Edinburgh New Town and Dean Village Tour

Get off the beaten path and join us for tour of the New Town and the Dean Village. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites and charming neighbourhoods, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
In this tour we will:

-Explore the New Town's open spaces and crescents, which contrast with the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town.

-Learn about the Scottish Enlightenment that turned Edinburgh into the ‘Athens of the North’.

-Explore the streets walked by Scottish inventors, scientists, and writers including David Hume, Adam Smith, and Arthur Conan Doyle.

-Understand what life in a Georgian House was like and admire beautiful examples of Neoclassical architecture.

-Discuss the impact that colonialism had on the growth of the city

-Discover the reason behind the establishment of secret bars in the New Town

-Walk through the picturesque Dean Village, once a medieval industrial hub dotted by water mills, where bakers and weavers lived and worked.

Meeting Point

2-4 Hope St

2-4 Hope St, Edinburgh EH2 4DB, UK

You will meet your guide on the corner of Princes Street, outside of Johnnie Walker and near the Binns Clock. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time to check in.

What's included:

• Local Tour Guide

Not included:

• Gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Dean Village

Dean Path, Edinburgh, EH8 8BH

Our first stop will be the Dean Village, a small oasis of peace just a few steps away from Princes Street and the meeting point. Dating back to the medieval time, the village used to be a bakers’ hub. Today, it still retains some mill stones and stone plaques decorated with baked bread and pies.

30 minutes

Charlotte Square

West end of George Street 40 Charlotte Square, , Edinburgh, EH2 4HQ

Leaving the Dean Village, we will continue towards the New Town, a UNESCO site. After a short walk we will reach Charlotte Square. Here we will admire elegant examples of neoclassical architecture, and understand why Edinburgh is known as the ‘Athens of the North’.

10 minutes

The Georgian House

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR, UK

In Charlotte Square we will stop outside the most iconic mansion of the New Town, the Georgian House, and understand what high society life was like in 18th and 19th century Edinburgh.

10 minutes

Rose Street

Rose St, Edinburgh EH2, UK

From Charlotte Square we will enter the New Town Grid. We will take a lane called Rose Street, famous for its pubs. Here we will explain the reason behind the establishment of secret bars in the New Town.

10 minutes

Castle Street

Castle St, Edinburgh EH2, UK

From Rose St we will turn on Castle Street. From here we will enjoy a great view of the castle and the castle rock.

10 minutes

Princes Street and Gardens

Edinburgh

From Castle Street we will cross Princes St and enter the Princes Street Gardens, one the main parks of Edinburgh. We'll stop to admire some examples of public art. You will also enjoy a great view of the castle and the castle rock from the gardens.

15 minutes

Scott Monument

E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2 2EJ

From Princes Street gardens, we will head towards the Scott Monument, one of Edinburgh’s landmarks. We will talk about the history of the monument and its architecture. Did you know this is the largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer?

15 minutes

George Street

George St, Edinburgh EH2, UK

We will now go back to the New Town grid and walk the east part of George Street. This part of the street is famous for its cafes, restaurants and statues, including the ones dedicated to King George IV and James Clerk Maxwell.

10 minutes

The Dome

14 George Street, , Edinburgh, EH2 2PF

Just around the corner from Rose Street, we will find George Street one of the main arteries of the New Town, well known for its restaurants, hotels and shops. Here we will see some impressive Neoclassical buildings, such as the Dome.

5 minutes

Melville Monument

St Andrew Square, Edinburgh

This imposing monument stands at the end of Princes Street, in the centre of St. Andrews Square. We will explain why the Melville Monument was built and its connection to the British colonial time.

10 minutes

Dundas House

Edinburgh EH2 2YB, UK

Across the street from the Melville Monument we will find Dundas House. You might be surprised to find out that the architect who built this house was inspired by the books of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. This building is today a bank and, if open, we will enter.

10 minutes