Visit St Andrew Square in Edinburgh | Tour Details & Highlights
Escape the hurly-burly in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh’s most refined urban retreat.
Hop on Bright Bus Tours and experience Edinburgh New Town as the city planners intended.
About St Andrew Square Edinburgh
Named for the patron saint of Edinburgh, St Andrew Square was an integral part of establishing New Town, an Edinburgh World Heritage Site.
By the 1770s, Edinburgh was rapidly expanding and overcrowded. To address this, city authorities commissioned a design from young architect James Craig. His solution was a visionary plan for Edinburgh’s New Town. Craig implemented a grid-like layout of streets and squares.
St Andrew Square was placed at the east end of George Street, a grand thoroughfare forming the New Town’s spine. The square was a vital focal point and green space within the growing city.
At the western end of George Street, Craig designed Charlotte Square, which was meant to mirror St Andrew Square. The hallmark of his plans was balanced symmetry.
Some buildings and sites, like philosopher David Hume’s house on South St David Street, have been lost to recent developments. However, the square’s east side is quite well preserved.
How to Visit St Andrew Square with Bright Bus Tours
On both the Britannia and City tours, you can get direct access to
St Andrew Square at Stop 2, making it easy to explore this Edinburgh square.
Join Our City Tour
Duration of journey: 1 hour
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Starting Point: Waterloo Place, or hop on at any City Tour stops, including Holyrood Palace and Dynamic Earth
Ticket Price: Starts at £16
Hop on Our Britannia Tours
Duration of journey: 1 hour 10 minutes
Frequency: Every hour
Starting point: Waterloo Place, or join at any of our Britannia Tour stops
Ticket Price: Starts at £16
Highlights of St Andrew Square
Explore the following landmarks in and around St Andrew Square in Edinburgh.
St Andrew Square Garden
What was once a gated retreat for the elite has blossomed into a vibrant public garden. St Andrew Square Garden transforms seasonally. During summer evenings, it hosts an outdoor cinema and serves as a hub for art and exhibitions throughout the year.
The design features include elegant visitor seating areas, a statue garden and a contemporary pavilion with a charming coffee shop.
Melville Monument
You can find the Melville Monument at the centre of St Andrew Square. It is a towering fluted column crowned with Henry Dundas’ statue, the first Viscount Melville.
Once celebrated as “The Uncrowned King of Scotland”, Dundas dominated Scottish politics in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Dundas was impeached in 1806 for misappropriating public money but was later cleared.
Today, a bronze plaque at the monument’s base acknowledges another dark aspect of his history. It notes that Dundas was “instrumental in deferring the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.”
Dundas House
James Craig originally planned to place St. Andrew’s Church on St. Andrew Square’s east side to mirror St. George’s Church on Charlotte Square. However, one of Scotland’s wealthiest men, Sir Lawrence Dundas, had other plans.
Sir Lawrence, a cousin of the powerful Henry Dundas, bought the land and built a grand mansion instead. This forever disrupted the intended symmetry. The neoclassical building later became the Royal Bank of Scotland head office.
The Future – Dunard Centre
In 2023, the Royal Bank of Scotland granted a long-term lease for the land behind Dundas House. The site will become the Dunard Centre, a 1,000-seat “Hall for All ” venue that will host diverse performances and open in 2029.
Facilities
Centrally located, St Andrew Square in Edinburgh has top-class facilities and visitor amenities.
Dining
Centrally located, St Andrew Square in Edinburgh has top-class facilities and visitor amenities.
Shopping
The Harvey Nichols department store is on St Andrew Street. Embrace a high-end shopping experience just around the corner on Multrees Walk.
Accommodation
The uniquely designed apartments at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand are in a restored bank building on South St Andrew Street. On North St David Street, Ibis Styles offers a stylish stay for those wished to be located in the city.
Bright Bus Tours: A Bright Way to See Edinburgh’s New Town
Founded in 2019, Bright Bus Tours crafts unforgettable Edinburgh experiences and memories. We are Scotland’s official open-top tour and airport connection, with incredible hop-on, hop-off day trips to the Royal Yacht Britannia and around the city.
- A bright alternative to exploring the city on foot
- Cheap Airport Express
- Private tour options
- Wheelchair accessible
- Discounts to local restaurants and businesses
Wander through St Andrew Square in Edinburgh and fall under New Town’s charm.
Book your Bright Bus pass — the most relaxing sightseeing trip around Edinburgh.