Private Tour

Enlightenment in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

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.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it

The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Smartphones and headphones (please bring your own)

Entrance fees

What To Expect

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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.

Admission Not Applicable

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