Private Old Edinburgh Tour in the Footsteps of Royals and Rogues
by Historic Edinburgh Tours
Choose from 4 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.£85Overview
This private walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town lasts about two hours and is led by a local guide dressed in traditional Highland kilt attire. The guide carries archival photos to show how the city has changed over time alongside the historic sites visited. The tour begins inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the story of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous dog, is shared. It then continues to Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket, where a significant Scottish wedding and the route of the pre-wedding party are explained. Next, the tour covers several locations along the Royal Mile, including places where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood, a courtyard with royal connections, and the story of Deacon William Brodie, a notorious rogue who was hanged. A brief history of St Giles Cathedral and the old Mercat Cross is given, including tales related to Bonnie Prince Charlie. The tour visits an atmospheric Old Town close with memorable stories. The Cowgate area is explored to reveal the living conditions of Edinburgh’s Victorian poor, a section often missed by other tours. Two stops connected to the University of Edinburgh follow. The first stop discusses Burke and Hare, infamous murderers, explaining their crimes and fate. The final stop is near Old College or, if accessible, inside Old College, where a dramatic and explosive story about the site is shared. The guide may also explain the traditional Highland outfit worn during the tour. The tour includes the local guide service but gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Greyfriars
The tour begins just inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, where participants learn about Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous dog. Different versions of his story are presented for guests to consider.
15 min
Grassmarket
Next is Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket area. The guide explains one of Scotland’s important weddings and its impact on Edinburgh, following the route taken by the pre-wedding party.
25 min
Royal Mile
Several stops are made along the Royal Mile. These include the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, a small courtyard with royal connections, and a recount of Deacon William Brodie’s story. A short history of St Giles Cathedral is given, followed by a visit to the site of the old Mercat Cross. The guide shares the significance of this site in relation to Bonnie Prince Charlie before visiting an Old Town close with memorable stories.
40 min
Cowgate
The tour includes a visit to Cowgate, an area often skipped by other tours, to explain the living conditions of Edinburgh’s poor during the Victorian era.
10 min
University of Edinburgh
Two stops related to the University of Edinburgh conclude the tour. The first discusses the murderers Burke and Hare, detailing their crimes and eventual fate. The final stop is near or inside Old College, where the guide shares an explosive story connected to the building. The guide may also talk about the traditional Highland outfit worn during the tour.
30 min
Meeting point
Just inside the main entrance, next to the grave of Greyfriars Bobby (the pink headstone which you see as soon as you enter the Kirkyard). Greyfriars Kirkyard, Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QQ
End point
We usually end this tour on South Bridge, ten minutes from our starting point at Greyfriars.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Private Old Edinburgh Tour in the Footsteps of Royals and Rogues
by Historic Edinburgh Tours
Choose from 4 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.£85Overview
This private walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town lasts about two hours and is led by a local guide dressed in traditional Highland kilt attire. The guide carries archival photos to show how the city has changed over time alongside the historic sites visited. The tour begins inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the story of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous dog, is shared. It then continues to Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket, where a significant Scottish wedding and the route of the pre-wedding party are explained. Next, the tour covers several locations along the Royal Mile, including places where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood, a courtyard with royal connections, and the story of Deacon William Brodie, a notorious rogue who was hanged. A brief history of St Giles Cathedral and the old Mercat Cross is given, including tales related to Bonnie Prince Charlie. The tour visits an atmospheric Old Town close with memorable stories. The Cowgate area is explored to reveal the living conditions of Edinburgh’s Victorian poor, a section often missed by other tours. Two stops connected to the University of Edinburgh follow. The first stop discusses Burke and Hare, infamous murderers, explaining their crimes and fate. The final stop is near Old College or, if accessible, inside Old College, where a dramatic and explosive story about the site is shared. The guide may also explain the traditional Highland outfit worn during the tour. The tour includes the local guide service but gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Greyfriars
The tour begins just inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, where participants learn about Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous dog. Different versions of his story are presented for guests to consider.
15 min
Grassmarket
Next is Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket area. The guide explains one of Scotland’s important weddings and its impact on Edinburgh, following the route taken by the pre-wedding party.
25 min
Royal Mile
Several stops are made along the Royal Mile. These include the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, a small courtyard with royal connections, and a recount of Deacon William Brodie’s story. A short history of St Giles Cathedral is given, followed by a visit to the site of the old Mercat Cross. The guide shares the significance of this site in relation to Bonnie Prince Charlie before visiting an Old Town close with memorable stories.
40 min
Cowgate
The tour includes a visit to Cowgate, an area often skipped by other tours, to explain the living conditions of Edinburgh’s poor during the Victorian era.
10 min
University of Edinburgh
Two stops related to the University of Edinburgh conclude the tour. The first discusses the murderers Burke and Hare, detailing their crimes and eventual fate. The final stop is near or inside Old College, where the guide shares an explosive story connected to the building. The guide may also talk about the traditional Highland outfit worn during the tour.
30 min
Meeting point
Just inside the main entrance, next to the grave of Greyfriars Bobby (the pink headstone which you see as soon as you enter the Kirkyard). Greyfriars Kirkyard, Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QQ
End point
We usually end this tour on South Bridge, ten minutes from our starting point at Greyfriars.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.