Actual Education Interactive Guided Tours

A Walk Down the Royal Mile with John Kay
Due Spring 2010

The Englightenment was one of the most fascinating periods in Edinburgh's history. To someone studying this subject it would appear that people of intellect, skill and talent were ten-a-penny but there were also other wonderfully fascinating characters, ones which we might not have known about if it wasn't for the caricatures of John Kay. Kay's skilled hand captured the famous, the intriguing and the downright odd! This Interactive Guided Tour takes you on a walk down Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile. You will 'meet' Kay's characters in the locations which would have been familiar to them. From Castlehill to the Lawnmarket, then down the High Street to our finale at the bottom of the Canongate, these people will provide you with a truly unique experience of Edinburgh's history.

Features

• Over 30 panoramic scenes
• Each image taken down the Royal Mile has 'full screen' capability
• Each tour introduces you to some of Enlightenment Edinburgh's most intriguing characters
• Each character has been included because their stories are really interesting!
• This tour consists of detailed, interesting text and accompanying audio
• This tour acts as the perfect accompaniment to an actual visit to Edinburgh's Old Town

A Walk Down the Royal Mile
Castlehill

Our tour starts at the very top of Edinburgh's Old Town, Castlehill. Castlehill may be one of the shortest stretches of the Royal Mile but our interesting characters come thick and fast. In short succession we meet Archibald Stewart, the Reverend Robert Walker, William Mason and Dr Webster and his own little version of the 'Cyrano de Bergerac' story. Dr Webster may have been a church minister but he liked a drink as we shall discover...

A Walk Down the Royal Mile
The Lawnmarket

Our tour continues on its way down the Royal Mile. We come next to the more open space of the Lawnmarket. We meet about John Dowie and his famed little tavern in Libberton's Wynd. This tavern was frequented by one Robert Burns. It also counted the local magistrates amongst its regulars. At times these magistrates came for their 'deidchak' meal after they had completed their task of ensuring that some poor unfortunate had indeed been hanged properly at the nearby Tolbooth. The Lawnmarket section also introduces us to John Tait, Captain Burnett and William Ranken.

A Walk Down the Royal Mile
The High Street

The High Street now beckons as we move into the busiest part of the historic Royal Mile. We get a chance to meet the unfortunate George Pratt - town crier and unwilling figure of fun for many of Edinburgh's children. There are another nine characters to meet including Peter Williamson. Williamson, nicknamed 'Indian Peter' has a fascinating history which includes being an indentured servant against his will and being taken to America, being captured by native americans and finally setting up a small coffee shop and then Edinburgh's first penny post.

A Walk Down the Royal Mile
The Canongate

We move onto the long suburb of the Canongate. When Kay was making his drawings the Canongate was still a relatively affluent burgh, the poverty of the 19th century was still some time away. In this tour we meet Lord Kaimes, Lord Eskgrove and Lord Hailes. We explore the site of Deacon Brodie's last burglary and find out about the peculiar life of .ittle George Cranston.

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You may also be interested in the following Interactive Guided Tours;

The Edinburgh's History Collection - Interactive Guided Tours of Edinburgh's Old Town and other Edinburgh topics.