Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Get more out of your time in Edinburgh with a private walking tour with a local guide. Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town, gaze at Edinburgh Castle on its rocky perch, and ascend to the summit of Calton Hill for panoramic city views. The itinerary can be tailored to your interests. Receive personalized attention while gaining unique insights into the Scottish capital.
- Opt to visit iconic landmarks or to find lesser-known spots
- Learn more about Edinburgh than you would wandering around alone
- A hotel pickup and drop-off can be provided on request
- Enjoy an intimate private tour with the option of customization
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off if requested
- Private tour
- Cost of food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Edinburgh Guided Tour
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Edinburgh Castle
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Edinburgh Old Town
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Royal Mile
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
St Giles' Cathedral
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
New Town
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
8
National Galleries Scotland: National
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair possible but there are hills and steps
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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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 269 reviews
FahdAftab_R, Jul 2025
Stuart is great - he has loads to worldly and local tour/Scotland experience. highly recommended. Enjoy the pace and sights
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear FahdAft
Thank you so much for your great Review with our great guide Steuart Watkins and we are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with him so much.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Jessica_B, Jun 2025
We had Douglas for our tour and he was amazing! We did an in depth tour of Edinburgh castle and then stopped at a few other places around the city. Douglas was incredible with his stories and knowledge of Scottish history, his story telling ability made everything so interesting. Best way to get introduced to Edinburgh!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Jessica
A million thanks for your marvellous Review of your Tour with our equally marvellous Guide, Douglas Graham! Plenty to see and enjoy in Edinburgh Castle; always been the No1 castle in Scotland! It was also the birth place of the first British King. Do please visit us again some day?!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Nicole_L, Dec 2024
A fantastic experience with Dr Allison as our guide. Her historical knowledge was incredible and made the tour. She let us go at our own pace, was engaging with every story and anecdote, and the 3.5 hours flew by. She personalised the tour and very much tailored her commentary and what we saw to our interests. Every member of the family including two teens said it was the highlight of our time in Edinburgh. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Dear Nicole-L
Thanks a million for your superduper Review of your Tour with our Dr Alison Duncan........ she is the Queen of Guides in Scotland! All of us at Edinburgh Guided Tour are delighted with your Review. For your two teenagers to say that the Tour was the highlight of their time in Edinburgh must be the ultimate accolade. You really must visit our fair city again some day!?
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Amy_P, Oct 2024
David was a terrific guide - exceptionally knowledgeable and engaging! We did a 3.5 hour walking tour focused on the castle
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Amy-P
Great Tour for a Great Client (Amy) by a Great Guide (David Forsyth)! I bet you really enjoyed your Tour with our David Forsyth. How about another visit some day?!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Jeffrey_G, Sep 2024
David was extremely friendly, polite, and most importantly, very knowledgeable about everything. Edinburgh. He answered all of our questions, which were many, very well. Kudos
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Jeffrey
Thank you very much indeed for your super Review of your Tour with Edinburgh Guided Tour. Delighted that you enjoyed the excellent company of our friendly, polite and knowledgeable guide, David Forsyth!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Andrew_D, Sep 2024
Mr. Usher was a highly knowledgeable guide who brought an interesting personal history and perspective to our tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Andrew
Many thanks for your great Review of your Tour with me ...... veryn much appreciated! Delighted that you enjoyed it so much.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Tammy_C, Sep 2024
Our tour guide was Allison. She was so knowledgeable and very interesting to listen to. She took us to areas that we would have never know about. Glad we took the tour and would highly recommend if you want to know more about Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Tammy
Many thanks indeed for your stellar Review! Our guide Alison knows so much of the history of our ancient city and she is very good at sharing her extensive knowledge with the tourists she takes on tour. Also many thanks for your high recommendation.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Joanne_E, Aug 2024
We had a wonderful experience. Alastair, was very engaging and extremely knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour if you wanted to get a great historical overview of Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Joanne
Great thanks to you from all at EGT for your stellar Review of your Tour with our wonderful Tour Guide, Alastair Sym. Also many thanks for recommending us so highly!
