The Mound

Why go

Here you can see the two halves of central Edinburgh meet. The Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy sit below New College’s spires, with views across Princes Street towards the New Town and Calton Hill. Use the route when the connection itself is part of your sightseeing.

What to look for

• The route passes the Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy.
• New College’s spires rise above the galleries.
• The raised ground offers views over Princes Street towards Calton Hill.

The full story

The Mound is artificial ground, created as central Edinburgh was transformed by the draining of the Nor Loch and the construction of the New Town. Earth was dumped into the valley to form a connection between the new district and the older town on the ridge. It officially opened in 1781. The crossing later acquired another layer of transport history. When the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway extended to Waverley in 1846, tunnels were driven beneath it to bring trains through from the west. The street above and railway below show how the same narrow connection served different forms of movement. Major institutions gathered on and around the Mound: the national art galleries, New College, the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly Hall and the Bank of Scotland’s domed building. Their contrasting architecture gives the route much of its interest. Its rise also opens views over Princes Street and the New Town, making the climb a way to understand Edinburgh’s topography.

Useful to know

• Allow for a fairly steep ascent when walking from Princes Street towards the Old Town.
• Combine the crossing with a gallery visit rather than making a separate return to the Mound.

Your next visit

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