image copyright Rachel Windsor

Grassmarket is named for the ancient market which took place here beneath the Castle and the Royal Mile. It lies directly to the west of the Cowgate, from where the cattle would have approached for the cattle markets which took place here. As with many market spaces, such as Smithfields in London, the square was also used as a place of public execution.

The Grassmarket is home to some of Edinburgh's oldest pubs, including the Beehive and the White Hart.