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Edinburgh Unwrapped

Edinburgh Walking Tours

Take a guided Edinburgh walking tour to discover the city's history, stories and hidden gems.

Outlander Private Walking Tour - walk in Jamie and Claire's footsteps to follow their story and discover life in 18th century Edinburgh.

Walking Tours of Edinburgh & Self Drive Tours of Scotland

Enjoy a private guided walking tour of Edinburgh with Elspeth, a friendly, qualified and experienced local Scottish guide. Your tour of Edinburgh is specially designed and created just for you. This means you’ll have a unique guided walk, which will fit in with the time you have available, and your own personal interests.

Alternatively, scheduled public small-group tours are also available to join. These group tours follow a set route to see key locations, historic highlights and hidden gems.

If you’re not sure what you want – don’t worry I’m here to help and advise you. You’ll find that a walking tour is the best possible way to see the historic city centre. Whatever type of walking tour of Edinburgh you decide to take, my aim is to make it a truly unforgettable experience. Together we’ll explore places you might have easily passed by. During your Edinburgh walking tour we’ll uncover the stories, rich history and fascinating facts about the city, its people and its buildings.

About Your Edinburgh Tour Guide

Your Edinburgh walking tour will be guided by me, Elspeth McLean, the founder of Edinburgh Unwrapped. I’m a professional tour guide who has been connected with Edinburgh nearly all my life. So this gives me a real insight into Edinburgh’s culture and history. I’m also an accredited member of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association. As a result, you can trust that even my most incredible stories of Edinburgh’s colourful characters and historic past are authentic and true. During your walking tour I’ll share my enthusiasm and knowledge of Scotland and Edinburgh in a fun and informative way. Along our route you’ll find out about our local history, culture, legends and secrets. Find out more about Elspeth…

Self-Drive Tours of Scotland

If you’d like to discover more of Scotland, we also offer tailored self-drive tours. You can expect the same level of individual attention to create your ideal Scottish holiday planned just for you. Find out more on our Tailored Self-Drive Tours Page.

Featured Tours

The Royal Mile Stories & Secrets Small Group Walking Tour

This small group walking tour will follow the route of the ancient Royal Mile. Discover its unique history, stories of its colourful characters and its hidden secrets.

A Tale of Two Cities Private Tour

Highlights and hidden gems of the Old Town and New Town. Discover the best of both worlds & the two different sides of Edinburgh's split personality.

Outlander Private Walking Tour

Come with me as we follow in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire, immersing ourselves in the atmosphere and history of 18th century Edinburgh.

Customised Edinburgh Tours

Unique tailored tours created just for you because one size does not fit all.

Latest Posts

Moray House: A Wedding, 4 Executions and the end of an “auld sang”

21st May 2024

Old Moray House has been right at the heart of some of Scotland’s key historical moments. Uncover its rich past and the stories it has to tell.

11 Top Insider Tips to Get the Best out of your Trip to Edinburgh

30th June 2022

Make sure you get the best out of your trip to Edinburgh, whatever time of year you come. Here are some of my insider tips to help you plan and make the most of your city break.

Two of Edinburgh’s Most Popular Historic Stories

28th February 2022

This year we are celebrating Scotland’s ‘Year of Stories’. What better place to discover historic myths and legends than on a tour in Edinburgh? Find out two of Edinburgh’s most popular historic stories.

What our customers say

I can’t recommend Elspeth enough. She’s a true Scottish treasure and I am looking forward to her next tour! She opened our eyes to the many layers of hidden history within the beautiful city of Edinburgh and we didn’t want each day to end. There’s so much to see in and around Edinburgh that each tour is different yet equally as captivating as the last.

Elspeth’s stories were so interesting and funny and I experienced for the first time in my life how enjoyable sightseeing can be. It was very easy to follow Elspeth and I really liked her knowledge and charisma. She had the perfect mix of information and stories about people’s lives that we found interesting.

