Top Edinburgh Culture - page 2

A trip to the capital of Scotland isn't complete without a tour of Edinburgh Castle. Follow your guide through the grounds and hear tales of the castle's royal residents—including Mary Queen of Scots—and learn more about the rich history of the building. After your tour ends, there's plenty of free time explore the castle's interior and the rest of the grounds, which includes three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall, and a Royal Palace.

Edinburgh’s dark and desultory past means its streets are haunted by restless souls and wandering specters. This ghost tour—perfect for those fascinated by the supernatural—takes you to two of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations. Under the cloak of darkness, descend to the Blair Street vaults to explore a shadow-shrouded underground world. Visit Canongate Kirkyard, the final resting place of famous characters, and listen to gruesome tales of torture, cannibalism, and murder.

Explore the rugged beauty of the Scottish countryside with the help of a guide to show you local landmarks and some of the most scenic spots on this tour from Edinburgh. Sit back, relax, and let your guide plan the itinerary and handle all the driving while you watch the lush landscape roll by your car window. See Luss, the Kelpies, the Glen Ogle Viaduct, and lots more.

The Isle of Skye is the largest of Scotland’s Hebrides Islands and this multi-day tour from Edinburgh ensures you take in all the highlights. Admire natural wonders such as Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis; visit Lealt Falls, Dunvegan Castle, and Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye; and see Eilean Donan Castle, where "Highlander" was filmed.

Experience the history and beauty of Scotland’s Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on a full-day trip from Edinburgh. Traveling by coach, visit the Kelpies Monument and Stirling Castle, associated with Scottish historical heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Admire the Trossachs’ mountain-and-lake scenery as you meet Scotland’s famous Highland cows. Entrance fees at own expense.

This Edinburgh city sightseeing tour offers a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus experience with an open-top double-decker bus and audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop on and off at key stops including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. Buses run every 20 minutes with tickets valid for 24 hours from first use, providing flexible sightseeing at your own pace.

Explore Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile with a professional historian or other specialist guide, and gain insight into the famous writers and inventors who have called the city home. Hear tales of Scotland's national bard—Robert Burns—and discover top landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Get the chance to ask questions in a small-group setting and find out what makes this ancient city tick.

The Blair Street Vaults shouldn’t be missed when visiting Edinburgh—especially for fans of the spooky and macabre. But independent visits aren’t allowed, so you’ll need to a guide to gain access to this restricted underground area. On this ghoulish walking tour, descend into the darkened depths of the vaults and hear vivid retellings of torture, murder, and body snatching from your guide.

Explore Edinburgh’s spookiest closes and strangest places and learn about the Old Town’s history while hearing tales of accused witches and warlocks. This walking tour takes you to some of Edinburgh's lesser-known haunted locations, letting you avoid crowds and discover a darker, mysterious side of the city.

Embark on a quick and fun ride through Edinburgh's rich literary history. This literature-themed pub crawl through Edinburgh's Old and New Towns is led by a couple of actors who will bring such figures as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson to vivid life as you journey in and out of Edinburgh's most atmospheric pubs, courtyards, and hidden alleyways.

Get an in-depth perspective on Edinburgh on this guided tour that goes deeper than most. Usually led by a guide with a PhD in Scottish history, this tour offers a journey through Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town from the main thoroughfares to the hidden closes (alleyways) and courtyards. Your guide shares tales of dramatic events in the neighborhood's history, as well as those of the writers, philosophers, and inventors who called the area home.

Edinburgh Castle stands impressively at the top of the Royal Mile. Discover its history with a guided tour, where you'll marvel at the treasures within, including the Scottish Crown Jewels, while listening to a guide provide context about what you see. Learn about the One o'clock Gun, take in views over Edinburgh, and hear fascinating stories about the people who have shaped the Castle throughout history—from the death of a queen to deadly banquets. Plus, you'll have time to explore the castle's museums and exhibitions at your leisure after the tour ends.

Swap the crowds of the Royal Mile for a more intimate view of Edinburgh. This small-group tour takes you to some of the city's most atmospheric (and less-visited) neighborhoods, including the picturesque Dean Village. You'll discover hidden alleyways, quirky cafes, and historic buildings and take a wander along the city's only river.

If you only have one day to journey into the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, don't waste time or effort navigating public transport or renting a car. This guided tour takes you from the capital to the "bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond, the village of Luss and some of the country's finest castles and glens.

Save hours of research time with this comprehensive day tour of the Scottish Highlands, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. A full itinerary is planned out for you, and someone else takes care of the driving, so you can focus on the incredible views. During the tour, hear about the legend of Loch Ness, hike to see beautiful waterfalls in Tay Forest Park, and stop to admire views of the Glencoe mountains.

If you’re a history buff, no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a tour of Edinburgh Castle. Receive personalized attention on a private 3-hour tour, during which you’ll delve deep into the history of the Edinburgh icon and avoid long lines often in excess of two hours with a pre-booked entrance ticket. Plus, you’re guide collects you from your hotel to prevent you getting lost in Edinburgh’s winding streets.

Designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the world of whisky, this guided tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh is the ideal choice for travelers wanting to learn more about Scotland’s national drink. Learn about Scotland's whisky-producing regions and how the weather affects the flavor of your drink as well as the art of blending. View one of the world’s largest Scotch whisky collections and enjoy a guided tasting session.

Planning a multi-day journey through the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye can be challenging, especially when it involves long drives and accommodation logistics. However, this 3-day tour from Edinburgh takes care of everything for you—so you can focus on making the most of the sweeping Highland scenery. Along the way, gain insight into Scotland’s past at locations such as Culloden Battlefield, and choose to enhance your experience with an optional cruise on Loch Ness and entry to Urquhart Castle.

Explore the Scottish Highlands without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads on a 3-day tour from Edinburgh. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach with a local guide to the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Culloden, Glencoe, and more. Enjoy scenic views and stories of Scotland’s history, plus optional activities such as a Loch Ness cruise (prices updated). This tour offers an immersive experience into one of Scotland’s most scenic regions.

Discover Scotland's majestic Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh without the hassle of renting a car or navigating public transit. History buffs can see the sites of historic events such as the Jacobite Uprisings, while pop culture fans can check off Harry Potter filming locations, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe. Along the way, soak up views of mountains and lochs and round out your day by meeting Scotland's native Highland cows.

Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on a full-day tour of the West Highlands—with its lochs, mountains, and castles—from Edinburgh. Visit Doune Castle (all admissions own expense), admire fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy free time and a visit to the castle in Inveraray. Then, head onward to Kilchurn Castle—one of Scotland's prettiest castles.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlights on this small-group tour from Edinburgh that takes you to Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. Soak up the scenery as you journey through dramatic landscapes, make plenty of photo stops, and enjoy the freedom to explore Fort Augustus, set on the banks of Loch Ness, at your own pace.

Listen to Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted evening or night-time walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on Scotland’s capital. See where witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions took place, then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous individuals interred here.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide to get everyone into the spooky spirit of things.