Princes Street, Edinburgh's main shopping thoroughfare (Photo: PA)
The route that Pope Benedict XVI will take through Edinburgh in his popemobile has been released by the Church.
The Pope will travel nearly four miles from Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s residence in Scotland, to the home of Cardinal Keith O’Brien near Morningside. He will be driven along Regent Road, Lothian Road, and Tollcross.
He will also go along the historic central thoroughfare, Princes Street, passing the Princes Street gardens, the Scott monument – a huge Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott, author of the Waverley novels – and British high street shops such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, and Topshop.
His journey will start at around 12.30pm on Thursday next week, after he has been welcomed by the Queen.
Meanwhile, in Birmingham the popemobile will travel along part of the Hagley Road, in an area south west of Birmingham.
According to Councillor Alan Rudge and assistant chief constable Sharon Rowe, it will be “the only part of the visit outside of Cofton Park where there is a chance for people to come and see His Holiness”.
Mr Rudge said letters would be sent out to residents and businesses in the area.
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