Edinburgh Canongate Historical Walking Tour

The Canongate is the hidden gem of historic Edinburgh. The lower, less visited part of the Royal Mile used to be Edinburgh’s neighbouring town. Monks and farmers lived here first, then aristocrats in their splendid mansions, and eventually the destitute workers of the industrial age. Like Mary Queen of Scots and Adam Smith before us, we will walk the cobbled streets and discover 900 years’s worth of history.
The tour is family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible. Dogs are welcome.

This is a guided walking tour of the Canongate, entry to the palace and/or any museums is NOT included.

Meeting Point

The Witches Well

Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK

World's End Pub, the blue building on the corner of the Royal Mile and St Mary's street

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Castle Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

We start our tour at the cradle of Edinburgh: People have lived here since 5,000 years ago.

10 minutes

Royal Mile

High St., , Edinburgh, EH1 2PB

We follow the main street of the Old Town and meet the curious characters who used to live and work here.

20 minutes

Makar's Court

457/1 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh , Behind Lady Stairs Close, Edinburgh, EH1 2NT

We stop outside the Writers Museum (visit is not part of the tour) and find out how Sir Walter Scott “invented” tourism in Edinburgh.

10 minutes

Estatua David Hume

Calle Royal Mile, Edinburgh

What do you think this great skeptic would think about the many people who rub his big toe every day?

5 minutes

Heart of Midlothian

197 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PW

This heart in the cobblestones is not romantic at all!

5 minutes

St Giles' Cathedral

High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE

The venerable cathedral, which is not really one.

10 minutes

Mercat Cross

Mercat Cross, Edinburgh

Tagesschau, Amazon and Netflix of the Middle Ages

10 minutes

Edinburgh City Chambers

45-329 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PN

The town hall with a famous horse and a dark past.

10 minutes

Tron Kirk

122 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QS

The nightmare of all dishonest merchants.

10 minutes

Wellhead At John Knox House

Royal Mile, Eh1 1sr, Edinburgh

Whether the “Scottish Martin Luther” really lived here, we don’t know exactly, but at least we can talk about gold coins and running water.

10 minutes

Tweeddale Court

Tweeddale Court 14 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TE

How could one actually call a taxi in the 18th century...?

10 minutes

The World's End

2-8 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, UK

The corner pub is called "World's End" and the name used to be a program!

10 minutes