Edinburgh City Chambers, Edinburgh
Today, it may be hard to imagine, but Edinburgh鈥檚 City Chambers, the official meeting place for the City Council and its predecessors, originally wasn鈥檛 even built for politics. Indeed, back in the 18th century, it was meant to be the Royal Exchange. Designed by John Adam, with some modifications by John Fergus, the project saw several Edinburgh鈥檚 closes鈥攖hose tight, shadowy medieval alleyways鈥攊ncorporated into the site. Instead of ruthlessly demolishing them, they simply sealed them off, creating a hidden underground world that only many years later was reopened to the public as 鈥淭he Real Mary King鈥檚 Close.鈥� Ghost stories included at no extra charge...
Out front, things look stately enough: a courtyard opening onto the High Street, with elegant arches that almost feel like a stage set. Right in the centre stands a notable statue by John Steell of Alexander the Great wrestling his famously feisty horse, Bucephalus. You don鈥檛 need to know your ancient history to appreciate the drama鈥攊t鈥檚 basically man versus beast in bronze...
But step closer, and you鈥檒l see the Chambers aren鈥檛 just about old council business. A little Hollywood glamour crept in thanks to the Edinburgh Award, which honours outstanding citizens who鈥檝e made a lasting mark on the city. Recipients get their names on a plaque inside, and one very special winner left a magical trace behind.
That would be J.K. Rowling, who picked up the honour in 2008. As part of the ceremony, her hands were cast in bronze and set right here in the courtyard. Fans flock to press their palms into hers, hoping maybe some of that wizarding spark will rub off. In a building where hidden closes lie below, grand statues rise above, and Harry Potter鈥檚 creator left her literal handprint, Edinburgh City Chambers is as much a stage set as it is council hall.
Out front, things look stately enough: a courtyard opening onto the High Street, with elegant arches that almost feel like a stage set. Right in the centre stands a notable statue by John Steell of Alexander the Great wrestling his famously feisty horse, Bucephalus. You don鈥檛 need to know your ancient history to appreciate the drama鈥攊t鈥檚 basically man versus beast in bronze...
But step closer, and you鈥檒l see the Chambers aren鈥檛 just about old council business. A little Hollywood glamour crept in thanks to the Edinburgh Award, which honours outstanding citizens who鈥檝e made a lasting mark on the city. Recipients get their names on a plaque inside, and one very special winner left a magical trace behind.
That would be J.K. Rowling, who picked up the honour in 2008. As part of the ceremony, her hands were cast in bronze and set right here in the courtyard. Fans flock to press their palms into hers, hoping maybe some of that wizarding spark will rub off. In a building where hidden closes lie below, grand statues rise above, and Harry Potter鈥檚 creator left her literal handprint, Edinburgh City Chambers is as much a stage set as it is council hall.
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Edinburgh City Chambers on Map
Sight Name: Edinburgh City Chambers
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Edinburgh Pub Crawl
Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Harry Potter Trail
Years after the release of the last Harry Potter book and movie, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, the fact that J.K. Rowling penned some of the world's favorite wizarding stories in Scotland's capital, where she still lives now, makes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Famous Squares and Streets Walking Tour
Being in Edinburgh, it is only natural to be curious about the avenues, boulevards, and streets leading to (or stemming from) the city's picturesque squares. There, you can find a copious amount of historic and religious sites, fashion stores, classy restaurants, and marketplaces, not to mention some hidden gems, exploring which is well worth the time spent.
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
One of Edinburgh's most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour
The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is one of the city's busiest tourist destinations. It runs down a slope, from the famed Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey, for almost exactly a mile and thus got its name, coined in 1920. The succession of streets forming the Royal Mile is lined with numerous shops, pubs,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour
If you like cities with a split personality, Edinburgh is definitely one such, featuring a striking mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Indeed, here medieval grit meets Enlightenment wit, and every cobbled incline has a story to tell鈥攚hether your legs are ready for it or not. Perched (or more like wedged) across volcanic hills, the city has been Scotland鈥檚 capital since the 15th century... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The historical center of Edinburgh, popularly known as the Old Town, is indeed the oldest part of the Scottish capital. Most of the buildings here, made of stone and characterized by numerous tall windows, have been around since the Middle Ages and are covered with soot, left over from the days long gone, when houses were heated with hard-coal and wood. Hence the prevailing gray color in the area.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 12 Pubs On and Around Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a vibrant city with abundant nightlife and no shortage of places to go after dusk. The Royal Mile alone, in the very heart of Edinburgh, is laden with character spots craving to be discovered by the first time visitors to the city. This is the highlight of some of the most notable bars...
19 Best Pubs in New Town, Edinburgh
A guide to the pubs that make up the area that is called Edinburgh's New Town. A description about what you can expect from each of the locations in the directory. A fantastic directory if you are a tourist or even a...
Scottish Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Scottish Things to Buy in Edinburgh
The popularity of Scotland stretches far beyond its geographical borders, fueled, in large part, by Hollywood's interest in the Scottish theme - Sean Connery (as James Bond), "Braveheart", etc. Indeed, the cultural spectrum of this part of Britain is enormous and comprises great...