Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Historic Edinburgh Tours! We will take you on a fascinating journey through the historic streets of the Old Town. You'll get to explore the very places where some of Scotland's most famous (and infamous) characters once walked and lived. From Mary, Queen of Scots to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Deacon Brodie and more, this is an unmissable opportunity to discover Edinburgh's rich history.
Robert, your local guide, will come dressed in a kilt for your private tour. He will also carry a book of archive images. Robert will show you the city's iconic landmarks while sharing fascinating insights into its past. With our archive images, you'll be able to see how Edinburgh has changed over the years - and even compare it to its present-day counterpart. This is an experience not to be missed for history buffs and tourists alike!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Greyfriars
Your tour starts just inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. You'll find out about Edinburgh's famous 'wee dug'; Greyfriars Bobby. There are a number of versions of his story. We'll let you make your own mind up!
Grassmarket
Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket will be next on your route. You'll find out about one of Scotland's most significant weddings and how it affected Edinburgh. You'll follow the route of the pre-wedding party.
Options
Private Tour for 2 people
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 6-10 people
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 1 person
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 3-5 people
Duration: 2 hours
What‘s Included
Local guide
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
238 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An Unforgettable Edinburgh Walking Tour with Robert
radiospike,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert at Historic Edinburgh Tours delivered an absolutely exceptional walking tour of Edinburgh. From the very first stop, his depth of knowledge, engaging storytelling, and genuine passion for the city brought every street and landmark to life. He struck the perfect balance between history and entertainment, making the experience both informative and memorable for everyone in our group. What really stood out was how he connected with us... answering questions, adding personal touches, and keeping the energy high throughout the tour of Old Town, New Town, The Royal Mile, graveyards and more. He even had props that kept us laughing. Our entire group loved every minute of it, and we left with a much deeper appreciation for Edinburgh’s rich past. I already booked another tour for my next visit. If you’re visiting the city, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Robert - you won’t regret it!
Exceptional
I8631DPannet,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert is exceptional at tailoring the tour and painting an interesting picture of the multi-faceted city. Highly recommend.
Definitely worth doing!
T8797JVsarahm,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert was really interesting and engaging. I've lived in Edinburgh for 20 years and I saw bits thats I've never seen before. I would definitely recommend.
Engaging and Exciting Tour of Old Edinburgh
AntheaJG,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An informative and engaging tour for P7's from Robert today. The children loved all the stories and facts especially the more gruesome ones! The tour was tailored to the interests of the class and it worked brilliantly! Lots of discussion and questioning made it a very active session for the whole class. They loved it! Highly recommend.
Fantastic tour with a fantastic person!
Claire M,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert is the absolute best! We had a ball spending our first afternoon in Edinburgh in his company. My husband and I weren’t sure which of his tours we wanted to book, so he ended up taking us on a bespoke tour of the city made to match our interests. His love of Edinburgh, his depth of knowledge, and his kindness and humor made for a fabulous all-around experience. We agree that this tour was probably the highlight of our trip, and just a wonderful way to start off our time in the city. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide. Robert is truly a gem. If you have the opportunity, be sure to book with him - you won’t regret it!
Fantastic tour!
Lisa B,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Look no further than this tour with Robert! We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 hour walk around old town. He tailored the walk to our interests. Great day!
Highly Recommended Tour
Jet20850332308,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert is a very engaging and well researched tour guide. It was like walking around the Old Town with an old friend. Robert is great at delivering a tour for adults and children alike. You will be recommending Robert to friends when you get home. Highly recommend.
Old Edinburgh Primary 7 School Trip
hollyrT7500NU,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked the Old Edinburgh walking tour for our 3 primary 7 classes to support our Old Edinburgh topic. It was amazing! Having been taught by Robert myself I knew it would not disappoint. The tour was engaging, pitched at the right level and loved by all the children and our adult helpers. I’m amazed at how much was packed into 90 minutes. The props, handouts and interactions made the experience! As a teacher it was excellent to hand over to an expert, the children gained a lot of knowledge and visited places they’d never been before. I couldn’t recommend the tour enough and we will definitely be back again! King’s Park Primary, Dalkeith
Great Old Edinburgh tour
EdinburghGlaswegian,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A school trip around old Edinburgh. Tour was great and set at the right pace. Robert was enthusiastic, very informative and kept 30 kids engaged and interested. In fact his stories and info were enough to keep them quiet. No mean feat! Lots learned about Edinburgh’s history for the kids and adults alike. That the kids were talking about things that he said later on is proof enough. Fully recommend.
Fabulous highly recommended tour!
laurenaH7415CJ,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a private walking tour with Robert and it was fabulous. He focused on tailoring the tour to my children (ages 7, 9 and 11). He was extremely flexible when they decided they were hungry and suggested a place for them to pop in and grab a quick snack to take walking with us. All three of my children were completely engaged the entire time (no small feat) and all three said that this tour was their favorite thing we did in Edinburgh. This is seriously high praise, particularly from my youngest child who typically does not really enjoy guided tours and becomes easily bored. I really can't say enough good things and would highly recommend booking with Robert. Really totally top notch, interesting for the whole family with stellar communication.
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Operated by Historic Edinburgh Tours