Elspeth’s tour is so great, I learned a lot and I will miss my slice of Edinburgh life. Edinburgh is an amazing and fantastic city and I will recommend to anyone who would like to learn about the city in such a friendly environment with Elspeth. Especially people who are really into Harry Potter or studying literature or history.

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We are an Edinburgh Tour company offering private and group walking tours of Edinburgh. We also plan amazing self-drive tours of Scotland tailored for you.

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15 Best Tours in Edinburgh [2024]

Boasting a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the most iconic castles on earth, elegant Georgian architecture and much more, the Scottish capital surely belongs on everyone’s bucket list. If you want to discover this enchanting city, then booking the best tours in Edinburgh is an easy and enjoyable way to do exactly that. 

This guide to the best Edinburgh tours is here to help you choose which tours you should take. From foodie or whisky tasting experiences to spooky, Harry Potter and hop-on hop-off tours, there really is so much scope in this stunning city. 

Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 1.5 hours

Booking an Edinburgh castle tour can really help you make the most of visiting this famous location. I t also includes skip-the-line entry to save you precious time . 

The experience commences with a walk up the Royal Mile, before taking your guided tour of the famous fortress. This includes explanations of the castle dungeons, the iconic one o’clock gun salute and the Argyle Battery. 

→ Click here to check prices and availability

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐| Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If the best underground tour in Edinburgh is what you want to find, check out this spooky tour of the city’s ancient underground vaults. It’s said that ghosts lurk here beneath the Old Town, and during the one hour tour your guide will regale you with gory tales about witchcraft and historic murders in the area.

Exploring the South Bridge vaults puts an entirely new spin on things, so don’t miss this if you want to see a different side to this elegant city!

Edinburgh: The Dark Side Walking Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

Another of the more quirky Edinburgh tours is this Dark Side walking tour. Expect to hear all about Burke and Hare, the city’s most notorious murderers, as well as the trials and even burnings that witches once endured. The practices of grave robbing and body snatching, plus stories of real life vampires and cannibals, are also discussed.

Sites visited during the tour include narrow, twisting alleyways, Calton Hill, the Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery. The tour finishes at a local pub near the Royal Mile where you can purchase a beverage to steady your nerves!

Edinburgh: Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If all that after-dark activity sounds a little too gruesome for your tastes, then the best ghost tour in Edinburgh to book might be a more light-hearted comedy horror trip. Your conductor will share tales of ghosts, murder, grave robbings and victims of the plague as you ride around town.

The tour takes you through both the ancient Old Town and the Georgian New Town. It all takes place aboard a restored and black-painted vintage double decker bus. This was the sole survivor of the Necropolis Bus Company fleet, following a rather mysterious 1967 fire. This is a fun, light-hearted tour and a perfect option if you’re travelling with teenagers!

Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

This highly rated city tour of Edinburgh allows you to truly explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the safe hands of your knowledgeable tour guide, you’ll stroll along the twisting streets of the historic Old Town.

Expect to be enjoyably entertained throughout this tour, as your guide shares all the stories you’ll want to hear about the Scottish capital. Sights to see include the old pubs of Grassmarket, places that inspired J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, St. Giles Cathedral and more. 

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 2 hours

Should you be seeking fun Edinburgh tours for the whole family, this Harry Potter locations tour could be spot-on. As well as sites associated with the books and movies about the boy wizard, you’ll also visit key Edinburgh landmarks such as Princes Street, the Old Town and the castle.

J. K. Rowling wrote much of the books in Edinburgh, and during the tour you’ll see sights that inspired her works. These include the Castlehill graveyard that doubles as Voldemort’s final resting place, and winding lanes that Diagon Alley was based on. 

Edinburgh: JK Rowling’s Edinburgh & the Writing of Harry Potter

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 4.25 hours

Another contender as best walking tour in Edinburgh for a Harry Potter fan is this magical guided tour with Sam. Discover the many Edinburgh locations that inspired JK Rowling. You’ll also get the chance to find out which Hogwarts house you’d be placed in. As well as whether you’re a muggle, a squib or a pure-blood witch or wizard. 

