I'll show you the highlights of both the New and Old Towns of Edinburgh. We'll visit Edinburgh Castle, lunch in the Grassmarket, walk the length of the Royal Mile and end the day with a visit to Holyrood Palace.
I have presumed a start at the East end of the city but the tour can be adjusted according to your hotel/desired meeting point.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
I'll meet you at your hotel and we'll take a walk to the top of Calton Hill where you have a great overview of the city and its suburbs.
I'll tell you about the origins of the New Town, some of its characters and well wander along George Street to hear the tale of George IV's kilt...
Here we'll see the jewel of Edinburgh's New Town and I'll boast about great Scottish inventors.
We'll walk through the gardens, observe the flowers and I'll explain our 16th century witch problem.
We'll enter the castle and see its highlights, the Honours of Scotland, St Margaret's Chapel, Mons Meg, The National War Memorial, the Napoleonic Prison and the various military museums. I'll also explain how not only Robert the Bruce and Oliver Cromwell were responsible for causing damage to the Castle...
Here we'll pause for lunch in an area filled with bars and restaurants.
We'll start our descent of the Royal Mile passing St Gile's Cathedral, Parliament Square, The City Chambers, The Tron Church and John Konx's house. I'll tell you about some of the characters who lived here, executions, ghosts and controversy.
We'll walk down the last part of the Royal Mile, see the Canongate Tollbooth and Kirk, talk briefly about Outlander, meet Robert Fergusson and discuss the architectural merits of the Scottish Parliament.
Our tour ends with a visit to the palace which has been a "home" to Kings and Queens for centuries.
Unfortunately we now find ourselves at the bottom of a hill... we'll figure a way out of getting back to your hotel or I'll point out a bar or two where you can obtain refreshment!
Holyrood Palace
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee
Lunch
Entry to Edinburgh Castle (£19.50)
Entry to Holyrood Palace (£18.00)
This will be a long day with many hills to climb (unavoidable in Edinburgh). I'm no mountain goat so we'll take our time and have plenty stops.
I am based near Edinburgh and work in the city as well as carrying out day trips from there. I will also accept bookings to tour throughout the country using my vehicle.
I am a Blue Badge Guide, qualified with the Scottish Tourist Guides Association to guide throughout Scotland.
After thirty four years working for a large Scottish law firm and a further four in the wilderness I think I’ve finally found my calling… an opportunity to show visitors my country while telling stories, sometimes tall, while hopefully being educational and entertaining.
I was born and brought up in Edinburgh and have lived in Scotland all my life with the exception of a three year period when I went East to experience another culture. I am of course biased towards what Edinburgh has to offer (it is the greatest city in the world) but acknowledge the depth of history and attraction of our other cities and of course the beauty of our islands, countryside and waterways.
I have worked semi-professionally as a photographer and am familiar with the areas around Scotland where the scenery will bring out the best in your art.
I am also very much interested in our national drink (not Irn Bru) and can guide you around the areas where our many distilleries are situated.
There’s a lot to see and do in Scotland, I’d be happy to be part of your experience.
I am a driver guide with a vehicle which can seat 7 passengers and with a long wheel base to take all of your luggage and shopping!