Home to Edinburgh’s most significant landmarks, the Royal Mile is actually a collection of connecting streets that collectively run for nearly an exact mile in length.

Streets that make up the Royal Mile include Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, and Abbey Strand. The route runs between the impressive Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Queen.

Other notable landmarks on the Royal Mile include St Giles’ Cathedral and the Heart of Midlothian, a heart-shaped mosaic in the street which marks the location of the old 15th century tolbooth and once public execution site.

Criminals that were released from the nearby prison would spit on the location upon leaving, and today visitors continue to spit on the Heart of Midlothian for good luck.

While the Royal Mile 05/be beautiful today, early residents once poured their human waste on it daily. Thankfully, this no longer occurs.