🧭 What you’ll learn today:

In this short reading activity, you’ll practise English vocabulary for places in a city, explore one of Edinburgh’s most famous streets and test your understanding with questions. You’ll also learn a little Scottish history and enjoy a real description of local life.

Princes Street Gardens

📖 Reading: Princes Street

Princes Street is one of the most famous streets in Edinburgh. It runs through the city centre and you can find shops, hotels and cafés on one side, with a beautiful view of the castle and Princes Street Gardens on the other.

There are no buildings on the south side of the street. Instead, you can walk through Princes Street Gardens and look up at Edinburgh Castle. Many people stop to take photos and admire the colourful flowers and the beautiful Ross Fountain. The gardens were once part of a loch that surrounded the castle — but today, they’re a peaceful green space, popular with both visitors and locals.

You’ll also see the Scott Monument, a tall tower built to remember the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb the 287 steps to the top. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views across the city.

It’s a perfect place for an afternoon walk — or a quiet moment to enjoy the view.

✅ Vocabulary support

runs through

goes across (the street crosses the city)

landmark

a famous or important building or place

fountain

a decorative water feature

peaceful

calm, quiet and relaxing

📝 Questions to check understanding:

  • 1. What can you see on the south side of Princes Street?
  • 2. What do many people do when they visit the gardens?
  • 3. Who is remembered by the Scott Monument?
  • 4. How many steps are there in the monument?
  • 5. What kind of space were the gardens in the past?

🌿 Cultural tip:

Edinburgh city centre is made up of the Old Town and the New Town. Princes Street is part of the New Town, which was planned and built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s now a lively mix of shops and restaurants, museums and gardens.

🎥 Watch: Edinburgh's strangest statues

Are you ready to see the real Princes Street? Watch this short video and explore some of the places from today’s reading.

Can you spot the places mentioned in the text? What details do you notice that are not in the reading?

🎓 Study with ECS Scotland

Would you like to practise your English in Edinburgh? Our Experience Edinburgh course helps you learn in real places — from Princes Street to hidden gardens and local cafés.

Explore the Experience Edinburgh Course

Course Info