Edinburgh History Tour: New Town with a Historian

Explore the UNESCO-protected New Town and immerse yourself in Georgian architecture
From US$454 privately
Book a Tour
Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • The Georgian House
  • Charlotte Square
  • Moray Place
Photos & Highlights
  • Historical tour of Edinburgh’s New Town area
  • Led by an expert in architecture or history
Select a date
Tour Description
Edinburgh's New Town embodies the Age of Enlightenment. Rational, classical, and beautiful—this part of the city provides a fantastic backdrop for an introduction to the city. During this 3-hour Edinburgh History Tour of New Town, we will visit Calton Hill, Charlotte Square, and the residences of some of Edinburgh's most famous 18th-century citizens. Along the way we'll get an in-depth explanation of Georgian architecture and the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment, coming away with a stronger understanding of the city's critical role in that period.

Edinburgh History Tour

We begin our tour on Calton Hill with its spectacular views of the Kingdom of Fife and the Highlands across the Firth of Forth. Here we will also have an impressive vantage point over the neoclassical New Town neighborhood of Edinburgh. We'll meet James Craig, the architect responsible for the layout of this part of the city during the 18th century, and also the seminal Enlightenment thinker, Robert Adam. And we'll discuss how they determined the look and character of this part of Edinburgh and how it adheres to the ideals of the day.

Age of Reason Architecture

The New Town's grid of broad, straight streets, was the largest of its time in Europe and is comparable to Bath in demonstrating the symmetry of the Age of Reason. As we walk its streets, we'll learn why this part of the city was built to relieve the overcrowded, disease-ridden tenements of the medieval Old Town. We'll also draw parallels to Italy and France and learn how Robert Adam borrowed many of his ideas from the classical buildings he saw on his Grand Tour in Italy.


Learn more about the other half of the city on our Edinburgh Old Town Tour.

Athens of the North

The ‘Hellenic’ site of Calton Hill, with its copies of Greek temples, is a fitting introduction to the classical theme which we shall pursue in admiring the elegant architecture of Charlotte Square, among other masterpieces of urbanization. The copy of the Parthenon (an unfinished memorial to the soldiers who died during the Napoleonic Wars) on its ‘Acropolis’ gives Edinburgh its soubriquet of ‘Athens of the North’.


We will stroll through the pleasant streets and circuses between generous areas of parkland in this UNESCO World Heritage city, which epitomizes the glories of civilized living in the drawing-rooms of the Bourgeoisie. Many of these elegant estates were the homes of Age of Enlightenment-era luminaries such as Adam Smith, David Hume, and James Young Simpson, the pioneer of anesthesia. We can visit the Georgian House, furnished in the contemporary style by the National Trust, and admire public buildings like the register house, the churches, and the assembly rooms, while looking at such details as the blond sandstone, the footscrapers, and the wrought–iron balconies.

Take Aways

By the end of the walk, we will have a deep understanding of the architectural and social development of Edinburgh in the past three centuries. We will appreciate its role as a beacon of progress and culture in the country as well as in Europe and the world.


Want to take a different look at Edinburgh's history? Try our Edinburgh Ghost Tour.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The walk begins near the Calton Hill area. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24-hour phone number for any last-minute issues. The walk typically ends near the Georgian House.


What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.


Is this tour good for kids?
Yes! We have excellent family-friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide.


Is this a walking intensive tour?
This walk covers about 1.5 miles overall at a gentle pace. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the bathroom, and get something to drink if needed.
Experts
Terry Terry
Historian
Lorna Lorna
Local Guide
Ruth Ruth
art historian
Adam Adam
Local Guide
David David
Guide
Eleanor Eleanor
Local Guide
Jonathan Jonathan
Local Guide
Jenny Jenny
Historian
Claire Claire
Local Guide
Irene Irene
Art Historian
Gains Kirkland Gains Kirkland
Local Guide
Hugh Hugh
Local Guide
Kate Kate
Historian
Alexander Alexander
Local Guide
Ruaridh Ruaridh
Local Guide
Where You'll Start
(4.64) 31 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Irene’s tour of Edinburgh’s New Town was phenomenal. Her breadth of knowledge, relaxing delivery, entire demeanor were all terrific. We would love for her to guide us everywhere/anywhere!
We had an interesting and very informative time with Irene. Her extensive art background brought another dimension to our experience.
The contrast between Old Town and New Town was stunning! Our walk with Jenny was like catching up with a friend while learning all the facts around us at the same time!