Best wishes
Stuart U
Lesley_D, Aug 2024
Our tour guide David was brilliant. He customized our tour to fit our personal interests. Since our family is very interested in history, David applied his deep historical knowledge of Scotland to tell us insightful stories, explain the context of events and places, and expand on the biolgraphies of fascinating characters from the past. He did not shy away from any question, no matter how difficult or random. I cannot recommend this tour enough.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Lesley-D
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and most complimentary Review of your Tour with us! We are delighted that our guide, David Forsyth, was able to meet your full expectations. I am sure that he enjoyed your informed companies as much as you did his! And many, many thanks for your warm recommendation of EGT.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Michelle_C, Aug 2024
This was one of the best tours I have been on. Our tour guide, Alastair Sim, was phenomenal. He adapted to all of our needs--short time, a member of our party in a wheel chair, and our desires of what to see. When he learned we'd already taken a tour of the Castle, he asked what we wanted to see. We didn't know, so he prompted with questions like: Do you like Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. We responded that we liked Harry Potter.
Alastair then completely changed what he had originally planned and took us on a good walking tour that included many wonderful sites in Edinburgh along with a few specific to Harry Potter, but not limited just to HP. He was kind and patient as we pushed a wheel chair up steep hills and over cobblestone roads. His knowledge of Scotland was phenomenal. If you can get Alastair on a tour, you will be in for a treat!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Michell
Thanks a million for your superb indepth Review with our (in your words!) phenomenal guide Alastair Sym! Deligted that he was able to make the required changes to the Tour at such short notice. Wheel Chairs and the Old Town of Edinburgh do not get on too well, but with patience and perseverance all ends well! We would love to host you again some sweet day!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Ali_K, Jul 2024
Great Tour
Alison is knowledgable and so humble, she made the tour so efficient and enjoyable.
I highly recommend this tour as Edinburgh deserves a full day to understand the history, architecture and the urban plan of the city.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Ali_K
High praise indeed for our Dr. Alison Duncan!
I'm very glad you found the Tour with her both efficient and enjoyable. A Full Day of Touring is enough to give one a fully grounded understanding of the city and its rich and varied history... which it seems is exactly what Alison imparted to you ;-)
Perhaps you will visit Edinburgh again someday in the future and she can show you more of the New Town and its own rich and varied history?
Best wishes,
Stuart U.
Richard_K, Jul 2024
Viator unfortunately has very poor customer service. The walking tour was not as described / booked.
Viator apparently contracts through third party tour guides. When a problem comes up the third party tour guides cannot or will not help and Viator blames the third party.
I would recommend you find a tour guide directly and book with them. Watch out for scam/sham websites that claim it is a direct booking site but ultimately goes through Viator.
Never have had a problem with tour guides directly booked.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Richard
I am sorry you have experienced very poor customer service from Viator. In this instance, perhaps your specific complaint would be better addressed to them?
Can you write to us please and let us know what tour you took and when? You can get in touch through our Edinburgh Guided Tour website and if we're able to help you, we surely will.
Best wishes,
Stuart U.
