Edinburgh's Royal Mile: 10 Hidden Historical Gems Most Tourists Miss

Just steps from the bustling Royal Mile lies one of my favorite retreats in all of Edinburgh. Dunbar's Close Garden is a meticulously reconstructed 17th-century formal garden that most tourists walk right past, mistaking its narrow entrance for just another alleyway.

The first time I stumbled upon it, I'd been searching for a quiet spot to rest my feet after a morning of exploration. What I found was a time capsule—immaculately trimmed hedges, gravel pathways, and wooden benches nestled among flowering plants arranged in traditional patterns. The garden follows the same layout wealthy Edinburgh residents would have enjoyed during the time of Charles II.

Last summer, my tennis buddy Mark and his wife joined me for a weekend in Edinburgh. We packed a simple picnic lunch, grabbed a bottle of local gin (Edinburgh has become quite the gin hub), and spent a blissful hour in this hidden oasis while crowds shuffled past just meters away, completely unaware.

While tourists flock to the obvious witch-related sites, few notice the small bronze fountain on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. This modest memorial marks a dark chapter in Scottish history—the spot commemorates over 300 women burned as witches on Castle Hill.

I first learned about this site from a local historian I met at a pub near my hotel. He explained that the memorial was created in 1894 but the witch trials themselves occurred primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries. The plaque and fountain serve as a sobering reminder of religious hysteria and misogyny.

The site isn't flashy or prominently marked, which is why most visitors walk right past it. But standing there, looking out over the same city views these women would have seen in their final moments, creates a powerful connection to Edinburgh's complex past.

If you're interested in Edinburgh's darker history, I recommend picking up a copy of Edinburgh history book before your trip. It provided me with fascinating context that transformed how I experienced the city's historical sites.

Tucked away in Lady Stair's Close is a literary treasure that celebrates Scotland's three greatest writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. What makes this spot special isn't just the museum itself (though the personal artifacts are fascinating), but the often-overlooked Makars' Court outside.

The flagstones of this courtyard are inscribed with quotations from Scottish writers spanning 600 years. It's like walking across a living anthology of Scottish literature. During my last visit with my son (who's developed quite an interest in street art), we spent nearly an hour just photographing our favorite quotes.

The museum itself is housed in a 1622 building, and while it's free to enter, many tourists miss it entirely. Inside, you'll find Burns' writing desk, Scott's childhood rocking horse, and the ring given to Stevenson by a Samoan chief.

I always carry my pocket notebook to jot down particularly moving quotes I discover. On my last visit, I filled three pages with Scottish wisdom I wanted to remember. If you appreciate literature, this hidden gem offers a profound connection to Scotland's literary soul.

While not entirely unknown, many visitors still miss the opportunity to explore the Real Mary King's Close, a remarkably preserved 17th-century street now buried beneath the Royal Mile. Unlike other attractions that reconstruct history, this is the genuine article—actual homes and businesses where Edinburgh residents lived and worked.

What makes this site extraordinary is how it illuminates the daily lives of ordinary people rather than royalty or nobility. The narrow close (alleyway) was partially demolished and built over when the Royal Exchange was constructed in the 18th century, effectively preserving this slice of Edinburgh life.

My first visit was on a rainy afternoon in 2018. Our guide, dressed in period costume, shared stories of the plague that devastated the close's residents and the cramped conditions they endured. The most affecting moment came in a small room now filled with dolls and toys—offerings left by visitors after a psychic claimed to have encountered the spirit of a little girl named Annie who died of the plague.

Pro tip: Book your tickets online with the skip-the-line option to avoid disappointment, especially during summer months when wait times can exceed two hours. The tours fill quickly, and having your spot secured means one less thing to worry about.

Edinburgh is a city of levels, where narrow passageways often reveal unexpected views. Advocate's Close, dating from the 15th century, offers one of the Royal Mile's most photogenic vistas, yet many tourists walk right past its entrance.

This steep, narrow close was once home to prominent advocates (Scottish lawyers) and connects the Royal Mile to Cockburn Street below. What makes it special is the perfectly framed view of the Scott Monument and the city beyond. The perspective creates a sense of discovery—a secret Edinburgh revealed only to those curious enough to venture down these ancient pathways.

I've visited Edinburgh in all seasons, but there's something magical about summer evenings here when the light lingers until 10 PM. Last year, my son and I brought along a travel tripod and captured some stunning long-exposure shots of the close at dusk. The contrast between the ancient stonework in the foreground and the Victorian monument in the distance creates a perfect visual representation of Edinburgh's layered history.

After photographing the close, we discovered a tiny whisky bar tucked away at the bottom where we struck up a conversation with a local architect who pointed us toward several other hidden viewpoints nearby. This kind of serendipitous discovery is what makes exploring Edinburgh's closes so rewarding.

Tweeddale Court is easy to miss—its entrance on the Royal Mile is narrow and often overshadowed by more prominent attractions. Yet this close holds significant literary history and offers a peaceful retreat from the main thoroughfare's bustle.

The court was once home to Tweeddale House, built in 1576 for the Marquess of Tweeddale. Today, it houses the Scottish Book Trust, continuing the location's literary connections. But what truly fascinates me about this spot is its connection to publishing history—it was once the workplace of William Smellie, who printed the first Encyclopedia Britannica in 1768.

During my research before visiting, I found an excellent Edinburgh literary guide that highlighted this and other literary connections throughout the city. It transformed my appreciation of these seemingly ordinary spaces.

What I love most about Tweeddale Court is how it opens up unexpectedly into a spacious courtyard after the narrow entrance—a physical metaphor for how Edinburgh reveals itself gradually to those willing to explore beyond the obvious. The architectural details here span centuries, from medieval elements to Victorian additions.

In summer, the court sometimes hosts small book events and readings. During my last visit, I stumbled upon a poetry reading that ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.

Of all Edinburgh's hidden historical gems, Trunk's Close holds a special place in my heart. This narrow passage leads to Moubray House, one of the oldest surviving buildings on the Royal Mile, dating from around 1477. What makes this location extraordinary is that it represents one of the few remaining examples of how the Royal Mile looked before modernization.

The first time I discovered Trunk's Close, I was actually lost—trying to find my way back to the main street after exploring another close. What appeared to be a dead end suddenly revealed this architectural treasure. Moubray House has witnessed nearly 550 years of Scottish history, including the reign of James IV and the tumultuous periods that followed.

During my most recent visit, I brought along my audio guide which provided fascinating details about the building's history that I would have otherwise missed. The audio tour explained how Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, once lived here while working as a British spy before the 1707 Act of Union.

What strikes me about places like Trunk's Close is how they represent Edinburgh's remarkable historical continuity. While most cities have demolished their medieval structures, Edinburgh has incorporated them into its living fabric. Standing in this close, you can almost hear the echoes of centuries past—the merchants, writers, and ordinary citizens who walked these same stones.