Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Get a more intimate insight into Edinburgh by exploring on foot
- Photograph the city at your leisure en route
- Start and end at handy central meeting points in Edinburgh
- Ideal for first-time visitors to Ediburgh seeking an interesting overview
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Small group (maximum 12 participants)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- The Usher HallLothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EA, UK
Your guide will be waiting for you outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall (there are 3 entrances and he will be outside the middle one).
End point
- E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ, UK
The ending point is at the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens.
Itinerary
1
Usher Hall
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Edinburgh Castle
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Grassmarket
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Milne’s Court
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Jolly Judge
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Writers' Museum
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Riddle's Court
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
St Giles' Cathedral
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
10
Edinburgh City Chambers
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
11
Edinburgh Waverley Station
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
Scott Monument
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children under 12 are free
- Stroller accessible
- Children 12-16 pay 75%
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,616 reviews
Galit_R, May 2026
Got 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.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Galit
Many, many thanks for your fulsome and very glowing Review of your Tour with our great Guide, Fiona Parker! You certainly appear to have really enjoyed her great passion for the long history of our great city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh was the leading city in the world in the field of madical research for centuries and we are delighted that she included some of that history on your Tour. How about another Tour with her some sweet day?
Kate_E, May 2026
Steuart 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.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Kate
Thank you very much for your superb 5 Star Review of your Tour with our wonderful guide, Steuart Watkins.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Padraic_B, May 2026
Great 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.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Padraic
A million thanks of your stellar Review of your Tour with Edinburgh Guided Tour! We are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with us to the full. Broad Scotch is a dialect of English and has nothing to do with Gaelic which was the original language of Scotland. The Scots arrived in Scotland from Ireland in c 600 AD. Before that Scotland was inhabitated by a people called the Picts. Many thanks again.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
DonaldD_M, May 2026
I 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.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Donald,
We regret that you didn’t find our tour to your liking.
Our tour is called the “Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour” and it is divided evenly between the Royal Mile and other parts of Edinburgh’s Old Town, including Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and Victoria Street. The first hour and a half takes place in the surrounding Old Town and the final hour and a half is spent on the Royal Mile.
As you and your travelling companion left after two hours of the three-hour tour, you missed the majority of time we spend on of the Royal Mile itself and that is most regrettable because over 97% of travellers who book our tour recommend us to fellow travellers to experience and enjoy and this is something we’re incredibly proud of.
Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy your remaining time in our beautiful city.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
madeline_l, May 2026
Douglas was one of the best tour guides we have experienced ever. He explained the history of each site with an easy delivery. He was so incredibly knowledgeable. This is a must for anyone wanting a compact history lesson provided in a professional manner.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Madeline
Many thanks indeed for your stellar Review of your Tour with our equally stellar Guide, Douglas Graham! Your referrinng to him as the best Tour Guide that you have ever had is a very high compliment with which both he and our business are delighted!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Allison_W, May 2026
David Forsythe was our guide and incredibly knowledgeable. He welcomed all questions and was quite funny too. It was great to get a historical background of Edinburgh on our first day visiting!
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Allison
Many thanks for your great Review and we are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with our great Guide, David Forsyth! A tour with a Guide like David on your first day in Edinburgh prepares you well for the rest of your time in the city.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Tom_W, May 2026
3 hour walking tour. Our guide was David F who retired from the Museum of Scotland and specialized in Scottish history. Extremely knowledgeable, personable and engaging. Great way to start an Edinburgh visit to get some understanding of history, architecture and the evolution of Edinburgh over the centuries.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Tom.
Many, many thanks for your stellar Review of your Tour today with our equally stellar Guide, David Forsyth! In hearing about the evolution of our ancient city over the centuries you had a most outstanding Guide in our David. Please do visit again some welcoming day.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Timothy_H, Apr 2026
I had an amazing afternoon walking through history. Alison was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Highly recommend as an introduction to Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Timothy
Thank you very much indeed for your marvellous Review of your Tour with our Alison! We are delighted that you really enjoyed your time with her.
