Edinburgh Private Guided Walking Tour with Professional Historian
by Edinburgh Guided Tour
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£315Overview
This private guided walking tour of Edinburgh is led by professional historians and local experts. The tour normally begins at 9.30am at the Usher Hall, a concert hall donated to the city by the guide’s great-great uncle, but can start at a hotel within the city centre if preferred. The morning tour runs until 1.00pm, the afternoon tour from 2.00pm to 5.30pm, and a full-day option is available from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Groups include up to 12 people. The tour starts with an outside view of Edinburgh Castle, where the guide explains its history and connections to Scottish royalty. Entry inside the castle is optional and requires an additional fee. The walk continues through the Old Town and along the Royal Mile, covering many narrow alleys and historic buildings linked to important events in Scotland’s past. The tour includes a visit inside St Giles' Cathedral, the mother church of Presbyterianism, to see its detailed interior. On the full-day tour, the route extends to the New Town to view its Georgian architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a visit outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Entry inside the palace is optional for an extra charge. If weather conditions are poor, the tour may include a visit to the National Galleries of Scotland to see works by old masters; this visit is optional. The tour is conducted entirely on foot, involves some hills and steps, and operates in all weather conditions. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Edinburgh Guided Tour
The tour usually begins at the Usher Hall, a concert venue gifted to the city by the guide’s great-great uncle. The group typically stays outside and does not enter the hall.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
Guests see the exterior of Edinburgh Castle while the guide explains its turbulent history and the Scottish monarchs connected to it. Entry inside the castle is possible for an extra charge of £19 per person.
15 min
Edinburgh Old Town
The guide leads the group on foot through the many narrow closes and wynds of the Old Town, pointing out buildings linked to significant historical events in Scotland.
150 min
Royal Mile
Walking along the Royal Mile in the Old Town, guests explore more closes and wynds, learning about the historical importance of the area and its buildings.
150 min
St Giles' Cathedral
Visitors enter St Giles’ Cathedral, recognized as the mother church of Presbyterianism, to view its architectural style and interior details.
15 min
New Town
Included only on the full-day tour, the walk covers the New Town’s extensive Georgian architecture, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
45 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
On the full-day tour, guests view the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Entry inside is optional and costs £17 per person.
60 min
National Galleries Scotland: National
This stop is usually chosen if the weather is poor. Guests may decide whether to enter the galleries to see a collection of old master artworks.
50 min
Meeting point
Please meet your guide outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall.
End point
Tour will normally end near the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens but we can vary that to end at e.g. guest's hotel
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Edinburgh Private Guided Walking Tour with Professional Historian
by Edinburgh Guided Tour
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£315Overview
This private guided walking tour of Edinburgh is led by professional historians and local experts. The tour normally begins at 9.30am at the Usher Hall, a concert hall donated to the city by the guide’s great-great uncle, but can start at a hotel within the city centre if preferred. The morning tour runs until 1.00pm, the afternoon tour from 2.00pm to 5.30pm, and a full-day option is available from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Groups include up to 12 people. The tour starts with an outside view of Edinburgh Castle, where the guide explains its history and connections to Scottish royalty. Entry inside the castle is optional and requires an additional fee. The walk continues through the Old Town and along the Royal Mile, covering many narrow alleys and historic buildings linked to important events in Scotland’s past. The tour includes a visit inside St Giles' Cathedral, the mother church of Presbyterianism, to see its detailed interior. On the full-day tour, the route extends to the New Town to view its Georgian architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a visit outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Entry inside the palace is optional for an extra charge. If weather conditions are poor, the tour may include a visit to the National Galleries of Scotland to see works by old masters; this visit is optional. The tour is conducted entirely on foot, involves some hills and steps, and operates in all weather conditions. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Edinburgh Guided Tour
The tour usually begins at the Usher Hall, a concert venue gifted to the city by the guide’s great-great uncle. The group typically stays outside and does not enter the hall.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
Guests see the exterior of Edinburgh Castle while the guide explains its turbulent history and the Scottish monarchs connected to it. Entry inside the castle is possible for an extra charge of £19 per person.
15 min
Edinburgh Old Town
The guide leads the group on foot through the many narrow closes and wynds of the Old Town, pointing out buildings linked to significant historical events in Scotland.
150 min
Royal Mile
Walking along the Royal Mile in the Old Town, guests explore more closes and wynds, learning about the historical importance of the area and its buildings.
150 min
St Giles' Cathedral
Visitors enter St Giles’ Cathedral, recognized as the mother church of Presbyterianism, to view its architectural style and interior details.
15 min
New Town
Included only on the full-day tour, the walk covers the New Town’s extensive Georgian architecture, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
45 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
On the full-day tour, guests view the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Entry inside is optional and costs £17 per person.
60 min
National Galleries Scotland: National
This stop is usually chosen if the weather is poor. Guests may decide whether to enter the galleries to see a collection of old master artworks.
50 min
Meeting point
Please meet your guide outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall.
End point
Tour will normally end near the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens but we can vary that to end at e.g. guest's hotel
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.