Edinburgh’s Cockburn Street

Just off The Royal Mile, connecting Edinburgh’s ancient high street with Waverly Bridge, is the steep and winding Cockburn Street (stop giggling, it’s pronounced “Co-burn”). Lined with shops, restaurants, hostels, knick-knack stores and more, Cockburn Street is a place where the charm of this historic town lives hand in hand with its modern heritage.

Edinburgh's Cockburn Street on a gorgeous day

Several shops and restaurants open onto both Cockburn Street and the North Bridge, which spans Waverly Valley, while the western side of the street sports the famous Baked Potato Shop (where you can put any imaginable topping onto a baked potato and revel in its stodgy goodness) and small jewelery and t-shirt stores.

[image credit: 0olong]

Walking Down Cockburn Street

The street itself, as well as Hunter’s Square across the Royal Mile, is one of the prime areas for Edinburgh’s goth and emo teens to rove, particularly thanks to shops like Whiplash Trash and a few other retailers who cater to these teens’ more bizarre or esoteric clothing tastes with styles that are hard to find in high street chains.

Looking down on Cockburn Street coming from the Royal Mile

[image credit: Óscar Palmer]

Continuing on, you pass a number of small closes on either side; these small streets stretch like herringbones along the length of the Royal Mile, and you’ll find places like Fleshmarket Close, whose name harks back to the original purpose of the street. As Cockburn Street continues on, you’ll pass small grocery stores (full of local charm, then the prices are a sight higher than some of the major chains) and restaurants that cater to Edinburgh’s young and trendy wine bar crowd.

Unique little shops on Cockburn Street in the heart of Edinburgh

[image credit: contagiousmemes]

The foot of Cockburn Street is home to a more traditional pub (with live music) and entryway to steps that lead back up to the Royal Mile, as well as a store that sells cute, asian-style toys, and a traditional candy shop.

Cockburn Street is a charming and enticing street which is also a microcosm of Edinburgh as a whole, with its trendy shops and restaurants as well as some seamier elements. Walking down Cockburn Street can take five minutes or five hours, depending on where and for how long you stop, and it’s an experience not to be missed.