Best wishes
Stuart U
Sonal_S, Mar 2026
Craig was excellent. He gave a very thorough and insightful history of Edinburgh that both informative and engaging. My kids loved it! Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Sanal
Many thanks for your great 5 Star Review of your Tour with our very gifted and excellent Guide, Craig Goodman! Delighted that your kids aso enjoyed it so much.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
mredd1125, Mar 2026
Great way to see Edinburgh sights, hear stories and learn some history! Great pace of the tour, fun and interesting conversation with guide, doesn't feel rushed and takes care with every place visited.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Maura
Fulsome thanks unto thee for thine most marvellous Review of your Tour with our Master Guide, Steuart Watkins! We are delighted with all the superatives you accorded to our Tour. Please do visit us again some sweet day.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Mark_M, Mar 2026
We had a great tour with Fiona. She shared a lot of insight on the history of Scotland in a very fun and informative way, which was easy to follow and understand. We would highly recommend a tour with Fiona!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Mark
Thank you so much for your top-notch Review of your Tour with our superb Guide, Fiona! We are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with her so much. We also thank you again for your high recommendation.
Best wishes
Stuart Usher.
Meredith_S, Mar 2026
Excellent tour. The guide was knowledgeable, flexible, and adaptable to what the group was interested in and needed.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Meredith
Thank you so much for your great Review of our Tour with our Alastair Sim! We are delighted that you enjoyed the Tour so much.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Jigna_P, Dec 2025
We toured with Craig and it was a fantastic morning. He is a wealth of knowledge and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Jigna
Thank you for your great Review and we are delighted that your both enjoyed the Tour so much with our great Guide, Craig Goodman.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Alissa_C, Dec 2025
Fiona was fantastic! She gave a great tour and appropriate amounts of history without it being too overwhelming. She asked what our interests were at the start of the tour and tailored the conversation to that. The tour packs a lot in to 3 hours and the time flew because she was so engaging!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Alissa
Thank you very much indeed for your wonderful Review! Great that you enyoyed the Tour so much with our fantastic and engaging Fiona! When one is enjoying oneself the time does indeed fly past. We would love to see you again in Edinburgh when you next visit.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Feraena_B, Nov 2025
I really enjoyed our tour guided by Fiona. She shared a lot about Edinburgh in a really engaging way. She's also very conscious of our comfort - when the weather turned awful, she took us to the National Museum so we could still learn about the city while staying warm!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Feraen
Thanks a million for your dazzling Review of your Tour with our Fiona, very much appreciated! Edinburgh is renowned for its treacherous and often awful weather. Great that she took you to the museum where you could learn more about the history of Scotland in comfort! Many thanks again.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Maria_M, Nov 2025
The tour was the best three hours spent in Scotland. Our guide (and professional historian!), Dr Alison, told us lots of fascinating stories, and most importantly she made the tour feel like an acquaintance with Edinburgh. Also she adapted to us: asked us what we already know and what we are most interested about.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Maria
Thank you very much indeed for your most glowing Review of your Tour with our stellar Guide, Dr Alison Duncan! We are particularly delighted with your statement that you rated our Tour with Alison as the best three hours that you spent in Scotland. There is no praise higher than that. Thanks a million again!
Best wishes
Stuart U
Caroline_S, Nov 2025
An absolutely fascinating tour, learnt so much about Edinburgh's place in history and the people who shaped it. We were lucky enough to be guided by a son of Edinburgh, thank you.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Caroline
Thank you so much for your great Review of your Tour with me! I also enjoyed both your companies very much indeed and hope to meet you both again on your next visit to our fair city.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Laura_B, Oct 2025
Lots of fun. Fiona was a great tour guide. She had a fun sense of humor and obviously loves her job. She told us a lot of history and took us on a really good sightseeing tour of Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Laura
Thank you very much for your marvellous Review of your Tour with our knowledgeable and humorous Guide, Fiona!
Best wishes
Stuart U
Daniel_M, Oct 2025
This tour was one of the best of our cruise. I was able to see the home of one of my ancestor's home. (Jenny Geddes). What a thrill! Lots of great stories.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Daniel
Many, many thanks for your great 5 Star Review of your Tour with me! Your ancestor, Jenny Geddes, must have been of a fiery nature. Her actions in St Giles Cathedral on that fateful day in 1637 was the spark which ingnited the English Civil War! I am delighted that I showed you her house in Jackson's Close. Please visit again some day!?