It’s worth noting that this is a long tour lasting over 4 hours so if you’re short on time or prefer a shorter walking tour, check out the other Harry Potter tour listed above.

Edinburgh: Comedy Walking Tour with Professional Comedian

Rating: 4.9⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 2 hours

This walking tour led by a professional comedian has to be among the most entertaining tours in Edinburgh. Setting out from the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club in the Old Town, you’ll learn all sorts of fun local facts and trivia during the two hour walk.

Expect some swearing, adult humour and a strong Scottish accent from your guide, which is why this tour is intended for over-16s only. If you want to know why the gun salute takes place every day at one o’clock or other city facts, this could be your chance to find out. This recent review says it all:

“BEST SIGHTSEEING TOUR EVER! Seriously guys, if you’re thinking about booking any of the walking tours through Edinburgh, THIS ONE is the one to go for! Daniel is not only incredibly funny, but also really knows his Scottish History!”

Edinburgh: 24-Hour Family-Friendly Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Rating: 4.5⭐ | Price: $ | Validity: 1 day

As with many cities across the world, some of the best tours of Edinburgh are jump-on, jump-off bus tours where you can travel when you please. This one is especially family friendly, and tickets are valid for 24 hours. 

With stunning city views throughout, this tour allows you to see places like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, the New Town, Castle Rock and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can hop off whenever you like to explore further, before boarding another bus to take you somewhere else. 

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $$ | Validity: 2 days

Royal Edinburgh is the focus for this hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Tickets include three fast-track entrance tickets for the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle as well as flexible transport for up to 48 hours.

To simplify things even further, your pass includes use of buses operated by three different hop-on-hop-off bus tour companies. These are Edinburgh Tour, Majestic Tour and Edinburgh City Sightseeing.

Edinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting

You simply cannot come to Edinburgh as an adult without sampling the famous Scottish tipple! This whisky tasting and tour allows you to do exactly that. Your guide will also teach you about the five Scottish whisky-making regions. 

Comprising close to 3,500 bottles, one of the largest whisky collections on the planet also forms part of this tour. Single malt and blended whisky tastings are also included, and you’ll also get a crystal tasting glass to keep as a souvenir. 

Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

Another option for whisky lovers! If you’re looking for something to do in Edinburgh during the evening, how about this whisky tasting experience? It includes local history and folklore tales, so you can learn about the city while sipping for single malts.

The tour takes place on the atmospheric Royal Mile, after meeting your guide at the aptly-named Hot Toddy. With the whole of the first floor reserved for your group, there’s plenty of space to stretch out in while learning about Scottish whisky production. You’ll also sample four distinctive single malts from different distilling regions of Scotland. You can also choose to do the tour with no drinks included.

Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour

Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $$ | Duration: 3 hours

Whether you’re searching for unusual tours in Edinburgh because you’re a second-time visitor or because you really like to get under the skin of a city, this secret food tour can tick that box. Lasting for three hours, you’ll make half a dozen stops to sample Scottish delicacies.

Food and drinks to taste during the tour include haggis, neeps and tatties (mashed swede and potatoes), local cheeses, scones with butter and jam, gin and of course single malt whisky. The secret dish might also tickle your tastebuds. 

Edinburgh: Silent Disco Adventure Tour

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1 hour

If you want to experience Edinburgh in a truly unique way, then surely this Silent Disco tour is unbeatable! It’s not for shy and retiring types, though, as you’ll need to sing and dance your way through the city streets.

Moving through the historic Scottish capital to hits from several decades, you’ll pass lots of famous landmarks en route. It’s a different way to see the city, that’s for certain. 

Edinburgh: Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making

Rating: 5⭐ | Price: $ | Duration: 1.5 hours

A tour of Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium also provides visitors with something different to do while visiting the city. During the 90 minute experience you’ll discover how chocolate is produced, from South American cacao plantations to the finished bars available from Scottish chocolate makers.

You can even make your own chocolates, including the flavours of your choice, as part of the tour. Sampling Scottish and global chocolates is also included, with options ranging from chilli to whisky. I took my daughter here for something a little quirky to do together and we had such a fantastic time!

