Top Scotland Historical Tours

See Scottish history come to life in a guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle. Hear gripping tales of battles won and lost and learn about the people who have called the castle home over the centuries. Enjoy sprawling views of Edinburgh and the countryside. Whether you’re a casual observer or a history buff, this experience will immerse you in the city’s cultural heritage.

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.

Ticking off attractions in mountainous Scotland can be difficult on a self-led tour. Discover Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and the Scottish Highlands on a 3-day tour from Glasgow, with convenient round-trip transfer by air-conditioned coach. Customize your journey to suit you with the option to book with or without accommodation, and gain insight into the historic region from your guide’s commentary.

Framed by old stone buildings, local small businesses, and cobblestone roads, Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile is one of the city's most atmospheric spots. Rather than wandering around alone, walk the storied street up to Edinburgh Castle while learning about Edinburgh rich history on a walking tour before heading inside the castle with your included ticket.

Discover the dramatic beauty, history and mystery of Scotland on this full-day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, wind through the Scottish Highlands and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness—fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Travel from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh. Cross the Forth Road Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife and pass by the coastal villages of East Neuk. Then pay homage to the town of St. Andrews, home to Scotland's oldest university and the Old Course, where golf is routinely played. Driving in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, see Falkland and the Lomond Hills. Enjoy a small-group tour for a memorable and personalized experience.

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.

Discover the beauty of the Scottish Highlands on this coach tour setting off from Edinburgh. Enjoy stunning scenic views from the window of the comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. See Glencoe, Callander, Pitlochry, Loch Ness, the Commando Monument, and more, with lots of opportunities to take photos and soak up your gorgeous surroundings.

This walking tour of Edinburgh is a great choice for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city and learn more about its history. By exploring the city with a guide, you’ll be able to stop looking at a map and focus on enjoying the sites around you. Your guide will teach you about secret places locals love, as well as the Old Town’s most famous sites. Highlights include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh Castle, and much more.

Discover more about Scottish history on this guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle. Walk up the Royal Mile with your guide while learning about the castle's 3,000-year history and its role in Scottish heritage. Explore the castle grounds with detailed insights into key features like the one o'clock gun and Argyle Battery, gaining a deeper understanding than a casual visitor.

Witness dramatic landscapes and majestic castles on a full-day trip through Scotland’s West Highlands from Edinburgh. With a knowledgeable guide, soak up stunning scenery from the rugged Breadalbane Mountains to The Trossachs National Park. Visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scottish heroes and rebels. Movie buffs will love the visit to Doune Castle, film site of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Swap the usual sightseeing tours for the chance to discover the palaces and castles of the "Outlander" TV series on this tour from Edinburgh. Visit some of the sites that starred in the fictional Jacobite saga, including Linlithgow Palace, the setting of Wentworth Prison; and Culross, the setting of Claire’s herb garden. Throughout the tour enjoy guide commentary with fun behind-the-scenes stories about the show.

Step into Scotland's most iconic fortress with a true Scotsman dressed in a traditional kilt. With so many tour options at Edinburgh Castle, it's difficult to know which offer the most authentic insight. This experience delivers genuine Scottish storytelling from a local who shares centuries of royal drama, bloody battles, and castle secrets while exploring the Crown Jewels, St. Margaret's Chapel, and more.

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.

Immerse yourself in the sights and stories of Edinburgh's atmospheric Old Town on this small-group walking tour. Unlike most tours of the Old Town, the maximum group size is just 15 people so you won't be elbow to elbow with other visitors as you explore the area, from the Royal Mile to Greyfriars Kirkyard, and Princes Street Gardens.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

Set off from Edinburgh and enjoy an unforgettable day touring the Scottish Highlands in a comfortable vehicle. See Linlithgow Palace, Stirling Castle, the historic town of Pitlochry, and more while your guide points out film locations for the James Bond and Harry Potter movies on this scenic route. Explore the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views over Loch Shiel; the Jacobite Steam Train may be seen crossing if running on the day.

As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh packs in plenty of historical monuments and cultural destinations—and this hop-on hop-off bus tour provides a thorough introduction to the city’s top sights. Choose a 24- or 48-hour ticket and explore Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks at your own pace, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and more. With panoramic open-top views, convenient stops across the city, and the freedom to create your own itinerary, it's an easy way to experience Scotland's capital.

Maximize time in Glasgow with a city center walking tour with a local guide. Each tour is unique depending on the guide, but potential stops include George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow Green. As well as well-known sights, the itinerary also includes off-the-beaten-path attractions and hidden treasures that you’d likely miss if exploring alone.

Experience some of the best of what Edinburgh, Scotland has to offer in one small group walking tour. Let your tour leader show you around Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish National Gallery, and from April 2026, one historic house such as Gladstone's Land or The Georgian House. See Princes Street Gardens, Heart of Midlothian, Greyfriars Bobby, and more while you learn all about the city’s history, culture, and heritage from your guide.

Visit Eilean Donan Castle and the spectacular Isle of Skye on a full-day trip from Inverness, and explore an iconic Scottish landscape of wind-swept valleys, rock formations, and coastal cliffs. Travel in a Mercedes mini-coach, following a route through the mountains of Wester Ross on your way to Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye, then visit the island’s highlights with an experienced guide. This full-day tour departs from central Inverness, and it’s the perfect introduction for first-time visitors to the Isle of Skye.

Uncover Glasgow's darkest secrets on this eerie walking tour led by your guide. Whilst many sightseeing tours cover only what is found in the guidebooks, this macabre adventure digs deep into the city’s gruesome history with tales of grave robbers and witch trials. Explore haunted locations from Strathclyde University to the Necropolis cemetery before ending at a legendary pub with a spooky past.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlights, without the stress of driving country roads. This small-group tour from Edinburgh 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.