Old Town Historical and Underground Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Led by either the holder of a PhD in Scottish history or a guide with decades of experience providing historic tours in Scotland’s capital, this 90-minute tour is a fascinating journey through Edinburgh’s celebrated Old Town. Revel in the majesty of the famous Royal Mile with its stunning architecture, but also visit the secluded closes and courts lying just off the High Street and discover their dramatic stories. Find out about the world famous poets, novelists, philosophers and inventors who called this neighbourhood home but also the notorious thieves, murderers and bodysnatchers who stalked the streets after dark. The tour includes a trip through Canongate Kirkyard and a visit to our underground vaults below South Bridge, where you will find out how it came to be and who used to live there.
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
For those who want to learn more about Edinburgh’s past this tour is a must do!
Access to our exclusive section of underground.
Learn about the extraordinary events which shaped this great city.
90 Minute tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and South Bridge vaults.
Relaxed nature of the tour allows for plenty of questions and further discussion.
Tour led by a well trained, highly knowledgeable and personable guide.
N/A
What To Expect
City of Edinburgh Tours
Tron Kirk Niddry wynd Vaults Canongate Kirkyard
Options
Old Town Historical and Underground Tour
Reviews
1,491 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended city tour of Edinburgh underground and history.
stevephil738,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First class presentation from Mowen. Absolutely loved the tour and learned so much from her. She was very engaging throughout and highly knowledgeable.
Interesting tour about the city of Edinburgh
824joeyw,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I enjoyed this informative tour this morning. Our tour guide Morven did a great job telling us about the interesting history of Edinburgh. She is a talented story teller. We went to multiple locations, both inside and outside. Morven engaged well with the public and also added a bit of humor once in a while. Definately recommend the tour. Thank you Morven!
Best tour ever
Tea12334,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Morven and she was absolutely amazing. Genuinely the best tour guide we’ve ever used. She covered everything so quickly but full of details. It was a 90 minute tour but completely and utterly engaging.
Fun &informative old town tour
juliecA8779QI,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Holly, she was very knowledgeable and friend, great tour guide. The tour was 1.5 hours long and we thoroughly enjoyed it
Instructive and...
Laurel W,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Instructive and entertaining journey through Edinburgh's early history. James, our tour guide was superb!
Smashed it
N9345CNaliciaf,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did a History and underground vaults tour yesterday afternoon (Friday) from booking the tour at the kiosk and the tour we had a brilliant experience. James Douglas who run our tour was brilliant funny and informative. At the end of the tour he admitted it was only his second time doing this tour as he normally did the Ghost tour. Well all I can say he smashed it.
Great way to learn more about the history of Edinburgh!
Nannette d,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the tour with our super passionate tour guide James! Such a nice way to learn more about the historical part of the city!
Not what we expected!
456gryhegeb,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This was not as we expected. Not much to show from the underground. The guide was too late. She talked to fast and was not easy to understand.We, and some other, chose to leave before it ended.
History tour with Saturn!
suzannelR3812YO,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Saturn was brilliant full of knowledge and theatrical explanations of the history here in Edinburgh. Many thanks for a good tour and without the rubbish ghost stuff. Just history. It was exciting being underground too!
Highly informative and entertaining tour
Vacation42849040416,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour. James was an incredible guide: extremely knowledgeable and able to really bring the history of Edinburgh to life.
From £19.00
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Operated by City of Edinburgh Tours