Medical and Surgical History of Edinburgh - Private Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Let an Edinburgh doctor take you on a deep and fascinating trip into our medical and surgical history!
On this three to four hour tour, we'll be circumnavigating the Old Town, visiting the sites and buildings where our medical history was forged, and learning how Edinburgh transformed from a sleepy outpost into a world-renowned powerhouse of medical training and research. We'll hear of student drudgery and drunkeness, of lightning-fast surgeons, and of the women who battled tirelessly to be the first to study medicine here. Not to mention scandals, feuds, and famous former Edinburgh medics such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin, and the man who became Dr Frankenstein!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Because of the distance (approx 2.5 miles), we would not recommend the tour for persons with chronic and/or painful musculoskeletal health conditions.
What To Expect
Royal Mile
We'll begin the tour walking down Edinburgh's oldest street, finding out about the origins of Edinburgh Medicine and Surgery, and seeing the alleyway where our College of Physicians began.
Just off the Cowgate we'll locate Robertson's Close, site of 'The Little House', our first teaching hospital, before exploring the complex of its successor, the first Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Options
Medical and Surgical History of Edinburgh - Private Walking Tour
What‘s Included
All guiding and commentary is inclusive.
We take a refreshment cafe stop, but food and drink is not inclusive.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent time spent with a born teacher
douglasw220,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dr. Grigor clearly has both a love of and an understanding of the history of medicine as seen through the very significant and pertinent lens of Edinburgh. Both his enthusiasm and depth of knowledge was on full display during our tour and the time literally flew by. I believe his presentation would be appreciated even by the non-medical person but to a trained physician (and physical therapist wife) it was more than delightful. What a great way to spend a day in Edinburgh.
A gem of a tour, not to be missed
K3818THronm,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently attended a History of Medicine tour with classmates who graduated from Edinburgh half a century ago. This may have been a bespoke tour for our group. I can’t recommend the experience highly enough. Moray is a natural born storyteller who could not be dull if he tried. You will hear the history of Edinburgh medicine set in the context of national and international developments, and you will leave feeling as if you have personally met many of the great characters in the story. Quite an uplifting morning
A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
vjh158,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I organised the trip for a large group of medical friends and partners direct with the operator/guide. It was easy to arrange as he was helpful and flexible. The walking tour itself was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Lots of interesting, varied and relevant information that was well presented with the right amount of humour, easily heard and not rushed. The feedback from the group was enthusiastic. Several commented that they would be keen to go on another of the available walks All in all a real success and I would have no hesitation in recommending.
Moray was a fantastic...
Barbara P,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Moray was a FANTASTIC guide! His knowledge was encyclopedic and his enthusiasm was much appreciated. It was a highlight of our trip.
Go deeper in medical history!
Vicky A,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Moray is well prepared, very knowledgeable, and people-oriented. If you want to go deeper in the medical history of Edinburgh, it's THE tour to do. I was impressed and being a lab technician in a hospital, he adds interesting and pertinent information.
Great tour.
Mary H,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Interesting stories about history of medicine and surgery, not just in Edinburgh but throughout the world. And very informative information on the early history of women in medicine.
Dr. Grigor is amazing, a...
Ashley C,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Dr. Grigor is amazing, a very warm and knowledgeable tour guide. The tour was excellently paced, and we had great chat about healthcare and history.
The Experience of a Lifetime!
Connie P,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Words will not be chosen lightly… To say our experience exceeded our expectations is a terrible injustice. We learned so much meaningful and profound information we had never heard of before. The entire time was filled with wonderful & surprising insights into the history of healthcare. But it wasn’t just the information- the delivery was superbly entertaining so the time passed magically through the walk. This experience is one of a lifetime - DONT MISS IT!
Excellent Edinburgh medical and social history.
Ian M,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Quite a lot of information to take in…we absolutely loved it, and Grigor clearly enjoys sharing his knowledge of the stories and evolution of medicine and medical education in Edinburgh. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the social history of medicine, as it played out across the centuries in Edinburgh.
Great walk around edinburgh and finding out how medical education evolved
Camper79697,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Moray Grigor was excellent in explaining the evolution of medicine particularly the differing stances of the physicians and the surgeons. Great to finish on the upbeat of women forcing themselves into the teaching halls despite fellow male students throwing food at them and putting a sheep in with them for the final exam!
Related Experiences
Operated by 7 Hills Tours Edinburgh