Hidden Gems of Fairytale Edinburgh

On a daily basis I have to pinch myself knowing I’m so lucky to live in a city as magical as Edinburgh. Turn a corner, head down a dark close, walk down a cobbled street and at any moment you can be transported to another time like you’ve walked straight into the page of a fairytale. A page from one of those hardback books that you slowly take from the shelf of an old bookshop and blow off the dust after the gleaming gold writing on the spine had caught your eye.

Lose yourself in this wee tour discovering 5 of my favourite hidden gems of Edinburgh.

Writers’ Museum, Lady Stairs Close

Let’s start at the top of the cobbled Royal Mile. Just down from the Castle, turn left into one of the narrow, dark closes and see it open out onto a courtyard housing arguably the prettiest building In Edinburgh, the Writers’ Museum. With its beautiful turret and Juliet balcony it's now a place where you can catch a glimpse into the lives of 3 of Scotland’s most famous writers: Robert Burns (who stayed in a house opposite on his first visit to Edinburgh), and Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson who both lived in the city. I was lucky enough to be walking through here using it as a shortcut when a snow flurry started earlier this year, but I’m still dreaming of capturing it under a blanket of snow.

Chessels Court

Take a wander further down the Royal Mile past the Worlds End Pub and dive though an opening on the right where you’d never expect to find a hidden treasure. You’ll come to Chessels Court where you’ll stumble across this beautiful house with its stone steps, pretty windows and where the owner has lovingly cultivated the ivy into a romantic message. The cutest hidden spot in Edinburgh for sure.

Circus Lane

Next take a stroll through the beautiful symmetry and curved terraces of leafy Georgian New Town heading for the villagey vibe of Stockbridge with all its artisan bakeries, cheese shops and coffeeshops and turn into the prettiest street in the city. Its a gorgeous, cobbled, curved lane lined with pretty houses with the owners having made a labour of love with the planting. In Spring and Summer you’ll be in for a treat with houses adorned with cascading lilac wisteria and pink roses but in winter too it has a magical charm with fairy lights intertwining branches and the vintage street lanterns all lit up.

Ramsay Gardens

Next back up the Mound and winding, cobbled Castlehill to the charming Ramsay Gardens with its Narnia-esque street lanterns, stone steps, curved railings and unique architecture. I love this walk back into Old Town as it always feel like you're approaching somewhere out of this time.

Victoria Terrace

Finally take a wander to the gentle curve of Victoria Terrace. From up here you’re standing above and have great views right over Victoria Street, Edinburgh’s most photographed winding, cobbled street. Lined with its colourful buildings which are old Flemish in style it’s one of Edinburgh's real jewels and no wonder is famed for being the inspiration behind J.K.Rowling’s cobblestoned shopping area for the wizarding world, Diagon Alley.

So there's just a wee glimpse into a few of Edinburgh's fairytale streets and courtyards. But just keep wandering and exploring and you'll discover magic all around you in this city.

Please let me know in the comments if I've missed out one of your favourite corners of the city and if you've enjoyed this blog you can subscribe for more of my Edinburgh insider tips.