Whether you prefer the idea of dancing and singing your way through the streets, laughing until your sides split or visiting a Chocolatarium, we hope you’ve enjoyed discovering 15 of the finest Edinburgh city tours!

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THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Tours & Excursions

Edinburgh tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

2. Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

3. Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

4. Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

5. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

6. City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

7. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh

8. Private Edinburgh Photoshoot - Couples & Solo Travellers

9. Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

10. The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

11. Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission

12. Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour With Castle Included

13. St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

14. Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

15. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William Tour from Edinburgh

16. Skip-the-Ticket-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour

17. Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

18. Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh

19. Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh

20. Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

21. Day Trip to St Andrews and Scottish Coastal Villages

22. Royal Edinburgh Ticket - Hop-On Hop-Off and Attraction Admissions

23. Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

24. Outlander Locations Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

25. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

26. Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle Day Tour

27. Private Tour of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

28. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

29. Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour - Tickets Included

30. Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

What travelers are saying.

• Elisabet M 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles More than Loch Ness This was a day tour amazing. Our Choffer-guide was Brain and the experience was delightful. He is a great story teller and we learnt a lot about Scotland. Highly recommended. The Loch Ness little town is very interesting not only for the Loch boat trip. If one likes to get an overview of the Scotland Highland, that is the day trip to choose. Read more Review of: Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh Written June 7, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Quendelyn T 0 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Brendan DistilleryAdventures of Lochness Brendan is really great! He is a very lovely man with lots of stories and adventures to share! The whole trip is very entertaining and accommodating! Brendan and the whole company thumbs up! Read more Review of: Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh Written June 6, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

All-Star Guides

Walking Tours of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Walking Tours

Discover edinburgh’s charm with our guided walking tours.

Edinburgh is a city steeped in history, from its medieval Old Town to the Georgian New Town, and our walking tours are designed to showcase the best of what the city has to offer. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history or folklore, we have a walking tour for you. And if you’re looking for something more tailored to your interests, we offer private tours that can be customized to fit your schedule and preferences.

EDINBURGH WALKING TOURS

Old Town Stories

RUNS: Daily, 10:00 and 13:00

Edinburgh Dark History

RUNS: Daily, 18:00

Edinburgh Castle

RUNS: Daily, 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00

PRIVATE TOURS

If you see something you like but it doesn’t fit your schedule, or if you’re travelling with a larger group than our booking system accommodates, contact us! We can help. All our public tours are delivered in English, but we offer private tours in Spanish, German and Portuguese.

LOCAL GUIDES, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Our guides are locals who have called Edinburgh home for many years, and have insider knowledge of the best places to eat, drink, and shop. They’ll provide you with expertly researched knowledge, as well as recommendations for things to do and see after your walking tour, ensuring that your Edinburgh experience is unforgettable.

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Edinburgh in a Day Tour with the National Museum of Scotland

• High Kirk of St Giles
• Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace
• Scottish National Gallery

• Get our most comprehensive view of Edinburgh in a full-day journey through its Old and New Town sites
• Led by a local expert specializing in history or art

• Edinburgh Castle (exterior)
• Holyrood Castle (exterior)
• National Museum of Scotland
• 8-hour private tour with a Ph.D. or MA-level historian
• Morning coffee

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

Edinburgh Food Tour: Scottish Culinary Traditions

Dean Village Tour: Off the Beaten Path in Edinburgh

Full-Day Scottish Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh with Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace

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Latest reviews

• Edinburgh Free Tour 10.00 06/05/2024 Sagar India I travelled with small children
• Edinburgh Free Tour 10.00 06/02/2024 Alexander The United States I travelled with friends

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Highlands & Glencoe Day Trip

Edinburgh Underground Ghost Tour

Edinburgh Free Tour

Edinburgh Outlander Tour

Holyrood Palace Tickets

Transfers in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Hop On Hop Off Bus

Holy Island & Alnwick Castle Day Trip

Forth Boat Tour

Day Trip: Stirling, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Dinner and Traditional Scottish Show

Ghost Tour of Edinburgh

Royal Edinburgh Ticket

Harry Potter Train Tour

Edinburgh Pub Crawl

Get lost in the lively Scottish nightlife with this route across five of the capital's best pubs . Pints of beer, live music... let's get this party started!

