Guided tours of Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and constantly ranks as one of the top destinations in the world, featuring on many bucket lists.
Old Town and Hidden Gems
Our walking tour starts at the Castle Esplanade but, if you like, we can arrange a short visit to the historic Castle beforehand. Now let’s walk down the ‘Royal Mile’ – so called because of the Royal Castle at the top and the Royal Palace at the bottom. Let’s discover what life was like hundreds of years ago in the Old Town where people lived close together and sanitation was crude – after all, there is a reason that Edinburgh was referred to as ‘Auld Reekie’!
We can then disappear down a few alleyways, known here as ‘closes’ to hear real-life tales about medieval city living and discover some of the less well-known Edinburgh spots.
Who were the characters who lived in this street and how did they manage to live so close to one another in tenements – surely the first example of city ‘sky-scrapers’?
But there’s more… much more…
Find out why – and when – the current Queen Elizabeth comes to stay in Edinburgh and meets lots of strangers in her gardens? What is the connection between James Hutton, ‘Father of Geology’ and we suspect the first real ‘Time Traveller’ and the vast ancient volcano known as Arthur’s Seat?
And why is it called ‘Arthur’s Seat’ anyway…??
At the end of the tour, you may wish to spend time exploring the National Museum of Scotland and getting a bite to eat in its award-winning Café – or just taking the children to visit the wee dog, known as ‘The Greyfriars Bobby’ and pose for a selfie. Or perhaps you would just like to grab a coffee and go for a stroll on the expansive Meadows and listen to the free entertainment.
Edinburgh New Town
Edinburgh isn’t just the Old Town – its ‘New’ town, dating from the 18th Century, is equally fascinating. A half-day tour would start at St. Andrews Square – the original banking and financial centre of the city. Due to overcrowding in the ‘Old Town’, the architect, James Craig, was given the task of developing a new city for the ‘well-to-do’ in 1767. We will discover some of the famous people who inhabited these beautiful Georgian houses. We will walk along George Street – as busy a thoroughfare nowadays as it was two centuries ago – glimpsing views of the castle and the Forth estuary as we gaze along the side streets. We’ll pause at Charlotte Square – Robert Adam’s architectural masterpiece – and see where the First Minister of Scotland – our ‘Prime Minister’ resides.
We will continue into Moray Place where opulent town houses for the very rich – and their servants – were created. It’s a peaceful walk as we discover hidden gardens, where famous artists, writers and scientists lived and worked. We will also walk to see the largest church built in Scotland since the Reformation and discover more about the men and, in particular, the women who created the Edinburgh we know today.
If weather and access permits a full-day tour might also include a walk along the Water of Leith – clean and scenic now but once heavily polluted with the various industries dotted along its riverbanks. Now it’s a magical walk in the heart of the city and we will hear about the industrial past as we wander along to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and enjoy its grounds and its eclectic mix of art. There will be an opportunity to stroll along to Stockbridge – which has a village-like feel in the middle of the city. We can also see where the very first rugby international took place in 1871.
All of our walking tours can be tailored to what you want to see and experience. If you’re unsure, then let us help you. We can design a tour that takes in your interests and favoured sights, Or leave it to us and we’ll slot in a few secret places off the well-trodden paths.
SUNSHINE (and sunset) ON LEITH
Leith is Edinburgh’s port and gateway to the world and has played an important part in its history. “Leithers” have kept their independence and it was a hard-fought battle to incorporate Leith into the City of Edinburgh. The port has changed immensely since Mary, Queen of Scots, arrived here in 1561 to reclaim the Scottish throne.
This was a shipbuilding centre and so it’s no surprise that the Queen’s yacht Brittania is here for all visitors to explore. But Leith has MORE…not many people know that under the grassy Leith Links is the site of the graves of many plague victims or that a woman was executed here for cursing the king or that the ghost of a headless coachman still haunts the Tolbooth Wynd.
It was Leith’s disused train station which inspired Irvine Welsh’s successful Trainspotting novel and the subsequent film was shot here. There’s definitely more to learn about Leith and you can sit and relax at one of the many restaurants and cafes or, if you’re feeling particularly extravagant, treat yourself to lunch at a Michelin-star restaurant.
Whatever the tour, we’ll be letting you into some secrets about Edinburgh and its residents.
All of our walking tours can be tailored to what you want to see and experience.
If you’re unsure, then let us help you. We can devise a tour that takes in your interests and favoured sights. Leave it to us and we’ll slot in a few secret places off the well-trodden paths.