Edinburgh Old Town History Walking Tour

Make the most of your time in Edinburgh. Spend a couple of hours strolling through the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town. Hear about Edinburgh's history, characters and events that shaped this wonderful city. The Royal Mile leads down from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If you have a special interest let us know we can tailor for you. Harry Potter, Outlander or the Jacobite's or a mix of everything, history, architecture and people from the past.

Meeting Point

The Hub

The Hub, Edinburgh EH1, UK

The Hub is a former Church with huge red front doors. Please meet your guide outside the venue at the front of the building. Beware of following your maps blindly, they take you to the private side entrance. Look for the guide in a Kilt or Baseball had with a Castle Logo on the front.

What's included:

• Local guide
• Private tour
• Professional guide

Not included:

• Food and drinks

What to expect:

Duration: between 2 hours and 3 hours

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Castle Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

Views of Edinburgh Castle from the outside.

Pass by without stopping

Gladstone's Land

477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2NT

Fine example of one of Edinburgh's oldest houses.

Pass by without stopping

Writers' Museum

Lady Stairs House Lady Stair's Close Lawnmarket, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2PA

now a museum this building has a fascinating past

Pass by without stopping

St Giles' Cathedral

High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE

The building and it's history will be discussed from outside, however if you would like the guide will be happy to give you a brief introductory tour of the inside. Donation is requested.

20 minutes

Mercat Cross

Mercat Cross, Edinburgh

See the site of Proclomations and executions, punishments and markets.

Pass by without stopping

John Knox House Museum

43-45 High Street, , Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

Vied from the outside hear the history of this interesting House and it's new use.

Pass by without stopping

Canongate Kirk

153 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BN

Viewed from the outside, you will walk around the church hearing about it's history and the history of some of the burial grounds interesting inhabitants.

5 minutes

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

A modern piece of Architecture built on the site of an old brewery. Hear about it's history.

Pass by without stopping

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX

The end point of our tour is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, here you will view the palace from the outside, hear about Mary Queen of Scots, James the IV and David I and the Augustinian Canons

Pass by without stopping

Bakehouse Close

Edinburgh

A brief stop to see some interesting architecture, hear stories of the people who lived here and about some filming that took place here.

5 minutes

Dunbars Close Garden

137 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BW

Discover a spot of tranquility in the centre of the city in one of the Old Towns hidden gems, laid out as a 17th C garden

Pass by without stopping