flight of steps leads down into the Grassmarket, a wide rectangular market place that was historically used for livestock sales and public executions. Today the Grassmarket is lined with pubs, restaurants and independent shops, with outdoor seating in warm weather and the castle looming overhead. The area is free to enter and open at all hours, though most shops keep hours of around 10:00 to 18:00. A walk through both streets takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on how long visitors spend browsing or stopping for food. Photographers favour the top of Victoria Street, where the curve of coloured facades draws the eye, and the Grassmarket's open square gives wide views of the castle rock above. Mornings are quietest for photography, before shops open and tour groups arrive, while afternoons and evenings in summer are busy, especially during the August festivals. The streets are reached on foot down from George IV Bridge or along the Royal Mile, and Lothian Buses stop on Johnston Terrace above. The cobbles are uneven, and Victoria Street is steep, so comfortable shoes are useful. Visitors who enjoy shopping often find items such as gifts, knitwear, cheese and sweets in the independent shops, and the Grassmarket hosts a regular market on selected days. Pubs along the square are popular in the evening, and the area is lively on weekends.