• St Giles’ Cathedral - Begin your tour at St Giles’ Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture and a pivotal site in Edinburgh’s religious history. It’s the perfect starting point to delve into the city’s past.
• Royal Mile - Walk along the Royal Mile, the historic heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This iconic street is lined with landmarks, shops, and cafes, offering a vibrant glimpse into the city’s medieval life.
• Adam Smith Statue - Visit the statue of Adam Smith, the father of modern economics. Learn about his revolutionary ideas that shaped economic theory and his influence on the Enlightenment.
• Surgeons’ Hall Museums - Discover the fascinating Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which showcase the history of medical advancements in Edinburgh. Built on the proceeds of criminal activity, these museums reveal a darker side of the city’s past.
• Old College, The University of Edinburgh - Step into the Old Quad at the University of Edinburgh. This historic site played a significant role in promoting specialized expertise in various academic fields during the Enlightenment.
• Princes Street Gardens - Stroll through Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful public park that offers a serene escape and picturesque views of the surrounding architecture. This is also a great spot to learn about the city’s green spaces and their history.
• Scott Monument - Admire the Scott Monument, a towering tribute to Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most famous literary figures. Hear about his contributions to literature and his lasting legacy.
• St. Andrew Square Garden - Relax in St. Andrew Square Garden, a lovely green space in the heart of the New Town. This garden is surrounded by impressive Georgian architecture and statues of notable figures.
• James Clerk Maxwell Statue - See the statue of James Clerk Maxwell, a pioneering physicist whose work on electromagnetism laid the foundation for modern physics.
• Charlotte Square Private Garden - End your tour at Charlotte Square Private Garden, a beautiful Georgian square designed by Robert Adam. This serene spot exemplifies the elegance and architectural innovation of the New Town.

• Unlimited, lifetime use of the tour before and after booking date
• Virtual playback option to listen like an audiobook from anywhere
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
• Self-guided GPS tour for flexible exploration
• Directions to the starting point for automatic tour start

• Smartphones and headphones (please bring your own)
• Entrance fees

This self-guided audio tour takes you on a journey with the intellectual giants and freethinkers who put Edinburgh on the map. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Edinburgh.

When Edinburgh’s Old Town became overcrowded and filthy in the 1700s, a radical plan was devised to build a new town with wide, clean streets and gracious Georgian housing. On this walking tour, you’ll discover how this radical thinking wasn’t restricted to town planning.

Along the way, you’ll hear about David Hume, Adam Smith, Walter Scott, and James Hutton, all giants of Europe’s Enlightenment Movement, a period of intellectual fervour in the 1700s.

You’ll discover how Edinburgh broke free of traditional thinking and flourished as a centre for new ideas in Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Geology, Philosophy, Education and the Arts. You’ll also hear how this put the city on the intellectual map, with its thinkers and inventors influencing the world.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.