Edinburgh in One Day: A Fabulous Literary Walking Tour

If you love literature, there’s so much you’ll be able to see when you visit Edinburgh, even for a single day. Just follow this self-guided walking tour for book lovers.

You know that when people think of Scotland’s capital city, witches and ghosts seem to come to mind more than books. Yet Edinburgh’s literary history is even richer and more extensive than its mythological lore. 

From Sir Walter Scott to J.K. Rowling, many of the world’s most influential writers have lived and worked in this city. In fact, Edinburgh was designated the first City of Literature back in 2004 when UNESCO had just launched the program.

This literary tour of Edinburgh in one day will take you through some of the most important landmarks of Edinburgh’s literary heritage, and give you a great introduction to the city in the process. In a pinch, you could even do it on a day trip to Edinburgh from London (there are some early-morning flights that will get you here in time).

Edinburgh in one day self-guided literary tour

➽ 9:00 am – Stevenson House – 10 minutes

To see literary Edinburgh in one day, your route begins at 17 Heriot Row, in Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town.

Number 17, with its iconic red door, was home to Robert Louis Stevenson from 1856-1880. The author lived in the house with his mother and nurse Alison Cunningham, who cared for him as he was too sickly to attend ordinary schools.

It is said that the stories she told him during his childhood at Heriot Row sparked his imagination, preparing him for the eventual writing of such classics as Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

If you’re spending one night in Edinburgh, Stevenson House is currently a working Bed and Breakfast, and worth considering if the idea of staying in a house steeped in literary history appeals to you. Another option for a Bed and Breakfast nearby is Castle View Guest House.

➽ 9:30 am – Scott Monument – 1hr-1hr30

After a short walk, you will find yourself on Edinburgh’s main shopping hub, Princes Street.

You’ll see the imposing Scott Monument, a gothic tower dedicated to the life and work of Sir Walter Scott. Scott was born in Edinburgh, and his work was deeply shaped by the Scottish cultural landscape he lived in. He wrote some of the most important books in the English canon, including Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, and Waverley.

If you choose to visit the monument, a short climb up stairs will bring you to a small central chamber lined with stained glass windows. Inside, you will find an exhibit about Sir Walter Scott’s literary career. And if you keep climbing, the staircase opens onto the roof of the monument and its spectacular views of the city.

The monument doesn’t have an elevator and to reach the top, you’ll have to climb 287 steps. Best to know that (and dress accordingly) before you start your invigorating Edinburgh in one day itinerary.

➽ 11:30 am – Greyfriars Kirkyard – 1 hr

Next, make your way to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where Edinburgh’s many ghost stories intersect with its literary heritage.

This graveyard is thought to be the most haunted in Europe. Even Robert Louis Stevenson knew about the risks of visiting one particular mausoleum, that of Sir George MacKenzie (known as Bloody MacKenzie). Stevenson once wrote that he’d be surprised if anyone living near the graveyard got any sleep, what with all the noise George MacKenzie’s ghost made. 

Extending into modern times, Greyfriars Kirkyard has been a source of literary inspiration for many.

Two gravestones are particularly interesting, as they served as inspiration for central characters in J.K. Rowling’s best selling series Harry Potter.

Look out for the grave of Thomas Riddell (which became Tom Riddle in the series). And see if you can  find the grave of William McGonagall, who became Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter. Funnily enough, William McGonagall was a poet himself. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a very good one, gaining notoriety as ‘Scotland’s worst poet.’ 

➽ 12:30 pm Lunch: The Elephant House – 1hr-1hr30

When you exit Greyfriars Kirkyard, you may be hungry: a two-minute walk will bring you to The Elephant House. This café has become famous for being the place where J.K. Rowling penned the first chapters of what was to be one of the most extensively sold books of all time, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It also happens to be a great place to sit down for some lunch and a hot drink to warm up. The bathroom is especially interesting, as it has gathered a beautiful collection of graffitied Harry Potter quotes from fans throughout the years. (As of April 2023, a fire forced the café to close but it was expected to open again soon. You can keep abreast by checking their website.)

The line-up to get a seat at the Elephant House can be long, and the café doesn’t take reservations. If you don’t feel like waiting in line, there are plenty of restaurants and places to eat nearby. The rooftop café of the National Museum of Scotland is a great alternative. If you’re a meat lover, you can also try a ‘hog roll’ (seasoned Scottish pulled pork in a bun) from Oink, which is also very close by.