West Highland Lochs, Mountains & Castles Day Trip

Rosslyn Chapel and the Borders Day Trip

Edinburgh Food Tour

The best tours & experiences in edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a must-see destination with a multitude of activities to discover. Explore the magical places of Harry Potter and book your experiences with Civitatis for a memorable stay.

What to see in Edinburgh

Scotland's capital is a city full of mystery and charm. Start by visiting Edinburgh Castle , then take a stroll along the Royal Mile , a historic street that links the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Don't miss the National Museum of Scotland  and St Giles Cathedral , which will immerse you in Scottish history and culture.

In the footsteps of Harry Potter

Edinburgh is also famous for being the city where J.K. Rowling wrote much of the Harry Potter saga. Explore the beautiful areas that inspired the books, such as Victoria Street , which is said to be the origin of Diagon Alley and  George Heriot School , said to have served as inspiration for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With Civitatis, you can enjoy a tour which brings you to these areas which served as inspiration for the series!

Excursions near Edinburgh

To get more of a taste for Scotland, there are lots of day trips and excursions to the Scottish Highlands , Loch Ness and more with Civitatis. Let local experts guide you for a total immersion in Scotland.

Other attractions in Edimburgo that might interest you

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 Edinburgh Tour Guides

We are a family run tour company that prides itself on providing private tours of Edinburgh and Scotland. With your time in Scotland we will show you the best views, locations and landmarks. All while providing historical background of Scotland and making each trip individual.

Every tour we operate is unique. From a Day Trip from Edinburgh to an Outlander Experience Tour or to a Multi-Day Tour of Scotland . Each experience is different, however we guarantee to make your trip memorable.

Our private premium service includes knowledgable local tour guide, bottled water and hotel pick up and drop off.

Make sure to check our gallery to see more of what we do! We look forward to taking you on a tour with us soon.

Private Tours of Scotland

Day Tours From Edinburgh

Edinburgh Walking Tours

Outlander Locations Tours

Day Tours From Inverness

Provided by our sister company Hidden Scotland

Shore Excursions

Multi-Day Tours of Scotland

Build your own customised tour of scotland with us., let us help you plan your trip of a lifetime. we can help plan your tour, recommend accommodation and more. email us today..

Where to Find Us

Top Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

2. Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

3. Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

4. Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh

5. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

6. City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

7. Isle of Skye, Highlands and Loch Ness 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh

8. Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

9. The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

10. Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission

11. Day Trip to St Andrews and Scottish Coastal Villages

12. Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour With Castle Included

13. St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

14. Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

15. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Fort William Tour from Edinburgh

16. Skip-the-Ticket-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour

17. Evening Whisky Tasting in a Traditional Edinburgh Bar

18. Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

19. Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh

20. Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh

21. Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

22. Royal Edinburgh Ticket - Hop-On Hop-Off and Attraction Admissions

23. Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

24. Outlander Locations Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

25. 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh

26. Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle Day Tour

27. Private Tour of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

28. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

29. Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour - Tickets Included

30. Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

What travellers are saying.

• Elisabet M 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles More than Loch Ness This was a day tour amazing. Our Choffer-guide was Brain and the experience was delightful. He is a great story teller and we learnt a lot about Scotland. Highly recommended. The Loch Ness little town is very interesting not only for the Loch boat trip. If one likes to get an overview of the Scotland Highland, that is the day trip to choose. Read more Review of: Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh Written 7 June 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Quendelyn T 0 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Brendan DistilleryAdventures of Lochness Brendan is really great! He is a very lovely man with lots of stories and adventures to share! The whole trip is very entertaining and accommodating! Brendan and the whole company thumbs up! Read more Review of: Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh Written 6 June 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Most Popular!

