Princes Street Gardens: The Centerpiece of Edinburgh’s City Centre

In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, stretching from Waverly Bridge in the East to Lothian Road in the West, is Princes Street Gardens. This spectacular example of public space in Edinburgh rests on the site of a drained loch, which was in turns the source of Medieval Edinburgh’s fresh water, its sewage system, and a trial site for witches (if they floated, they were guilty, if they drowned, the accused were found innocent of witchcraft…a little too late to be helpful).

Looking down onto Princes Street Gardens from Edinburgh Castle, note the railway transecting the gardens

[Image credit: anotherformofrelief]

The Topography Of Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens is an expansive public space which features walking paths and grass lawns in the summer, where locals gather to enjoy the long hours of Edinburgh’s summer sunlight and meet up with friends. The eastern end of the gardens is primarily field space, and the garden is broken in half by the Mound and the Scottish National Galleries (part of a huge and recent renovation which builds restaurants and gallery entrances directly into the side of the Mound).

Princes Street Gardens, locals and tourists alike soak up the long hours of summer sunshine

On the other side of the Mound, beneath Edinburgh Castle, there are several fountains and pathways. Train tracks run through the garden, emerging from underground and continuing through the gardens until they reach Waverly Station in the East: Edinburgh’s major transportation hub.

The unique feature of Princes Street Gardens is that it is set deep into the earth, with rich, fertile soil accumulated over decades (if not centuries) of being used as the sewage system for the Old City. This results in beautiful foliage and stunning flowers which bloom in abundance thanks to Scotland’s wet weather and fertile soil.

[Image credit: duncan]

Princes Street Gardens, Summer & Winter

In the summer, the western end of Princes Street Gardens features small fairs and a carousel, great rides for teens and children alike, with access to the old city. During the winter, an ice rink is set up in the east end of the garden, below a German Market offering seasonal treats and trinkets.

Princes Street Gardens is transformed to a winter wonderland every December

There are a number of parks in Edinburgh, but Princes Street Garden is the crown jewel which offers the experience of the outdoors as well as the convenience of its city center location.