Princes Street Gardens

Before this was a manicured park, it was the Nor Loch, a stagnant and foul-smelling body of water that served as a natural defense for Edinburgh Castle. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was used for everything from disposing of waste to trial-by-ordeal for suspected witches. By the 18th century, as the city expanded, the loch became an eyesore and a health hazard, prompting plans for its removal to make way for urban development. The draining process began in the late 1700s to facilitate the construction of the New Town. The earth excavated from the New Town's foundations was used to create 'The Mound', the artificial hill that now splits the gardens into East and West sections. By the mid-19th century, the area had been transformed into private gardens for the wealthy residents of Princes Street, though they were eventually opened to the public in 1876. Today, the gardens serve as the city's premier public space, hosting major events like the Edinburgh International Festival fireworks and the annual Christmas Market. The West Gardens are home to the iconic Ross Fountain and the world's oldest floral clock, while the East Gardens are dominated by the gothic spire of the Scott Monument. It remains a vital green lung connecting the two distinct halves of Scotland's capital and providing a stunning vantage point for the castle above.