Group Walking Tour – Edinburgh

Quick Details

• Tag Category: Walking Tour
• Hour Glass Duration: 3 Hours
• The walking tour focuses on the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of Edinburgh.
• Schedule: 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily
• Departure Point: Usher Hall
• Start your holiday with us and let us give you inside knowledge on what to see, where to go, and things to do.
• Our public tours always have a maximum of 12 guests per tour to ensure an engaging experience for all.
• The starting point for our group tours is outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall in Lothian Road.
• Your guide will stop at a cafe around half-way through the Group Tour, so you can have refreshments
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible as there are some steps.

Join us for our Group Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Come on a walking tour in Edinburgh with us to discover the secrets buried within the tenements and dark closes of Old Town & Royal Mile, surrounding the castle. Built on centuries of struggle and shaped by the most extraordinary – and daring – of peoples, the historic sites that punctuate Edinburgh’s magnificent skyline and Royal Mile are brought to life on this Old Town Walking Tour. Unexpected curiosities and hidden places of peace abound in these amazingly well-preserved streets of stark contrasts.

Your walking tour of Edinburgh will explore the ancient burgh of Edinburgh; a tour designed for the more discerning wanderer. Taking you from the early 11th century, to the time of the founding of Holyrood Abbey in 1128 and St. Giles Kirk in 1130, and then onward.

Your guide can illustrate how Edinburgh followed the usual pre-requisites for a medieval city, boasting a castle, burgh and abbey. Learn how it progressively encapsulated the ensuing centuries of turmoil in this eclectic array of timber-framed houses, monuments and markers to the good, the bad and downright ugly. Saunter by churches, pubs, museums, gardens, shops and more! The topsy-turvy nature of the Royal Mile & Old Town is simply NOT to be missed in its exciting and chaotic array.

Learn about the real-life character who inspired “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”, stop by the congenially quaint coffee-house, which once served as a retreat for many a budding-writer. Most notably J. K. Rowling, who enjoyed astonishing success with the Harry Potter series, and Alexander McCall Smith. Then see and visit the High Kirk of St. Giles, now widely known as St. Giles Cathedral (and find out who was responsible for its name-change). Meander down the Castlehill and Lawnmarket, observe the change in street levels from the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket, the High Street of the Royal Mile, and see the ogee- domed turrets and elegant chimneys of Edinburgh’s school for “Fatherless Bairns”. Finally, the verdant expanse of Princes Street Gardens delineating the separation of Old & New Towns and its wonderfully varied selection of attractions.

Find out what life was really like in the medieval Old Town, from the roofed red-clay pantiles of John Knox’s House to the chapel where the Knights of the Order of the Thistle undergo their investiture ceremonies.

Step back in time, in the company of writers, philosophers, body-snatchers, witches (and a faithful Skye terrier as well) and let your guide “make history come alive!”

There will be no more than 12 of you on the walking tour in Edinburgh to ensure your full engagement and involvement.

Book your tour today. You will not regret it.

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• Hour Glass 3.5 or 7 Hours
• Tag Walking Tour

Private Edinburgh Walking Tour

Customisable tours to suit your taste. Our private tours allow your group to have an educated guide all to yourselves.

Tours, guides and itineraries

There’s a new story to discover around every corner at Edinburgh Castle.

To make sure you don’t miss any, we offer some great ways to explore this Scottish icon, including some suggested itineraries you can follow if you prefer to explore at your own pace.

Itineraries

• Portcullis Gate
• Argyle Battery
• Lang Stairs
• and much more...

Just an hour

• St Margaret's Chapel

Royal Route

• Castle Timeline

Military March

• Fight for the Castle - Argyle Tower

• Foog's Gate

Family Day Out

• Children's Quiz
• Lang Stair (family)
• Dog Cemetery (family)

British Sign Language Tour

• BSL Welcome
• BSL - How old is the castle?
• BSL - One o’ Clock Gun

Official Guided Tour

Be shown around the castle by those who know it best, our wonderful castle guides!

