Grassmarket - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Street Markets

Old Ruins

About Grassmarket

The Grassmarket is one of the oldest parts of the city, and although the architecture has changed the layout of its open space retains its historic character. It was used as a market from the 14th century, with cattle fairs, horse fairs and corn being bought and sold in its wide open space. But this also made it suitable for public executions, with the last hanging taking place here in 1784.

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Activities Around

Attractions Near Grassmarket

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a tourist attraction located in Outlook Tower on the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile close to Edinburgh Castle. The original attraction was founded by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short in 1835 and was exhibited on Calton Hill. Outlook Tower has been a museum since the late 1890s and is currently home to many interactive exhibits, including the original Camera Obscura.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard

0.21km from Grassmarket

Greyfriars Kirkyard is the historic graveyard surrounding the Greyfriars Kirk church, dating to the 1500s, and is rumoured to be among the most haunted graveyards in the world. The parish and graveyard are named for the defunct Franciscan friary on the site whose friars wore grey habits. The graveyard has seen many historic events take place within its grounds and is the site of not only historic resting places but heart-warming tales and bone-chilling ghost stories.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street

0.23km from Grassmarket

Victoria Street was built between 1829-34 as part of a series of improvements to the Old Town, with the aim of improving access around the city. Built between 1829 and 1834, this street is the brainchild of architect Thomas Hamilton, the one who masterminded Edinburgh’s network of neo-classical wonders. It was now gently curved and adorned with colourful shopfronts, is indeed a much loved spot for tourist photos, postcards and TV adverts.

Greyfriars Kirk

Greyfriars Kirk

0.25km from Grassmarket

Greyfriars Kirk is one of the most famous churches in Edinburgh where you'll find the famous Greyfriars Bobby buried. It is a Protestant church, built between 1602 and 1620, on the former site of a Franciscan monastery, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

0.27km from Grassmarket

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress dominating the skyline of Edinburgh. It is located on top of Castle Rock, a volcanic lava rock formed 350 million years ago. Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most and the United Kingdom's second most-visited paid attraction. The castle has undergone 26 sieges in its 1,100 year history. It is beleived to be the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world.

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Edinburgh

Edinburgh

97 attractions

Capital city of Scotland. Edinburgh is Scotland's second-most populous city and the seventh-most populous city in the United Kingdom. It is the second-largest financial centre in the United Kingdom, and UK's second-most visited tourist destination.

Location of Grassmarket

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For more information about Grassmarket, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassmarket

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