The Royal Mile

[Spc. Scott]

Not sure how much it might help you but I found this to be a pretty neat little guide.

http://www.edinburgh-royalmile.com/c...le-closes.html

[Radge]

The situation with people flogging tourist tat (cheap, tacky goods) in UK Cities is not confined to Edinburgh, infact, I reckon 'Auld Reekie' has got off lighter than most (although I find my teeth audibly grinding when I spy the aforementioned cheap rubbish, and I would have the tat-monger shop owner arrested for crimes against good taste and Scottish culture ). But don't stick to the typical tourist trails (by all means do them first and foremost) get out and about, Edinburgh is an accessible city as it's quite wee. The Scottish Tourist Board is spot on, as tourism is one of Scotland's main money-spinners, so use them to find the good-stuff out there.

Don't expect to see that many natives kilted. 'Everyday' cheaper kilts are not big business in Scotland at present. The kilt is viewed as a serious bit of clothing by most and for special occasions (as an 8-yard heavyweight as most of this site know ain't cheap) and wouldn't likely be worn whilst nippin' oot for a fish supper or to see Hibs banjo the Jambo's. To be fair this is the attitude I had before I came across this site!

P.S.the Parliament building was designed by a Catalan architect (????), not a Scot (?????), and the design was approved democratically by about half a dozen suits from the Goverment including some bizzum who presents a current affairs programme. Mind you they wanted to put a motorway down Princes Street in the '60's