The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Research Explorer An Audit of a UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Citation for published version: Harwood, S & El-Manstrly, D 2012 'An Audit of a UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh: a preliminary search for authenticity' University of Edinburgh Business School Working Paper Series, University of Edinburgh Business School. Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Preprint (usually an early version) Publisher Rights Statement: © Harwood, S., & El-Manstrly, D. (2012). An Audit of a UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh: a preliminary search for authenticity. (University of Edinburgh Business School Working Paper Series). University of Edinburgh Business School. 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Harwood, Dahlia El-Manstrly MAY 2012 UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH BUSINESS SCHOOL An Audit of a UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh: a preliminary search for authenticity Stephen A. Harwood, Dahlia El-Manstrly University of Edinburgh Business School, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK [email protected], [email protected] May 2012 ABSTRACT The Royal Mile is one of the iconic streets of Scotland. Moreover, it is possibly one of the most visited streets in Scotland. However, it is also a street which is changing, but perhaps not in ways that some of those with an interest in it would accept. This raises many issues about what is changing, what the impact of these changes are and whether change should be better managed. One specific issue is based upon the argument that the tourist in increasingly seeking an ‘authentic experience’. This invites the question of how changes in the Royal Mile and increasing desire for the authentic experience are reconciled. This report forms a preliminary output of a longer term study into the meaning of authenticity in the context of tourism, with exclusive focus upon the Royal Mile. This report provides a visual snapshot of the Royal Mile over a one week window between the 15th and 21st July 2011. It presents over 180 photographs organised into themes to reveal the multi-faceted nature of the Royal Mile. Also presented is a mapping of all non-residential properties, which allows these photographs to be located. The categorisation of these non-residential properties allows the composition of the Royal Mile to be evaluated, which is presented in the form of tables. This material provides a frame-of- reference for the rest of the study. This initial insight reveals a street with a rich historical heritage, the legacy of which is preserved in its buildings. More importantly, it is a living street. It is not only a site frequented by tourists, but is also a place of work and habitation, as well as is a centre of power. Moreover, it is a street that has continually evolved since its inception. Collectively, this reveals a street of complexity in which whatever might be associated with the authentic rubs shoulders with that which is insincere. This elevates the issue that there can be multiple possible view-points about how the street should be developed. 2 An Audit of an UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh: a preliminary search for authenticity Stephen A. Harwood, Dahlia El-Manstrly © 2011, 2012 Foreword This study is important for a number of reasons, not least because it sets out to understand the experience of the Royal Mile. It is comprehensive in providing information as to the types of shop along the Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate and patterns of ownership, which will allow all the various parties and stakeholders formulate policies in support of a broad strategy for the improvement of the Royal Mile to the benefit of residents, visitors and business. Adam Wilkinson, Director, Edinburgh World Heritage A greater understanding of authenticity is necessary if we are to fully grasp how attempts to attract visitors to the city impacts on the urban environment, and it's timely that this particular study focuses on the Royal Mile. It has the potential to inform better planning of new developments and to provide an opportunity for residents to become more aware of the factors that can radically alter the place in which they live. It may also prompt serious study of who benefits from how the Old Town is currently sold as a visitor destination. Sean Bradley, Chair of Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust This is a very helpful visual audit of the Royal Mile, which can be the basis for the ongoing development of the Royal Mile as the premier street in Scotland. In the development of the street it is very important that authenticity is at its heart as the showcase of the World Heritage city of Edinburgh. In many ways the Royal Mile is the heart of the visitor attraction that is Edinburgh and vital for the economic well being of both the city and Scotland as a whole. Robin Worsnop, Chair of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) This is a timely piece on the authenticity of a much loved Mile, a place where folk live and work amongst the stream of tourists visiting a piece of World Heritage. The audit provides a clear record of the attractions and distractions and helps focus attention on the tensions that exist in an evolving urban environment. Marion Williams, Director, The Cockburn Association 3 An Audit of an UNESCO World Heritage site - the Royal Mile, Edinburgh: a preliminary search for authenticity Stephen A. Harwood, Dahlia El-Manstrly © 2011, 2012 Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Contents .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 The Study ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 This Report ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 The ‘Toured Object’ .............................................................................................................................................. 6 The themes .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 ‘Touring the object’ ............................................................................................................................................. 7 The top and the bottom ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Open for business – spend here............................................................................................................................ 8 Landscape ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 A sense of History .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Stage Managed ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Historical Shop Fronts ....................................................................................................................................... 21 The Unique, Exotic and the Strange .................................................................................................................. 23 Cashing in on a Name ........................................................................................................................................ 25 The Genuine Article? ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Competition ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Goods for sale .................................................................................................................................................... 31 A need for nourishment ....................................................................................................................................