Grassmarket — Local services in City of Edinburgh

The Grassmarket is a historic market place and an event space in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. In relation to the rest of the city it lies in a hollow, well below surrounding ground levels.

The Grassmarket is located directly below Edinburgh Castle and forms part of one of the main east-west vehicle arteries through the city centre. It adjoins the Cowgate and Candlemaker Row at the east end, the West Bow (the lower end of Victoria Street) in the north-east corner, King's Stables Road to the north west and the West Port to the west. Leading off from the south-west corner is the Vennel, on the east side of which can still be seen some of the best surviving parts of the Flodden and Telfer town walls.

The view to the north, dominated by the castle, has long been a favourite subject of painters and photographers, making it one of the iconic views of the city.

From 1800 onwards the area became a focal point for the influx of Irish immigrants and a high number of lodging houses appeared for those unable to pay a regular rent. Community views of these immigrants were polarised by the Burke and Hare murders on Tanners Close at West Port (the west end of the Grassmarket) in 1828. From the 1840s conditions were somewhat horrendous, with up to 12 people in what would now be deemed a small double bedroom, and occupants being locked in the room overnight. Police inspections had begun in 1822 but the rules themselves caused many of the problems. A further Act of 1848 combined police surveillance with limits on occupation. In 1888 the City Public Health Department recorded seven lodging houses holding a total of an incredible 414 persons. Crombies Land at the foot of West Port held 70 people in 27 bedrooms, with no toilet provision.[3]

As a gathering point for market traders and cattle drovers, the Grassmarket was traditionally a place of taverns, hostelries and temporary lodgings, a fact still reflected in the use of some of the surrounding buildings. In the late 18th century the fly coach to London, via Dumfries and Carlisle, set out from an inn at the Cowgate Head at the eastern end of the market place.[4] In 1803 William and Dorothy Wordsworth took rooms at the White Hart Inn, where the poet Robert Burns had stayed during his last visit to Edinburgh in 1791. In her account of the visit Dorothy described it as "not noisy, and tolerably cheap".[5] In his 1961 film Greyfriars Bobby Walt Disney chose a lodging in the Grassmarket as the place where the Skye terrier's owner dies (depicting him as a shepherd hoping to be hired at the market rather than the real-life dog's owner, police night watchman John Gray).

The meat market closed in 1911 when a new municipal slaughter house at Tollcross replaced the old "shambles" in the western half of the Grassmarket (a road beyond the open market place) which joins King's Stables Road.

The association of the area with the poor and homeless only began to lessen in the 1970s: with Salvation Army hostels at both ends of the Grassmarket. Closure of the female hostel at the junction of West Port and the Grassmarket around 2000 in combination with an overall gentrification, capitalising on the streets location, began to truly change the atmosphere. Closure of the public toilets at the east end (a focal point for alcoholics) and comprehensive relandscaping in the beginning of the 21st century has transformed the character of the area.

An inscribed flagstone in the central pavement in front of the White Hart Inn indicates the spot where a bomb exploded during a Zeppelin raid on the city on the night of 2–3 April 1916. Eleven people were killed in the raid, though none at this...

⸻

A Great Day Out at Edinburgh’s Grassmarket

Grassmarket is one of those places in Edinburgh where you can easily spend the whole day without even trying. Tucked under the castle, it’s full of life — a mix of cozy pubs, great restaurants, and quirky little shops you actually want to browse.

Start with a wander through the side streets and you’ll find all sorts of independent stores, from local crafts to vintage finds. When you’re ready for a break, there’s no shortage of cafés and pubs to duck into — whether you’re after a coffee, a pint, or a proper meal.

By the afternoon, the place really comes alive. The pubs fill up, there’s often live music, and the whole area buzzes with a friendly, easygoing vibe. It’s the kind of spot where you can sit outside, watch the world go by, and feel like you’re part of the city.

Grassmarket’s got that perfect mix of history, atmosphere, and good food — a great place to lose track of time in...

Charming and full of character—Grassmarket is a must-stroll in Edinburgh!

We thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the Grassmarket on our way to Old Town. It’s one of those places where history and charm meet you at every corner. Lined with picturesque historic buildings, the area has a unique character that makes it easy to imagine centuries of stories unfolding right where you walk.

There’s no shortage of inviting inns, cozy cafés, and vibrant restaurants, many with outdoor patios perfect for people-watching or simply soaking in the atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing drink, a casual bite, or a leisurely coffee break, this area delivers—day or night.

The view of Edinburgh Castle looming overhead adds to the magic, and the cobblestone streets give it that quintessential Old Edinburgh feel. It’s the kind of place you want to take your time in—and maybe return to more than once...