- Tours›
- Art, Culture, & Historical
Edinburgh Old Town Private Walking Tour
Joined 2024
Learn about the key moments that shaped the history of the city, walk the cobbled lanes of the Old Town and admire the most famous landmarks on the Royal Mile. You’ll hear about kings and queens, battles and sieges. We’ll also dive into the dark past of the city and recall the stories of murderers, executions and body snatchers. It's not all about history, though! From art and literature to festivals and events, we’ll see how the city blends its historical heritage with a vibrant cultural scene.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
- Meet outside of The Scotch Whisky Experience. This red sandstone building is on the left side of the street as you approach Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
As we admire Edinburgh Castle from its esplanade, we’ll travel back in time to learn about its history and understand its architecture. William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, James VI are some of the historical characters you’ll be introduced to.
The Grassmarket
The Grassmarket offers the perfect backdrop to talk about what life was like in early modern Edinburgh: timber buildings, city wells, markets, executions: get ready to listen to some interesting stories!
Victoria Street
A winding cobblestone lane, Victoria Street features colourful facades and quirky shops. Some say this street may have been one of the sources of inspiration for a very well-know book about magic and a wizard...Have you guessed which one?
Greyfriars Graveyard
We'll enter one of the historical graveyards of the city to talk about the Covenanters, and the Edinburgh body snatchers. As we leave the graveyard we will briefly stop to see the statue of Bobby, Edinburgh's most loyal dog!
The National Museum of Scotland
We'll enter the National Museum of Scotland and walk through the Grand Gallery: with its Victorian glass and steel roof, this space was part of the original museum building opened in 1866.
Note: The museum closes at 5pm, so if you opt for a late afternoon tour, please note we might not be able to see this site. In this case we will plan an different stop.
St. Giles Cathedral
We'll head to St. Giles Cathedral to talk about the Scottish Reformation and the reformer John Knox. We'll also understand why we find a cobblestone mosaic heart and brass cobbles set into the Royal Mile.
The Royal Mile
It's time to explore the Royal Mile! We'll walk in and out of some of its narrow alleyways called 'closes' and recall the stories of those who once lived here. We'll stop in front of the Mercat Cross and understand why there is a unicorn on its top. We'll stretch to John Knox house, and see where one of the city's main gates once stood.
Canongate Tolbooth
We'll stop at the Canongate Tolbooth and explain why, in this part of the city, we find representations of a golden stag’s head with a cross between its antlers. We will then move to our final stop: the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Ending Point
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee
Lunch, coffee and snacks
Tour Important Information
*Tours run rain or shine
*Wear comfortable shoes
*You may wish to bring a waterproof jacket and a small umbrella. It's Scotland after all!
Important message from the supplier
Most of my tours are half-day tours. Please note that even if the online calendar is closed, I might be available to run a tour depending on the time of day. Feel free to contact me to let me know about your preferred day and time for the tour. I will do my best to accommodate your request!
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Irene M.
Born in Milan, I spent my adult life in Edinburgh where I moved in 2009. This wonderful city stole my heart and here I am!
Throughout this period I had the chance to get to know the city and dive in its history, culture and traditions. I hold a PhD and a Masters degree in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh. I have been working as a tour guide in Edinburgh since 2015.
My academic background, teaching experience and passion for history, motivate me to create interesting tour outlines and narratives. I enjoy bringing the stories behind monuments and streets to life! Having worked in the Education Department of local art galleries, I also love to create activities for families and younger audiences.
I am a foodie and always looking for the best eating spots in town! I'd be happy to give you insider's tips and recommend off-the-beaten path restaurants, cafes, bars and food markets. I am also an avid reader, I enjoy Scotland crime novels among other genres - nothing better than a Tartan Noir story!
Despite my reluctance to sit on planes, I love travelling. Guiding clients from all over the world is one of the highlights of my job: it is so enriching to meet people from different countries and share experiences. Having travelled widely makes me sensible to visitors' needs and I realise the importance of meeting expectations. For this reason, all my tours can be customised. I would love to hear from you and create your unique and personalised itinerary!
$370/ per group
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Edinburgh
8 Hour Edinburgh Walking Tour (with breaks!)
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.
Marathon Loch Ness daytrip, Nessie an option...
Leaving from Edinburgh we'll travel North to Loch Ness taking in Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William and eventually Castle Urquhart before heading back to Edinburgh and a late dinner.
Edinburgh Old Town - Castle and Palace
Start to explore the centre of Edinburgh from its majestic castle - learn about its long and distinguished history and enjoy the views from inside. From there we will take a stroll down the "Royal Mile" passing by centuries of history. Once everybody lived together on or close to this historic street and I will show you where famous economists, philosophers and writers rubbed shoulders. We will end up in Scotland's royal palace - Holyrood where the Royal Family still visits every summer.
