ON THE TRAIL
MYSTERY & MAGIC IN EDINBURGH
There are plenty of strange and thrilling places to delve into the magical side of the Scottish capital, finds Megan Gaen
T
he Scottish capital of Edinburgh is synonymous with history, culture and beauty. It’s a city steeped in tradition,
with its annual Military Tattoo and the daily One o’clock Gun from the Castle, and a modern cultural hotspot thanks to the Fringe Festival. However, these aren’t the only experiences the city has to offer. Take a wander through the city’s Old
Town, not just along the famous Royal Mile but the roads surrounding and below it, to discover the history of Edinburgh beyond the tourist favorites. This trail involves less than 20 minutes
of walking and a total distance of less than a mile — perfect for dodging unpredictable Scottish weather. For fans of history who want to discover a deeper and darker side of the city, this is a journey not to be missed.
The Witches’ Well As you reach the top of
Castlehill on the Royal Mile, turn to the right to see The Witches’ Well. A plaque, featuring a bronze relief of witches’ heads entangled by a snake, commemorates the hundreds of accused witches burned at the stake there between the 15th and 18th centuries. In the 16th century, more women were killed on Castlehill than any other place in Scotland. As they’d been accused of witchcraft, they were denied a proper burial, so their remains were left where they died.
18 • postcards
The Witchery Just a few steps from
The Witches’ Well is The Witchery. Occupying the 16th-century Boswell Court, this spectacular restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh has served quality Scottish produce for nearly 50 years in its oak- paneled dining room and the candlelit Secret Garden space. The romantic interior represents important parts of Scottish history, from the arms of the Duke of Gordon, Keeper of the Keys to Edinburgh Castle, to the gilded ceilings based on those in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
