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Grassmarket & Victoria Street

The Grassmarket is a historic market place in the Old Town of Edinburgh. It’s cobbled streets lie in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle. Together with neighbouring Victoria Street, it is home to a quirky collection of independent shops, historic pubs, restaurants and other attractions.

First mentioned in documents from the 1300s, the Grassmarket became one of the main market places in the city. It was, for most of its history, a very poor area. Famously, a place of execution until the late 18th century. Today it has become an upmarket area with rising property prices and it remains a busy part of Edinburgh life. Still with a weekly market, which now sells artisan foods and crafts.