LAVON_R, Jul 2024
Our tour was with Craig Davidson and he was amazing - he gave us a Royal Mile tour while somehow avoiding the crowds and herding our group of cats! He also gave us very thoughtful dining recs! Thankful for the awesome taste of Edinburgh
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear LAVON
Many thanks for your wonderful Review of your Tour with our Craig Goodman! Large crowds of Tourists are a bit of problem in Edinburgh during the months of June, July, August and September. However Craig seemed to manage to overcome this ...... to a degree at least! We hope that you enjoyed the rest of your time in our fair city to the full.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Brian_S, Jul 2024
Most memorable part was David. He was fun, knowledgeable and passionate about the city. The tour was about the right length both in distance and time. The details about the castle were particularly fascinating. Thanks Dave.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Brian-S
Thank you so much for your superlative Review of your Tour with our equally superlative guide, David Forsyth! David's speciality is to make the Tours he takes both Informative and Fun and this is much appreciated by all those who go on the Tours with him, like your good self!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Erik_y, Jun 2024
David was a wonderful guide and made the experience enjoyable for my family. We only had 2 days in Edinburgh so we needed to learn as much as possible. He was very personable and catered the tour to our interests. We loved it! He even recommended a place for lunch and delivered us as an end to the tour. Thank you David!!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Erik-y
Many thanks for your wonderful Review of your Tour with Tour with our David Forsyth! Delighted that you all enjoyed it so much. Plenty to learn about and enjoy in our ancient city! I trust that you had a good lunch at the pub David delivered you to at the end of the Tour.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
maria_p, Jun 2024
Dr. Alison was a fantastic guide. Great story teller.! We really enjoyed our walking tour!! I highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Maria-P
Thank you so much for your great Review of your Tour with our Dr Alison Duncan! Also thank you for your recommending us so nicely.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Olga_M, Jun 2024
Dr Alison Duncan was our Edinburgh walking tour guide. She was really great! She not only gave us a lot of history during our tour, but she also made sure to make sure everyone was comfortable. She found places for us to sit and take breaks as we needed. She is an amazing person who is committed to understanding history and she shared that with us. Very good tour, thank you.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Olga-M
We are delighted with your glowing Review of your Tour with our Dr Alison Duncan! Thank you. Dr Duncan always make sure that the Clients she takes on Tour are comfortable and have the breaks they need from time to time. We are delighted that you enjoyed the Tour so much with her.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Beatriz_N, Jun 2024
Thank you Stuart for a wonderful experience! Your knowledge of history made our tour very enjoyable! I highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Beatriz
Thank you very much indeed for your stellar Review of your Tour with me last Wednesday! I really, really did enjoy all you companies and your evident keen interest to find out more of the history of our ancient city. We would love to welcome you again!
Best wishes
Stuart.
mark_o, Jun 2024
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the historical aspects of Scotland and its architectural components. Was primarily concentrated around Royal Mile so we did not see as many featured locations as we would have liked.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Mark
Many thanks for your wonderful Review and we are delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with us so much..
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Kathy_F, Jun 2024
Craig was knowledgeable, not pedagogical. We would highly recommend a tour with him in Edinburgh. Terrific tour, even in the rain!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Kathy
Many thanks for your great Review of your Tour with Craig and also for recommending us. Unfortunately we have had too many rainy and cold days recently!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Guido_P, Jun 2024
Dr Duncan gave an amazing tour! We had the best time in Edinburgh with her. She catered to our interests perfectly.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Guido-P
Many thanks for your great Review of your Full Day Private Guided Tour of Edinburgh with our Dr Alison Duncan. Alison giving you your 'best time in Edinburgh' is very high praise and we thank you again for that!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Paul_b, May 2024
We recently enjoyed a private walking tour in Edinburgh, and it was an exceptional experience!
Our tour guide was incredibly friendly and informative, making the exploration of this historic city both engaging and educational. . We visited iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and St. Giles' Cathedral, and the guide’s captivating stories about figures like Mary, Queen of Scots and Sir Walter Scott brought the city’s past to life. What made the tour truly special was the personalized attention. Our guide was attentive to our interests, allowing us to explore areas at our own pace and delve deeper into topics that intrigued us. This flexibility, combined with the guide's enthusiasm and local insights, made the tour feel tailored just for us. Additionally, we ventured into some lesser-known spots, uncovering hidden gems that we would have missed on our own. The guide’s recommendations for dining and further sightseeing were also invaluable, enriching our overall stay in Edinburgh. In summary, we had a fantastic time on our private walking tour. The combination of a friendly, knowledgeable guide and the tailored. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Edinburgh in depth.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Paul
Many, many thanks for your truly stellar Review of your Full Day Private Guided Tour with our Craig Godman. He is a stellar guide and we are delighted that you found him so knowledgeable and friendly. Edinburgh is so laden with History that makes it impossible to cover it all in a day. I am sure that Craig would have also very much enjoyed all your companies as much as you all did his company. You really must visit us again someday....... we would love to meet up again!?
