Photos: Pretzelles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rhododendrites, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Daniel Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Pretzelles, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rhododendrites, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Daniel Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Scott Monument and the story of Princes Street
Your local guide
Duncan Wallace
View profile
Highlights
- A Gothic spire built for a writer
- Princes Street's one-sided building line
- Why the street faces the gardens
- Dark sandstone against the sky
- A monument unlike any other in the city
About this tour
This session looks up at the Scott Monument before walking a stretch of Princes Street itself, the street built along the edge of the old loch. You see the monument's dark Gothic spire from below and the unusual one-sided run of buildings along Princes Street. Duncan explains why the monument honours a writer and how the street ended up shaped the way it is.
After a short sound check at the monument's base, the session walks a short stretch of the street, leaving time for questions about both. Duncan answers as you go and sends a short note afterwards on the view from the monument's upper levels for anyone visiting yourself.
It suits anyone curious about Edinburgh's literary connections, and works well as a short addition to a longer New Town or Old Town session. It also appeals to architecture fans.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Edinburgh before heading out.
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The Scott Monument's base 15 min
The camera looks up at the Victorian Gothic monument from street level, its spire built from dark sandstone. Duncan explains why it was built for a novelist rather than a monarch or general.
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Princes Street 15 min
Turning along Princes Street, the camera takes in the shops on one side and the gardens on the other. Duncan points out how the street's one-sided building line came about.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Edinburgh: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Cullen skink and Old Town, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in London time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Edinburgh, showing you The Scott Monument's base and Princes Street live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Edinburgh live with my phone. I stand below the monument before walking the street.
Times shown in London time (GMT)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sat 31 Oct · 10 seats left From 20,00 €
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