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Gary_D, Oct 2025
Alistair's knowledge of Edinburgh and stories about the past history were phenomenal! This is a must do during your visit and provides a great background in the Old Town history.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Gary
Many, many thanks for you superb Review of your Tour with our phenominal Guide Alastair! Your note stating that our Tour is a 'Must Do' Tour for all Tourists visiting our ancient city is also very much welcomed.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Laura_B, Oct 2025
Allison did a great job of sharing her endless knowledge of the area. Her expertise and anecdotal stories really gave us a true picture of the life and times of Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Laura
Many thanks for your great Review of your Tour with our Alison! We are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with her so much.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Joanna_R, Oct 2025
Very informative
Guide was personable and approachable
Highly recommend as an overview on city’s history
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Joanna
Great thanks for your great Review of your Tour with me; very much appreciated! I really did enjoy your company on Wednesday morning's Tour and the companies of all the other tourists on the Tour as well.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Emogene_S, Oct 2025
This was absolutely AMAZING!!!! We had such an amazing time!!!! We got to ask as many questions as we wanted and focused on topics we were most interested in learning. This tour was better than I could’ve imagined. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Emogene
Thank you so much for your stellar 5 Star Review with our AMAZING Guide, Alastair Sim! Delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with Alastair so very much. Your high recommendation is also very much appreciated by us.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Filiz_I, Oct 2025
Our guide Stuart Usher was an astonishing guide with wide knowledge and enthusiasm. His great uncle Andrew Usher is an important guy in Edinburgh’s history and it was a privilege to have Stuart as a guide coming with strong roots to the city.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Filiz
Thank you very much indeed for your superb Review of your Tour with me, very much appreciated! The whole group that morning were such a pleasant and homogeneous bunch of people. I really did enjoy both your and everyone else's excellent company that day.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Jessica_B, Oct 2025
Thoroughly interesting and well-presented tour given by Mr. Usher himself. Witty, thoughtful, and a gifted story-teller, Mr. Usher walks the 3 hours around the uneven terrain that is Edinburgh without missing a beat.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Jessica
Thank you so much for your marvellous and thoughtful Review! We all had a good time yesterday. The whole group were very pleasant. They all took a keen interest in the history of the city which is most gratifying for me!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Diana_M, Oct 2025
Our guide, Stuart Usher, was extremely knowledgeable and related interesting facts and history. He also had a great sense of humor.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Diana
A million thanks for your stellar 5 Star Review of your Tour with me! The group you were in was a most congenial and engaging group and I thoroughly enjoyed all your companies.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Beth_R, Sept 2025
Fiona was a great tour guide. She told interesting stories and had a ton of knowledge above Edinburgh, its history, and lore. The tour is 3 hours with a great deal of walking so wear comfortable shoes. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Dear Beth
Thank you very much for your glowing Review of your Tour with our Fiona! We are delighted that you enjoyed the Tour so much. As you say, decent shoes are a prerequisit for the Old Town of Edinburgh. High Heel shoe wearers will be severely punished by the ancient cobbled streets of the Old Town!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
AlanSandy_C, Sept 2025
We lucked out and our small group had only 2 couples, so it was very personalized. Craig was a wonder guide with tons of information. He made the experience fun, and we saw so many fantastic things.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Dear Alan
Many thanks indeed for your wonderful Review with our wonder Guide Craig Goodman! We restrict our Group Tours to a maximum of 12 per Guide. This makes for a quality and personalised Tour, as you found. Please visit again some sweet day.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
blockbox78misc, Sept 2025
Had a super experience on this walking tour with David. A historian and former museum curator, he was bursting with background and stories for all the sites we visited. The 3 hours flew by (it was clear he had enough material for another 3). Engaging and humorous. Culture, architecture, history - got it all, as well as a deeper appreciation for Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear blockbo
Great thanks for your most glowing Review of your Tour with our Super Guide David Forsyth! Learning more of the history of Edinburgh from such an engaging, knowlegeable and humorous man like David is the cherry on the top, as you found. Thank you again.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Carole_S, Sept 2025
Dr Alison Duncan gave 4 of us a tour and we really enjoyed her commentary despite all of the rain. It was our first day arriving in Edinburgh and it was a great start to our vacation.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Dear Carole
Thank you so much for your lovely 5 Star Review of your Tour with Dr Alison Duncan! Glad that you did not let the rain spoil your Tour with her. She is a 5 Star Guide.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
From $47.95
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Royal Mile and Old Town Walking Tour
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Free Cancellation
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