➽ 14:15 / 2:15pm West Port Antique Bookshops – 1hr30 

Edinburgh is famous for its bookshops, but none are more charming than Armchair Books and Edinburgh Books.

Armchair Books is right out of a bohemian dream, with stacks of old books on the floor and bursting from shelves along the walls. Fairy lights give a soft glow to the place, and it has become a sanctuary for many book lovers in the city. It is a perfect spot to find both second-hand copies of modern novels and extremely rare antiques (I once bought a collection of Scottish fairy tales there. It was from 1830 and only cost me 3 GBP, approx. 5 USD!)

Edinburgh Books is also worth visiting – if you’re given to this sort of thing – because of its unusual collection of taxidermied animals, including one enormous water buffalo head named Clarence. The basement is perfect for musicians and packed wall-to-wall with sheet music for sale.

➽ 16:30 / 4:30pm Storytelling Centre or Scottish Poetry Library – 2hrs

Not even a visit of Edinburgh in one day would be complete without a visit to the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Canongate. A newly refurbished 17th-century home, the centre won a design award for successfully introducing modern architectural styles while preserving the historic charm of the initial building. Be sure to check out events listings on their website, as they usually have storytelling sessions every day. These are a great opportunity to rest your legs while hearing modern tales or classic Scottish myths and legends told by storytellers from all over.

If you’re more interested in poetry, the National Poetry Library can be found on the same street, and is completely dedicated to any sort of Scottish poetic work. The library is open to visitors (for free), and it also hosts regular events, including readings and spoken word slams. You can find more information on their website.

Still have plenty of time or want yet another alternative? Consider visiting the Edinburgh Writers Museum just off the Royal Mile for more book-worthy lore. The museum highlights the lives of three major Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. It is also in a spectacular setting in Lady Stair’s House, built in 1622.

➽ 19:00 / 7 pm Dinner: Conan Doyle Pub

End your day back in Edinburgh’s New Town for one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh. Have dinner at the historic Conan Doyle Pub, built in the house where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) used to live and write. Specialties are classic British pub food with a local twist: try the Venison, Rabbit, and Sweet Potato & Goat Cheese Pie or the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (Haggis with mashed potatoes, turnips, and gravy).

If you love books, check out our many travel book reviews here!

Day trips from Edinburgh

If you have more than a day to spend on your Edinburgh visit, you could range a bit further afield to one of these sites.

Roslyn Chapel, the Da Vinci Code

The Rosslyn Chapel is a short day trip out of the city. Edinburgh Bus Line 37 stops on Princes Street and gets you to Roslin Village in 45 minutes (or take a reasonably-priced tour). The Chapel is an easy walk from the bus stop and is ideal for Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown fans. Characters Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu follow clues that take them from the Louvre in Paris to London and finally to Rosslyn Chapel. Parts of the Da Vinci Code movie were also shot at the Chapel.

The Chapel started as a Catholic church in 1446, but the Church of Scotland General Assembly ordered the destruction of its altars – they were said to represent “monuments of idolatry”. The chapel fell into disrepair until Queen Victoria visited and asked for it to be restored, which took place in 1862.

Even if you’re not a fan of the books, nearby Roslin Glen is a wonderful place for a short walk in a forest steeped in fairy lore.

Arthur’s Seat

Edinburgh sits on highly volcanic territory. The most striking evidence of this is Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s own extinct volcano, which offers beautiful views of the city should you wish to climb it (it is a short and relatively easy climb if you’re moderately fit) – the hill is 250m/822ft high..

Like many places in the UK, it claims a connection to the legend of King Arthur. According to stories, King Arthur actually set up camp on the volcano, giving it its name.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill is another volcanic hill in Edinburgh, and is an easy walk for people of all fitness levels. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers great views of the city and houses many famous landmarks. Visit the monument to Sir Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous poet. You should also make sure to check out the National Monument, more commonly known as ‘Edinburgh’s Disgrace’. It was meant to be a model of the Parthenon in Greece, but funding ran out before construction ended, so only half the Parthenon was ever built.

Guest Contribution by Alejandra Armitage. Ale can most commonly be found writing poetry or standing in airplane boarding queues.

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