I am leaving for Italy tomorrow for 10 days. I really should be packing, but wanted to share about my stroll today down part of the Royal Mile. What is known as the Royal Mile is actually made up of numerous streets that run from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. It is the main avenue in Old Town. One can explore the streets of the Royal Mile for many days and that exploration is the content of many, many blog posts. I just covered a very small area that resulted in some fabulous finds. I explored an area along High Street. There is more to write about the Royal Mile, but here is just a taste!

The Museum of Childhood is a collection of childhood items, toys and memorabilia. I particularly loved the needlework examples.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

In addition to showcasing favorite playthings and activities of children, it documents some important social issues as well, such as child labor.

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

There are several areas for kid’s to play and interact, including a puppet theater, reading and craft zone.

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

The museum is free, but a donation of 3 pounds is suggested. You can also support the museum by purchasing something at its museum.

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh

Anyone interested in researching a family tartan pattern? You can do that at the Celtic Craft Centre. There are books the researchers uses to look up your family name. I am saving those photos and information for a later blog post, so stay tuned. My husband’s great grandmother was from the UK, but I do not know her maiden name so I promised the researcher I would return with that name and hopefully where she was from for some future work. I asked the researcher how old the building was and he said that there had been a fire in the 1860s so the top floor “only” dated until then, but the basement was older. I asked what was down there and he said work rooms for people who made custom kilts but that no one was down there right now. I have to try and get a peek down there next time to see kilt making in progress. Here is one web site for researching your tartan.

Celtic Craft Centre, Edinburgh

Continue further down the road and you come to another free museum, the Museum of Edinburgh. The museum has a great selection of pottery, silver and glass.

Museum of Edinburgh

Like to play dress-up? no problem you can do that, in period garb, and this is for adults, not children.

Museum of Edinburgh

The visit was completed outside at the “Fountain of Youth” in the museums courtyard. My favorite moment was observing a woman quietly sketching in the peaceful surroundings.

Museum of Edinburgh

Sometimes it pays to eavesdrop a bit. I overheard a curator at the museum talk about the world’s end and how it was just up the street, hmmmm, really? I found The World’s End on the way home. It is both a pub and a piece of Edinburgh history. The corner outside the pub marks where the walls of Edinburgh once kept the city secure. Inhabitants did not consider the area outside the walls safe, but very literally, world ending.

The World’s End, Edinburgh

Off to Italy tomorrow, Ciao!