Edinburgh "Outlander" Stops
One of my "must see" stops while vacationing on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh was a visit at The World's End pub. Outlander fans will fondly remember that this ancient pub was the tavern that Jamie and Claire dashed out into the pouring rain to pick up the drunken Mr. Willoughby. It is a small wee pub on the inside and I ate my first UK Fish & Chips meal here. It was great!
The above picture is the view right across the street from The World's End. I wanted to take that picture because it is mentioned in Voyager that Carfax Close (where Jamie's print shop stood) was only 100 yards away.
Here is a bit of quote from Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 25, when Jamie and Claire were paused under the arch of Carfax Close.
"Where are we going?"
"To The World's End."
Without further speech, Jamie took me by the elbow to help me across the cobbles, and we plunged down the steep incline of the Royal Mile.
Luckily, the tavern called The World's End was no more than a hundred yards away."
What exactly is a close you ask? Well now that I've seen them, I understand better. In between the buildings there are alleyways that lead to other buildings, merchants and even other streets. They are covered pathways and a person not familiar with their way could easily get lost among the maze of closes.
Another quote from Voyager regarding Jamie's Carfax Close.
"It was longish, winding close, and the printshop was at the foot. There were thriving businesses and tenements on either side, but I had no attention to spare for anything beyond the neat white sign that hung by the door."
After walking through a close, there is usually a small courtyard like above. In Outlander, Carfax Close is fictional and since that particular close doesn't really exist, I had to use my imagination. There were other closes that we ventured down and instead of a large courtyard with a few different exits like above, there were some that were just a small simple courtyard and the only way out was the entrance or up. Up to apartments.
Above is another picture to demonstrate an alleyway/roadway just off the Royal Mile. As you can see it is steep, narrow and hilly. In fact, the entire Royal Mile is one huge slope.
It was so fun to imagine the fictional Jamie and Claire Fraser winding their way around Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is a real treat and heavily catered to the tourists. I would have gladly spent a bit more time there. Perhaps next time I can scout out a building that could have doubled as brothel where the Fraser's union took place.
