Royal Mile and Old Town 3-Hour Walking Tour in Edinburgh
by Edinburgh Guided Tour
Choose from 2 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.£70Overview
This is a walking tour lasting about three hours through Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Old Town. The group is kept small, with no more than 12 participants, guided by a professional knowledgeable about the city's history and landmarks. The tour visits the secret closes and wynds, along with major sites such as St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars’ Kirkyard. The route includes viewing the Baroque-style Usher Hall, then walking to Edinburgh Castle where you will see the castle from various viewpoints outside and hear about its role in Scottish history including the Wars of Independence and the Stuart dynasty. The tour continues to Grassmarket, once the medieval marketplace, near George Heriot School, which inspired Hogwarts. You will visit Milne’s Court to learn about 17th and 18th century living conditions, then see Old Town tenement buildings at James Court and the Jolly Judge pub. The Writers' Museum is available to enter to see exhibits about Scotland's literary figures. The outside of Riddle's Court, once home to philosopher David Hume, is also on the route. Next is Deacon Brodie's Tavern, where you learn about the man behind the Jekyll and Hyde story. St Giles' Cathedral is viewed from outside with its medieval and reformation history explained. The tour continues past Edinburgh City Chambers, Mercat Cross, and other Royal Mile highlights before crossing the bridge near Edinburgh Waverley Station leading to Princes Street Gardens. Finally, the group sees the Scott Monument marking the boundary between Old and New Towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The guide shares stories about Edinburgh’s writers, poets, economists, and historical figures throughout the walk. This tour does not include entry fees except for the optional visit inside the Writers' Museum. Gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Usher Hall
View the Baroque 'Beaux Arts' style Usher Hall located in central Edinburgh. It was donated to the city by Andrew Usher, the great great uncle of Stuart Usher.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
See Edinburgh Castle from outside at various vantage points. Learn about its history including the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Stuart dynasty, and the Union of the Crowns.
35 min
Grassmarket
Visit the historic Grassmarket area which was Edinburgh’s medieval marketplace. Nearby is George Heriot School, known as the inspiration for Hogwarts.
15 min
Milne’s Court
Explore Milne’s Court and hear about how people lived during the 17th and 18th centuries in this location.
10 min
Jolly Judge
View typical Old Town tenement buildings in James Court and see the Jolly Judge pub, known for its distinctive character.
10 min
Writers' Museum
Opportunity to visit inside the Writers' Museum, which displays items related to Scotland's famous literary figures.
20 min
Riddle's Court
See the exterior of Riddle's Court, the former home of philosopher David Hume, a key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment.
10 min
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
Learn about Deacon Brodie, the historical figure who inspired the story of Jekyll and Hyde, at his namesake tavern.
20 min
St Giles' Cathedral
View St Giles' Cathedral from outside and hear about its importance during the Middle Ages and the Reformation periods.
20 min
Edinburgh City Chambers
See the City Chambers, Mercat Cross, and other notable sites along the Royal Mile’s busy center.
10 min
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Cross one of the first bridges connecting Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, leading toward Princes Street Gardens.
10 min
Scott Monument
View the Scott Monument, a tall landmark marking the division between the Old and New Towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
10 min
Meeting point
Your guide will be waiting for you outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall (there are 3 entrances and he will be outside the middle one).
End point
The tour ends by the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Royal Mile and Old Town 3-Hour Walking Tour in Edinburgh
by Edinburgh Guided Tour
Choose from 2 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.£70Overview
This is a walking tour lasting about three hours through Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Old Town. The group is kept small, with no more than 12 participants, guided by a professional knowledgeable about the city's history and landmarks. The tour visits the secret closes and wynds, along with major sites such as St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars’ Kirkyard. The route includes viewing the Baroque-style Usher Hall, then walking to Edinburgh Castle where you will see the castle from various viewpoints outside and hear about its role in Scottish history including the Wars of Independence and the Stuart dynasty. The tour continues to Grassmarket, once the medieval marketplace, near George Heriot School, which inspired Hogwarts. You will visit Milne’s Court to learn about 17th and 18th century living conditions, then see Old Town tenement buildings at James Court and the Jolly Judge pub. The Writers' Museum is available to enter to see exhibits about Scotland's literary figures. The outside of Riddle's Court, once home to philosopher David Hume, is also on the route. Next is Deacon Brodie's Tavern, where you learn about the man behind the Jekyll and Hyde story. St Giles' Cathedral is viewed from outside with its medieval and reformation history explained. The tour continues past Edinburgh City Chambers, Mercat Cross, and other Royal Mile highlights before crossing the bridge near Edinburgh Waverley Station leading to Princes Street Gardens. Finally, the group sees the Scott Monument marking the boundary between Old and New Towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The guide shares stories about Edinburgh’s writers, poets, economists, and historical figures throughout the walk. This tour does not include entry fees except for the optional visit inside the Writers' Museum. Gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Usher Hall
View the Baroque 'Beaux Arts' style Usher Hall located in central Edinburgh. It was donated to the city by Andrew Usher, the great great uncle of Stuart Usher.
10 min
Edinburgh Castle
See Edinburgh Castle from outside at various vantage points. Learn about its history including the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Stuart dynasty, and the Union of the Crowns.
35 min
Grassmarket
Visit the historic Grassmarket area which was Edinburgh’s medieval marketplace. Nearby is George Heriot School, known as the inspiration for Hogwarts.
15 min
Milne’s Court
Explore Milne’s Court and hear about how people lived during the 17th and 18th centuries in this location.
10 min
Jolly Judge
View typical Old Town tenement buildings in James Court and see the Jolly Judge pub, known for its distinctive character.
10 min
Writers' Museum
Opportunity to visit inside the Writers' Museum, which displays items related to Scotland's famous literary figures.
20 min
Riddle's Court
See the exterior of Riddle's Court, the former home of philosopher David Hume, a key figure of the Scottish Enlightenment.
10 min
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
Learn about Deacon Brodie, the historical figure who inspired the story of Jekyll and Hyde, at his namesake tavern.
20 min
St Giles' Cathedral
View St Giles' Cathedral from outside and hear about its importance during the Middle Ages and the Reformation periods.
20 min
Edinburgh City Chambers
See the City Chambers, Mercat Cross, and other notable sites along the Royal Mile’s busy center.
10 min
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Cross one of the first bridges connecting Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, leading toward Princes Street Gardens.
10 min
Scott Monument
View the Scott Monument, a tall landmark marking the division between the Old and New Towns, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
10 min
Meeting point
Your guide will be waiting for you outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall (there are 3 entrances and he will be outside the middle one).
End point
The tour ends by the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.