Edinburgh Full Day Walking Tour With Castle Included

Visit Edinburgh in one day! Old Town, Edinburgh Castle, New Town, the National Galleries of Scotland. Small-group activity. You’ll learn about the history, culture and heritage of the Scottish capital, and there will be a break for lunch.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Charlotte Square - Our tour will start in the West End of Edinburgh where we will introduce the city and its neighbourhoods. In Charlotte Square, we’ll admire elegant examples of neoclassical architecture and understand why Edinburgh is known as the ‘Athens of the North’

  • Georgian House - In Charlotte Square we will talk about the most iconic mansion of the New Town, the Georgian House. We will understand what the layout of Georgian townhouses looked like and what high society life was like in 18th and 19th century Edinburgh.

  • Princes Street Gardens - Princes Street Gardens is one the main parks of Edinburgh, and we’ll cross it from the east to west. We’ll stop to admire the Ross Fountain and other examples of public art. You will also enjoy a great view of the castle and the castle rock from the gardens.

  • National Galleries of Scotland: National - In the Scottish National Gallery we will discover the artworks of some of Scotland’s most famous artists including Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth, and the Glasgow Boys.

  • High Street - We will walk towards the Royal Mile where we will stop for lunch. This area is renowned for its pubs and restaurants and you will have the opportunity to try some delicious Scottish food.

  • Mercat Cross - After lunch we will walk along the Royal Mile where we’ll see the Mercat Cross. This was once used for public announcements and public punishments. We will also explain why the unicorn appears at the top of this structure.

  • St Giles’ Cathedral - In front of the Mercat Cross we will see St. Giles Cathedral. We’ll talk about the architecture of the most important church in Scotland, and discover the history of the Presbyterian religion. We will also walk to West Parliament Square to talk about the Act of Union.

  • Heart of Midlothian - On the other side of St. Giles we will see the Heart of Midlothian, a landmark that marks the spot where the Old Tolbooth once stood.

  • Royal Mile - Leaving St. Giles behind us, we will stroll along the Royal Mile. Here’s we’ll learn what its medieval cobbled lanes, called closes, were and how they were used. There will also be the opportunity to talk about the city’s cultural scene, including its festivals.

  • Greyfriars Bobby - We will walk along George IV bridge. It is time to meet Edinburgh’s most famous and loyal dog, Bobby! We’ll also see the dog statue located just outside of the graveyard.

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard - Behind Bobby, we will find the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard. This historic graveyard we will understand what the Mortsafes are, and learn about the connection between the Scottish Covenants and the George Mackenzie Mausoleum.

  • Grassmarket - After the graveyard we will find the Grassmarket, famous for its pubs and its dark past.

  • Victoria street - From the graveyard, we will walk to the Grassmarket an area famous for its pubs and its dark past. From the Grassmarket we will walk up Victoria Street, the most picturesque and colorful street of Edinburgh.

  • Writers’ Museum - Back on the Royal Mile, we’ll find the Makars’ Court. Here, with the Writer’s Museum as a backdrop, we will talk about Scotland’s most important writers, including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

  • Edinburgh Castle Esplanade - After leaving Makars’ Court, we’ll walk for a few minutes along the top part of the Royal Mile until we reach the Castle Esplanade. Before entering the castle, we will enjoy stunning views of the city and see where the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place.

  • Edinburgh Castle - It is finally time to enter Edinburgh Castle. Once inside, we’ll delve into the history and secrets of this building, and recall the fascinating stories of kings, queens, battles and sieges. After the guided tour you will have the opportunity to explore the indoor areas of the castle at your own pace.

What's Included
  • Edinburgh Castle entrance ticket and guided tour
  • Local Tour Guide
  • Scottish National Gallery guided tour (highlights)
  • The Georgian House (until 31st October 2024)
  • The Dean Village (until 31st October 2024)
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Location
2-4 Hope St
Hope Street
You will meet your guide on the corner of Princes Street, outside of Johnnie Walker and near the Binns Clock. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time to check in.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(166 Ratings)
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Jacqueline_b
Aug 14, 2024
Adam, the guide, was... - Adam, the guide, was excellent. He knew the history and the myths. You could tell he was excited about what he did. He made the trip worthwhile.
Review provided by Viator
Simone_b
Aug 12, 2024
Fantastic! - We had a fantastic time with our guide! Thank you for a wonderful experience! We learned ao much about the history of Edinburgh and had a seamless experience getting into the attractions. Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Arisara_p
Aug 12, 2024
Well organized, kids enjoyed - Mark was really great and highly recommend this tour At the museums he gave us the highlights and stories which was better than just having us roam by ourselves. With kids (7 and 9) that was appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Jackson_b
Aug 11, 2024
Fantastic Walking Tour - Mark was a fantastic host and incredibly knowledgeable about the history and area. For anyone that enjoys walking tours, this one is a must in Edinburgh!
Review provided by Viator
Strongt
Aug 9, 2024
Awesome tour! - Mark is the GOAT 🐐! Very knowledgeable and a great storyteller. Learned so much about the city and its history. My son and I highly recommend Mark and the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blake_b
Aug 6, 2024
Great tour! - This tour was a great way to see the beauty and history of Edinburgh. Our guide, Mark, was very informative and did a great job of connecting the history of each site to tell the overall story of Edinburgh.
Review provided by Viator
Amadom171
Aug 5, 2024
Very good !! - He is a very good guide,he has allot of knowledge and knows how to explain it in an easy way , 100% recommend to book with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_p
Aug 4, 2024
Great introduction to Scotland’s history and Edinburgh highlights - We joined Mark’s tour right after our flight landed in Edinburgh and his incredible knowledge and storytelling were instantly captivating. From classical art to architecture and history to culture, what we learned and saw on this tour was a terrific and comprehensive introduction to Edinburgh. If you only have time for one tour while visiting, this is the one to join!
Review provided by Viator
Tracey_w
Aug 12, 2024
Great way to see the city - Mark was an excellent guide, really knowledgeable about the areas we visited and kept the tour going at a good pace.
Review provided by Viator
Steven_l
Aug 13, 2024
It is a SCAM - There is nothing to remember except bad memories. We cannot find the guide and missed the tour. We were not being refunded. It is a SCAM
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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