Edinburgh Deep History and Wall Tour

Edinburgh is a city absolutely bursting with history, and in this fascinating and energetic tour, we take you far beyond the usual tourist trails and into what we call ‘Deep Edinburgh’, as we trace the route of the wall built to defend the city after the disastrous defeat by the English army at Flodden Field in 1513.
As well as viewing the surviving remnants of the wall, we’ll be learning about the incredibly rich history of the streets and buildings along the route, and telling the stories of many of the great characters and events that shaped our wonderful capital; prepare to meet Mary, Queen of Scots, Greyfriars Bobby, Sir Walter Scott, J.K. Rowling, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Burke and Hare, and Robert Louis Stevenson – and there’s even a cameo role for David Bowie!

Meeting Point

Castlehill

Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1, UK

Come to the very top of the Royal Mile, where it joins the Castle Esplanade. Moray, your guide, will normally be wearing a red 7 Hills Tours jacket.

What's included:

• Tour guide services

What to expect:

Duration: 4 hours

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Castle Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

Here we'll introduce our tour at the very 'top of the town', explaining the story behind the wall's construction, and some history of Edinburgh and its iconic Castle.

15 minutes

Grassmarket

21 Grassmarket, Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2HS

In Edinburgh's ancient marketplace, we'll hear stories of riots, markets, religion, hangings, and Edinburgh's greatest quack doctor!

15 minutes

The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle

11 1 Vennel, Edinburgh, EH1 2HU

Our route passes up the alley known as the Vennel, from which we'll see what's generally thought to be the greatest of all views of Edinburgh Castle.

5 minutes

George Heriot's School

8 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EQ

We'll pass by this famous Edinburgh School, built in the 17th century and still going strong - it's thought to be J.K. Rowling's inspiration for Hogwarts!

Pass by without stopping

Greyfriars Bobby

Edinburgh, EH1 2QE

At this little statue, we'll tell the story of Edinburgh's most famous canine!

5 minutes

Greyfriars

26A Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QQ

Halfway through our tour now, we'll discover the most haunting (and haunted!) of Edinburgh's ancient cemeteries, and hear stories of the turbulent times of Scotland's religious rebels, The Covenanters. We may also discover a name or two familiar to Harry Potter fans!

20 minutes

McEwan Hall

Teviot Place, Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG

We'll pass by the University of Edinburgh's magnificent graduation hall and explore the quadrangle of the adjacent Medical School, discovering a famous graduate or two!

5 minutes

University of Edinburgh

Old College South Bridge, , Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Right on the wall's route is the University's HQ and Law School, in the beautiful Old College Quadrangle; here we'll be telling stories of Edinburgh students of the past, such as Charles Darwin and Robert Louis Stevenson.

20 minutes

Cowgate

Cowgate, Edinburgh, UK

We'll cross this historic street, always the parallel 'poor relation' of the Royal Mile, but full of stories, including that of 'General' Joseph Smith - the kingpin of Edinburgh's streets, who could raise a thousand men with a bang on his drum!

5 minutes

Royal Mile

High St., , Edinburgh, EH1 2PB

We'll come through the 'World's End' - the site of the old Netherbow gatehouse, hearing stories of sedan chairmen - the taxi drivers of Old Edinburgh - plus Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Army!

15 minutes

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

Your tour will end here, where the Wall met the North Loch and so completed the city's defensive ring. Here we'll see the plaque which commemorates the city's original Botanical Gardens.
As well as the stops described above, we'll be spending the remainder of the 4 hours tour duration both walking, and seeing some less famous, but still very important sites and streets - including Lauriston Place, George Heriot's School, Potterrow, the Charles Darwin memorial plaque, Drummond Street, the Pleasance, and St. Mary's Street.

15 minutes