Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh: Uncovering the Origins of Scotland's Coffee Trade

Uncover the fascinating history of Scotland’s coffee trade on a small-group walking tour in Edinburgh. Visit original historic coffee houses, including an exclusive access to an 18th Century meeting point. Discover an underground section of the city not open to the public for 200 years!

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Lost Close - Events & Experiences - We have exclusive access to a hidden, underground space, which was once a coffee house dating back to the 18th century, used by prosecutors and pirates alike.
    For the second half of our tour, we’ll be exploring a series of underground rooms, where we’ll drink coffee and finish our tour. There are also toilets…
What's Included
  • Experienced Local Guide
  • Tea and coffee
Additional Information

Experience a unique tour in Edinburgh that takes you around the history of Scotland’s coffee industry. Our journey includes visiting the locations of historic coffee establishments in Edinburgh, and a privileged access to the former ‘John’s Coffee House’. Here, we conclude our tour with a cup of coffee in a gathering place of the 18th Century for…

Location
CoDE Pod – THE CoURT
Parliament Square
Behind St Giles Cathedral, in the corner of Parliament Square, you'll fin the statue of James Braidwood, and next to that is the Code Pod Hostel where we'll meet you at reception!
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(57 Ratings)
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Stay18020114161
Oct 19, 2024
Coffee & History!! - Tour was a phenomenal mix of stories and historical facts that often touched on coffee and more peripheral information surrounding it. James was a very passionate and affable guide who encouraged questions and conversation. Great coffee and great tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
564kathleenk
Oct 19, 2024
Fun! - James has an amazing depth of knowledge about coffee history and it's arrival in Scotland. Was very entertaining and fun....also, exceptional coffee was served. 😀
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hayleybq2713is
Sep 29, 2024
Rad time! - Sarah was the best! So informative, friendly, and makes a mean cup of coffee! The tour was super interesting, the perfect amount of history and coffee lore.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Judy_m
Aug 30, 2024
Interesting view of the underground - Seeing the continuing excavation of the underground with a very interesting guide…and the coffee of course.
Review provided by Viator
Gitteherdin_a
Jul 27, 2024
Loved it - Lovely coffee, great stories. Jackie is a coffee enthusiast and it shows. The whole setting at the Lost Close is brilliant.
Review provided by Viator
Bonnie_r
Jul 9, 2024
Book it! - We loved this tour! Had no idea what to expect and it far exceeded our expectations. We learned a lot, laughed along the way, enjoyed delicious coffee, and got to experience a unique surprise at the end. So much fun…you’ll be glad you said yes to this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Ingrid_k
Jul 6, 2024
Coffee, and more coffee - In 90 minutes I got a lot of information about coffee in Edinburgh since early 1700. Sarah is a great storyteller. She showed lovely places and especially their own Lost Close! And 2 cups of lovely coffee.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_s
Jun 18, 2024
A different perspective - Very unique! James is a great story teller. This was our first experience in Edinburgh and it was the perfect way to start the day.
Review provided by Viator
Gina_m
May 16, 2024
So unique! - So unique and so authentic- not a tourist trap! We learned a lot about the history of the close and the coffee trade. James was amazing!
Review provided by Viator
Anonymous
May 29, 2024
Disappointed that tour didn’t happen - The tour was canceled because the guide was ill and the tour operator didn’t have anyone to replace them.
Review provided by Viator
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