Uncovered Edinburgh

A Gateway to Edinburgh's Layered Past

Uncovered Edinburgh sits at the intersection of Scotland's most historically significant landmarks, occupying a prime position at Parliament Square in the heart of the Old Town. This location serves as a gateway to understanding the complex, interconnected history of medieval and early modern Edinburgh. The experience draws visitors into the stories embedded within the cobblestones and facades surrounding the square, where centuries of political intrigue, legal proceedings, and cultural development have shaped the nation. Parliament Square itself represents a palimpsest of Scottish history. The square was not always the neat, dignified space visitors see today; it evolved through centuries of urban transformation. The original asymmetrical medieval layout was substantially altered during the 19th century when Victorian urban planners sought to modernise the crowded Old Town, creating new streets like Cockburn Street and Bank Street to improve access and carve out better approaches to the railway station and financial district.

The Heart of Scottish Governance and Justice

At the core of Parliament Square stands Parliament House, constructed in 1641 as the home of the Scottish Parliament. This building represents a pivotal moment in Scottish institutional history, housing the sovereign parliament before the Act of Union in 1707. The architecture itself tells stories of power and prestige, with its distinctive features including a magnificent self-supporting roof—a marvel of 17th-century engineering that has captured imaginations for generations. Inside, visitors encounter marble statues, including that of Duncan Forbes, a prominent politician and judge, alongside portraits of 18th- and 19th-century legal figures. Today, Parliament House functions as a working court building, primarily hearing civil cases while criminal trials take place in the High Court. This dual identity—historical monument and active legal institution—creates a unique atmosphere where visitors encounter both the weight of history and the ongoing business of Scottish justice. The courtrooms remain accessible to the public, allowing visitors to witness the continuation of legal traditions stretching back centuries.

Shadows of the Old Tolbooth and Medieval Justice

Beneath the elegant Neoclassical facade of modern Parliament Square lies a darker history. The infamous Old Tolbooth once stood on this site, serving multiple functions throughout its existence: meeting place for the Town Council, law court, tax office, and most notoriously, a prison. The Tolbooth was the setting for torture, public executions, and political intrigue until its demolition in 1817. Today, a heart-shaped mosaic marks the spot where the Tolbooth once stood—a symbol that locals traditionally spit upon for luck, perhaps a final defiant gesture against the injustice that occurred within its walls. Nearby, the reconstructed Mercat Cross stands as a reminder of the public executions that took place in this square, where those sentenced to death met their end.

Architectural Transformation and Victorian Vision

The 19th-century refacing of Parliament House and St Giles' Cathedral created the unified Neoclassical and Gothic appearance visible today. While some contemporary critics lamented the loss of the original medieval character, this transformation gave the square its current dignified aesthetic. The creation of Cockburn Street exemplifies Victorian urban planning at its finest—a beautifully curved, picturesque thoroughfare that provides a grand theatrical entry into the historic Royal Mile. This blend of ancient institutional buildings alongside Victorian architectural innovation creates a unique spatial experience where different historical periods coexist visually and spatially.

A Living Monument to Scottish Identity

Uncovered Edinburgh operates within this rich context, helping visitors decode the layers of meaning embedded in Parliament Square and its surroundings. The location serves as a nexus point connecting multiple threads of Scottish history: the medieval church of St Giles', the seat of sovereign parliament, the site of medieval justice and imprisonment, the architecture of the Scottish Enlightenment, and the financial power represented by Bank Street and the Bank of Scotland. For visitors seeking to understand Edinburgh beyond surface-level tourism, this location offers profound insights into how a single square can encapsulate centuries of national development, institutional evolution, and cultural identity.