Castle guides will share stories from the most besieged place in Britain. Be entertained by tales of kings and queens past and discover the must-see spots around the castle. You will also be able to take in the spectacular views of Scotland’s capital along the way.

Our tours now include our brand-new audio tour guide system.

Official Guided Tour tickets include admission to the castle and a 30-minute guided tour. Please choose your tour time when booking.

29 March to 30 September: 9.45am, 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm, 2.45pm, 3.15pm and 3.45pm. 

Book tour tickets

Book partner organisation tour tickets, important information.

• Official Guided Tours are £3.50 per visitor. Availability is limited on tours and all visitors must pre-book in advance of arrival. Tours are free for Historic Scotland members
• All visitors with pre-booked tour tickets must arrive at the Tour Meeting Point (just through the Main Gate and to the right. View a map ) 15 minutes before the pre-booked tour time start time stated on their ticket. Entry to the castle can be very busy so please allow additional time
• If visitors miss the tour start time, they will not be able to join the tour, or any tours later that day
• Upon arrival at the Tour Meeting Point, visitors will be issued a portable wireless receiver and headset
• Tours may be adapted or cancelled in poor weather conditions. If cancelled, visitors will be emailed with as much notice as possible and will be automatically refunded for the price of their tour ticket.
• Tours will take place outdoors, please dress accordingly including sensible footwear. The route requires visitors to walk on steep and cobbled walkways
• Further information on accessibility at the castle can be found in the Access Guide .
• Tours are given in English only

Audio guides

Our audio guide features the voices of four time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, celebrated TV and movie actor Bill Paterson and Outlander’s Andrew Gower. Let them take you on a journey and learn about the castle and the people and events that stand out most in its fascinating past.

You can hire an audio guide device from the ticket office and audio booth, or pre-book online when you buy your tickets. 

Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. Large Print is also available. 

You can also use our guide with your own mobile phone or tablet, instead of a headset. You'll need to bring your own fully charged mobile phone or tablet with internet, and we'll show you how to load it in an email before you arrive.

Audio guides are subject to availability.

20% discount

For Historic Scotland Members and Explorer Pass holders.

New 3D Model

This 3D model has been populated with information giving you an immersive digital tour of the Castle and gives the chance to explore hidden parts too.

View the 3D Model in Sketchfab

FREE PUBLIC TOURS

PRIVATE TOURS

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF

•  Established 2012  •

The ORIGINAL and BEST

Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh

and it's FREE!

Edinburgh Tour

Tripadvisor!

Celebrating 11 years!

2012 - 2023

Our FREE tours in Edinburgh depart every day at 12pm! Book your place now.

Book a paid PRIVATE tour at a time to suit you.

We offer discounts on private tours for SCHOOL and educational groups.

and share the magic with a friend or loved one...

Or click here to find out what our tour covers and why we're the best in Edinburgh!

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Got a question for us? Contact our Head Wizard Sam at:

[email protected]

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Daily Tour 10:30 (Mon- Sat) - July 2024

Join our friendly and knowledgeable guides to learn about the story of St. Giles'.

Select date and time

• Tuesday July 2 10:30 AM
• Thursday July 4 10:30 AM
• Friday July 5 10:30 AM
• Saturday July 6 10:30 AM
• More options

St Giles' Cathedral

Refund Policy

About this event.

Book here to join a volunteer guide for a 45 min - 1 hour glimpse into the history, heraldry and life of our historic Cathedral and Thistle Chapel.

Groups will be a maximum of 10 people per tour. Space will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Bookings are by donation - pay as much or as little as you like, online or on the day. Please book together as a household, if you can.

If you have any access needs, please email [email protected] to let us know, with your tour date as the subject line. Alternatively, call 0131 226 0674. We will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Please arrive 5 minutes before the tour starts. If you are late, we may give your slot away to someone else, so we cannot guarantee you will be able to join.

Please let us know if you cannot make the tour, as demand is high and so we will offer your space to someone else.

Group tickets are capped at 5, if you wish to bring more than 5 people on a tour please contact us directly. Thank you.

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