Wandering around Edinburgh this morning looking for a quiet shady spot reminded me of city walking in Florence – the sort where you move from place to place with frequent stops for coffees and ices.
As I’d arranged to visit a friend with an apartment nearby I was strolling up the Canongate section of the Royal Mile when I spotted the sign for Dunbar’s Close and thought it would be a good time to go in and explore the shady spaces there. What a treat!
A Quiet Hidden Gem just of the Royal Mile
This quiet hidden garden is easily missed by countless numbers of people walking up the Royal Mile. However it is probably one of the best examples of a medieval garden you will find in the city centre.
Several people had chosen to take a picnic lunch there, and I was wishing I’d done the same as it’s a real haven of peace and quiet among the city streets.
The garden is only a short walk from the Royal Mile and is a real hidden gem.


You can find Dunbar’s Close Garden at the bottom of the Royal Mile just past the Canongate Kirk. Follow the close off the Royal Mile next to the Christmas Shop and opposite the Canongate branch of Starbuck’s.
Coffee Stops in the Area.
Clarinda’s Tea Room Canongate
Starbucks Canongate
Cafe at the Palace Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Blog post updated March 2024