Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour is led by Edinburgh Guided Tour — a small team of exceptional Guides, including PHD Historians, a Professor, and a Museum Manager. Each guide handpicked for their intelligence and warmth. Their passion for Edinburgh shines through in every story they tell, from royal scandal to Enlightenment genius, from Harry Potter to historical rogues.
We keep our group size small — never more than 12 guests — so every participant enjoys a personal experience. No straining to hear in a crowd of 30!
Our guests consistently give us amazing reviews. These are not your average guides. They will Make History Come Alive.
• Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Mile and surrounds
• See the secret closes and wynds and all of the major sites
• Learn of the famous writers, poets, and economists who have made Edinburgh their home
• Visit famous landmarks such as St Giles Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars’ Kirkyard
• Take the opportunity to capture some amazing photographic opportunities
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
Children under 12 are free
Children 12-16 pay 75%
What To Expect
Usher Hall
View this Baroque "Beaux Arts" masterpiece in the Heart of Edinburgh, the Usher Hall. Donated to the people and the City of Edinburgh by Stuart Usher's great great uncle, Andrew Usher.
Edinburgh Castle
Behold and view (from the outside) the towering, majestic pile of Edinburgh Castle from various vantage points. Learn all about its history (good, bad and downright ugly), the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Stuart dynasty, the Union of the Crowns and much more!
Options
Daytime tours
Morning Departure: A guided walk of up to 3 hours (subject to your requirements) around the centre of Edinburgh with one of our guides.
Evening Tours
Duration: 2 hours Evening Departure summer only: A guided walk of up to 2 hours (subject to your requirements) around the centre of Edinburgh with Stuart or Richard Usher. Start time 6pm
What‘s Included
Small group (maximum 12 participants)
Professional guide
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,623 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome walking tour of Edinburgh
Richard A,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was our first trip to Edinburgh and we thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town and Royal Mile. Our tour guide Fiona was a wealth of knowledge and was very personable and friendly. The pace of the tour was just right. Highly recommended.
We’re walking, we’re walking American….
Adina L,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Make sure you wear your walking shoes and bring water because while it was a very informative trip, it was exhausting going up all those hills!
Personalized small group tour was great.
Dana L,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Alastair was a great tour guide. The information he provided was interesting and he took our interests into account. Lively stories of Edinburgh history. Small group experience was nice… 12 people instead of the other tours with masses of people wearing headphones.
Magnificent Memories Highlighted by History
timothybR2382OZ,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was one of the best things my daughter and I did on our 10 day trip to Scotland. Our guide (David Forsyth) was wonderful, used our names, and was extremely knowledgeable. You do not get this on those large scripted tours. I highly recommend Edinburgh Guided Tour to anyone visiting Edinburgh.
Entertaining, interesting, information packed-must do
416galitr,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Got very lucky- we were the only ones on this tour! Fiona was AMAZING. She was personable, entertaining, made our tour feel special and unique. She clearly had such a passion for the history of Edinburgh, and so much to share. She spent some time getting to know us and what were interested in learning, and personalized the tour towards this (general history with some medical history and Harry Potter sites thrown in!) She knew many "more private" ally's and gardens and the history of all of these. We both called this a highlight of our vacation. Would recommend to anyone.
Entertaining, interesting, information packed-must do
Galit R,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Got very lucky- we were the only ones on this tour! Fiona was AMAZING. She was personable, entertaining, made our tour feel special and unique. She clearly had such a passion for the history of Edinburgh, and so much to share. She spent some time getting to know us and what were interested in learning, and personalized the tour towards this (general history with some medical history and Harry Potter sites thrown in!) She knew many "more private" ally's and gardens and the history of all of these. We both called this a highlight of our vacation. Would recommend to anyone.
Great Tour with Stuart Usher
Nomad319204,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stuart Usher was a terrific guide! He was knowledgeable, interactive and very accommodating. I have mobility problems and Stuart made sure I could rest on a bench periodically. Our group was small (5 people) so you could hear and talk easily . It gave us a good orientation of Old Town.
Americans in Edinburgh
Kate E,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Steuart was a wonderful guide. Knowledgeable story teller that kept us engaged. Also loved that he took us off the beaten path and showed us areas that most may miss.
Recommend for 1st time visitors!
Padraic B,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great introduction to old town Edinburgh, castle history, town cemetery and top half of the royal mile. Tour didn’t cover lower half and only briefly mentioned the Holyrood palace (no mention at all about the Scottish Parliament). Guide was extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. His ability to speak in English and Scotts was very educational.
Meandering through Edinburgh
DonaldD M,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00I thought this was a tour of the Royal Mile. We spent the first hour and a half moving slowly behind Edinburgh Castle. Much of the narration was slow moving and not engaging.
Related Experiences
Operated by Edinburgh Guided Tour