Princes Street

Princes Street

Princes Street is the main shopping street in Edinburgh city centre. It is the southmost street of the New Town. It is roughly a mile in length, reaching from Lothian Road in the West to Leith Street in the East. The street is mostly closed to private cars, and has few buildings on the south side, allowing views of the Old Town and the castle and the valley between.

When the New Town was being constructed the valley contained a loch called the Nor'Loch. After it was drained the area was converted into public gardens called Princes Street Gardens. These gardens contain an amphitheatre, the Scott Monument, a war memorial and a floral clock.

On the street's North side there are a number of department stores, including the famous Jenners Department Store.

Also on the street's south side (as well as the gardens) are the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland at the foot of The Mound, Waverley station and the Balmoral Hotel.