Enter St Cuthbert's Churchyard on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road. A notable burial is mathematician John Napier, inventor of logarithms. Back on Lothian Road, take the first left along King's Stables Road and wander towards Grassmarket. Fine views of the castle towering above can be enjoyed. Proceed past the colourful array of pubs and head up Candlemaker Row. Check out the world famous statue of Greyfriar's Bobby then have a look around the graveyard he is named after. Enclosed burial lairs are found mainly on the south edge and in the Covenanters' Prison. These have stone walls or iron railings and were created as a deterrent to grave robbing which was a problem in the 18th century.
Continue down Chambers Street, passing the National Museum of Scotland (free entry). Turn left along South Bridge then follow the Royal Mile downhill. After 600 yards there is a statue of poet Robert Fergusson set into the pavement. He is buried in the adjacent Canongate Churchyard along with the father of economics Adam Smith and David Rizzio, the murdered private secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots. Our present queen sometimes attends church services at Canongate Kirk when she is staying at Holyrood Palace just down the road.
Walk down to the bottom of the Royal Mile the turn back on yourself along Calton Road. The New Calton Cemetery on your right extends up the lower slopes of Calton Hill and fine views of the Scottish Parliament and Arthur's Seat can be attained. Further along Calton Road, a flight of steps leads off to the right, directly opposite the junction with Lochend Close. Climb all the way up to Regent Road. The gateway to the main street looks down upon the throat of Waverley Station. Turn left towards the city centre and enter the Old Calton Burial Ground after you pass St Andrew's House. This ancient graveyard was opened in 1718 and contains a monument to the Scottish soldiers who died in the American Civil War. A statue of Abraham Lincoln stands guard over the tomb. Another notable feature is the resting place of philosopher David Hume. Exit the cemetery and proceed along Waterloo Place back to Princes Street.
