Places to Visit in Scotland
- Princes Street, Edinburgh (Page 2)
Background
The open outlook of the Princes Street Gardens and the castle described on the first page> of this feature create a unique atmosphere, but the shops too are important, both for the residents of Edinburgh and surrounding areas and for tourists with little time to spare. However, unlike nearby George Street, which has retained much of its elegance, the shops in Princes Street are mainly multiple department stores, with a number of smaller retailers in between. Over the years, a number of modern developments have taken place which are out of character with Georgian Edinburgh. Nevertheless, the shops are well worth a visit and the notes below will help you to make the most of your time.
General Register Office of Scotland
The first building at the east end of Princes Street is the imposing Register House which was designed by Robert Adam in 1774. This houses the Public Records of Scotland and even if you are not searching for an ancestor's will, the magnificent domed rotunda inside is worth a look. Behind and to the side, is New Register House (pictured here) - the Mecca for those researching their family tree as it contains all the Old Parish Records of births and marriages (though these days all the data is also available online at Scottish Origins>.
Princes Street Shops
From time to time, the shops in Princes Street change hands, but the notes below cover the most significant ones in early 2001:
- Waterstone's in the first block of shops, is a quality booksellers. They have three shops in Edinburgh and this is the smallest one.
- Disney Store is not perhaps what you were looking for in the capital of Scotland - but it's popular with the local children.
- Old Waverley Hotel is a popular hostelry with tourists.
- Jenners (pictured here) is at the corner of South Saint David Street - named after the patron saint of Wales. That road leads up to St Andrew Square, named after the patron saint of Scotland. Jenners is not just a large department store, it is an Edinburgh institution. The rambling building is a delight to wander through and you will see not only the goods on display but many of the formidable Edinburgh ladies who often gravitate to the tearoom overlooking Princes Street. The staff in Jenners are of the "old school" - full of gentle courtesy and service.
- Mount Royal Hotel is also popular with tourists as it is centrally located and overlooks the gardens opposite. The Princes Dining Rooms overlook the gardens and castle and if you can't get into the Jenners tearoom, this is another option.
- Hanover Street continues the connection with King George III and his Germanic origins - at the junction of Hanover Street and George Street is a statue of King George IV who visited Edinburgh in 1822.
- Visitors may not have too much interest in the Mothercare department store but a little further along is the high class clothing shop Jaeger. Just make sure you have a high credit limit on your plastic payment card.
- Marks & Spencer, also known as "M&S" or "Marks", is a well known chain selling clothing and food. M&S have branches throughout the UK and also in places like Paris and Hong Kong.
- Hector Russell is a long-established kilt maker but you can also buy Scottish souvenirs there.
- Frederick Street is named after Frederick, Prince of Wales and the father of King George III. Frederick died before his father, George II, and so it was his son George III who ascended the throne in 1760.
- If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss Thornton's who produce delicious confectionery, including whisky truffles!
- The Royal Overseas League is a club with reasonable membership fees which has a reciprocal arrangement with a London club.
- Boots is a large chemist (drug store) which has a wider range of goods than you might expect from a such an outlet.
- Debenhams is part of a chain of departmental stores, somewhat similar to M&S but it has more "store within a store" boutiques as well as their own brands.
- 100 Princes Street used to be a house where Sir Walter Scott>, Dugald Stewart, William Playfair and Sydney Smith and others met to have tea.
- Castle Street (see picture here) is well named as it is directly opposite the castle.
- The attractive wooden facade at the corner of Castle Street and Princes Street is somewhat at variance with the inside - a Burger King fast food outlet!
- Virgin Records is a large music store and competes with HMV a few yards along Princes Street. In between, is another Waterstone's bookshop. This is larger than the one at the east end of Princes Street and carries a good selection of books on Scotland as well as all the usual subjects.
- South Charlotte Street was named after King George III's wife, Charlotte, who was a princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It leads to the elegant Georgian buildings of Charlotte Square. The official residence of the Scottish First Minister is on the north side of the square and the National Trust for Scotland occupy a large section of the south side.
- Yet another fast food outlet can be found in the next block on Prince Street- the ubiquitous MacDonalds.
- Edinburgh Woollen Mill is one of a chain of budget priced stores where you can get that Arran Sweater or tartan rug.
- Financial services companies come to the fore in this block with Alliance and Leicester and Royal Bank of Scotland as well as the US company American Express.
- The final retail outlet, dominating the corner of Princes Street and Hope Street is the large departmental store Frasers. If you have been shopping till you drop, you may find the taxi rank on this corner a welcome sight!
Panoramic Views of Prince Street
If you would like to see some 360 degree panoramic views taken in various locations in Princes Street, you can see them at the Edinburgh Tour> of a site called "The Gen".
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Princes Street Gardens
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