Discover Edinburgh through art with our City Walking Tour. This podcast series travels along the historic Royal Mile by exploring stories and places connected to Scottish artworks in the National Galleries of Scotland collection.
Listen using the markers on the map. You can also find the individual episodes below and or download them as mp3 files.
Dr Elsie Maud Inglis Hospice, 219 High Street
St Giles Cathedral, High Street
The Witches Well, Castlehill
Luckenbooths, 253 High Street
Bailie Fyfe’s Close, 107 High Street
Old Playhouse Court, Canongate
Episode one
This episode explores the sites of the original Dr Elsie Maud Inglis Hospice, St Giles Cathedral, and John Duncan’s Witches Well.
Each audio clip can be listened to individually or as part of the route along the Royal Mile. You can begin the tour at any site.
Dr Elsie Maud Inglis Hospice, 219 High Street
The Dr Elsie Maud Inglis Hospice is one of the many positive contributions Inglis made to the city of Edinburgh. Blue Badge guide Hannah Mackay Tait discusses Inglis’ life and how she came to establish the hospice, which helped to create the legacy she has in Edinburgh today.
St Giles Cathedral, High Street
St Giles Cathedral is a long-standing Edinburgh landmark on the Royal Mile. Dendrochronologist Dr Coralie Mills speaks about a surprising discovery at St Giles which revealed a new story about its history.
The Witches Well, Castlehill
The Witches Well by John Duncan offers space to reflect on the persecutions which took place at the site. Claire Mitchell QC and author Zoe Venditozzi, who co-host The Witches of Scotland podcast, explain the context of The Witches Well and why they are interested in it.
Episode two
This episode explores the sites of the Luckenbooths, Bailie Fyfe’s Close and Old Playhouse Court.
Each audio clip can be listened to individually or as part of the route along the Royal Mile. You can begin the tour at any site.
Luckenbooths, 253 High Street
The Luckenbooths shops was once Edinburgh’s retail hub. Local historian Andy Arthur explores the site of the Luckenbooths through the years, explaining how Old Town commerce has changed since the 15th century.
Bailie Fyfe’s Close, 107 High Street
Bailie Fyfe’s Close has had a vast number of residents over the centuries, each with their own story to tell. Writer and researcher Diarmid Mogg uncovers some of these stories, and what the lives of the people who once lived here were like.
Old Playhouse Court, Canongate
Old Playhouse Court was once home to the Canongate Theatre, bustling with audience members and performers. Exhibition designer and modelmaker Stuart Smith-Gordon explores Edinburgh’s early theatres, and what it would have been like to attend a play at the Canongate Theatre.
