Introduction to Edinburgh: Exploring Old Town

Your essential primer on Edinburgh's Old Town

$379 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History, Orientation, Four Days in Edinburgh
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Edinburgh

Photos & Highlights

Get acquainted with Edinburgh's Old Town
Led by an expert in history or local culture
Holyrood Palace, High Kirk of St Giles, and Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk

Tour Description

Puzzled by wynds and closes? Join this three-hour Old Town Edinburgh Tour with a local historian and learn all about the city's history. We'll trace the Royal Mile that runs between the Palace of Holyroodhouse, official residence of the Queen and the Castle. This part of the city is crammed with old mansions and other landmarks that provide the perfect backdrop for an examination of social history, political intrigue, and possibly even ghost stories. This walk is perfect for first timers, or those looking to develop a more comprehensive view of the city.

Included

3 hours with a PhD or MA-level guide

Itinerary Details

We'll begin this tour in the shadow of Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat, dramatic parts of Holyrood Park, which formerly served as the royal hunting grounds. Before us lies the Canongate, the eastern edge of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, once a separate burgh that was developed around a twelfth-century abbey. We'll begin our explorations here with some background on the basics of Scottish history and how to read the city.

We'll move on to admire seventeenth-century mansions clustered nearby that were once owned by such luminaries as Adam Smith. We'll also visit sites of old breweries and sugar houses and take a glimpse of the city's industrial past and of the slums, where overcrowding and disease forced the extension to New Town, north of the Nor’ Loch. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the social history of Edinburgh more generally.

We'll learn about the Scottish alleyway, called a close, and wander through many of them in the Old Town along our tour. Each close has a story to tell: of royal murders, espionage intrigues, and former craftsmen’s guilds. We'll visit the Canongate Tolbooth, which incorporates the legal and administrative aspects of the burgh. We shall see how this part of Edinburgh is closely connected with Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, both of whom stayed in the palace at different times.

At the end of the Canongate stands the Flodden Wall, which kept the citizens of Edinburgh in and invaders out. As the name of a local pub recalls, it was for them the world’s end. The Netherbow Port, a bridge on which the heads of traitors were impaled, formed a barrier across the street. We can see a section of the ancient wall as well as the house John Knox, the first Protestant Minister of St.Giles, lived in.

At the end of our tour we will have seen how the Royal Mile functioned as the central spine of a town where medieval ‘skyscrapers’ were criss-crossed by narrow wynds. We will come away with an understanding of some of the most key moments that took place in these streets and buildings, which shaped both Edinburgh, and Scotland's past.

For an in-depth look at Edinburgh's other half, try our Edinburgh History Tour of New Town. Hungry? Try our Edinburgh Food Tour.

FAQ

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
Generally speaking, the walk begins near the National Museum of Scotland 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 Netherbow Port.

Is this tour good for kids?
Yes! We have some excellent family friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. 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 mile overall at a gentle pace. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the bathroom, and get something to drink if needed.

Does this include Edinburgh Castle?
You'll see Edinburgh Castle from the exterior, but the tour does not include an interior visit. An interior visit can be added to a private tour for an additional 2 hours, or can be arranged as a separate private tour on a custom basis.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Andrew

Following a degree in modern languages from the University of Glasgow, Andrew spent many years as a teacher. He has experience with both children and adults, working in as varied environments as prestigious day schools, colleges, and Her Majesty's Prisons. He has traveled widely in Europe, spending a number of years working in Austria. Andrew holds the Blue Badge tourist guide credential for Edinburgh, and has a special interest in the interplay of religious and cultural history, both in Scotland and the wider world.

Alexander

Alex Collins is a PhDl student in the History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, where he researches medieval art and architecture.. He studied his MA in Art History and English at the University of St Andrews in 2009, before working in heritage and local government. At the University of Edinburgh, Alex teaches art and architectural history.

Irene

Born and raised in Milan, Irene moved to Scotland in 2009. She achieved a PhD in Art History at the University of Edinburgh in 2015. Her doctoral thesis looked at the artistic patronage of the Vespucci family in fifteenth-century Florence. Irene currently works at the University of Edinburgh. She loves art, coffee, yoga, and the sun – not necessarily in this order. Despite her reluctance to sit on planes, she is a travel addict and she hopes to tour the world one day. Edinburgh stole her heart and it is now her home.

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138 Reviews – (4.81)

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

Terry was amazing. She was incredibly knowledgable and engaging and the 3 hours flew by. I've been on many guided city tours and Terry was the best guide I've ever had,

Kimberly

Aug. 11, 2022

Irene is wonderful; knowledgeable and friendly and a great communicator. I had an excellent three hours with her and despite heat and crowds, her enthusiasm and good spirit never faulted. The tour was an excellent introduction to Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile.

Nancy

Aug. 11, 2022

Hugh was terrific. Knowledgeable. Nice pace. Five stars from these Canadians!

Susan

Aug. 10, 2022

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Introduction to Edinburgh: Exploring Old Town

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Itinerary Details

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