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Jim_L, May 2024
Fun, funny and knowledgeable guide made for a very informative, interesting and fun tour of historic Edinburgh.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Jim
Many thanks for your great Review of your Tour with me! I very much enjoyed hosting all your excellent companies and hope to see you all again in Edinburgh some sweet day!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Maryann_H, May 2024
We had a wonderful afternoon with Allison. She was passionate about the history of Edinburgh; knowledgeable with facts and details of the town and very in tune with our interests. She had many helpful recommendations on where to go and how to see different sites. It was a very easy, comfortable tour with Allison as our guide…thank you Allison!
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Maryan
Thank you so much for your most glowing Review of your Tour with our guide Dr Alison Duncan! Delighted that you enjoyed it so much. Edinburgh draws more tourists by miles in the UK relative to its size, with the one exception of London! And who better than Alison to have as your Guide. Please do come again someday?!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Thomas_W, May 2024
Our guide David was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant. He let us set the pace and gave a wonderful description of the sites that we saw. It was a great way to start our vacation in Edinburgh.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Thomas
Many thanks indeed for your lovely Review of your Tour with our David Forsyth. If ever there was a guide blessed with being able to effortlessly make everyone feel welcome and each person included, it is David.
I'm glad he got your holiday off to a good start.
Feel free to visit us - and Edinburgh - again some day!
Best wishes
Connie_E, May 2024
David Forsyth gave our tour and he did an amazing job! He was very knowledgeable, interesting and even humorous! He definitely went over and beyond for our family! We would highly recommend him!!
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Connie
Many thanks for your stellar Review of your Tour with our David Forsyth. David is a wonderful all round Guide! We also thank you very much for recommending us so highly.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Susanne_V, Apr 2024
My husband and I had a wonderful 2- half days of touring with Alison. We loved the background history, tales and hidden gems she bestowed upon us. She kept us entertained and awake on our day of arrival from the states. After the second tour we felt we had a good grasp of the lay of the city. She was lovely, considerate, professional and we loved Scottish baroque that was easy to understand but added to her stories!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Susann
Thank you so much for your lovely fulsome Review of your two Tours with our Dr Alison Duncan! She is indeed a very good Guide who makes the Tours so enjoyable for our Clients. She also really enjoys the company of people like you goodselves.
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Rob_B, Apr 2024
Our guide, Craig, was the best. Highly highly recommended. Personable, flexible, thoughtful, incredibly well-informed, and a genuine/deep history buff . . . . . exactly what we needed. And Craig adjusted all along out collective 7-hour journey. He was the best possible outcome!!
Rob, Judy, and Maia
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Rob
Many, many thanks for your most fulsome Review! Your guide Craig is a great all rounder in the guiding business and this is what makes people really enjoy him leading them on a Tour of adventure in discovering the history of our ancient city of Edinburgh! Visit again someday?
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Emily_B, Apr 2024
This tour was one of my family's favorite memories of our time in Scotland. David made the history of Edinburgh enjoyable for every member of our party, from my 12yr old son to 65 yr old mother. The weather was cold and wet and my kids stayed with it the whole time without complaint. Would do a full day again if we ever back in town. Many thanks!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Emily-B
Thank you very much indeed for your most stellar Review and we are delighted that you enjoyed it so much! And well done to your guide David for keeping your kids 'with it' for the whole Tour. David is one of the best guides in the country and your wonderful Review confirms that! Please do come again ........ we would love to host you again!
Best wishes
Stuart U.
Chris_P, Jan 2024
Stewart Usher was super informative and set good pace around old Edinburgh. He is passionate about Edinburgh and Scottish history.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Dear Chris
Many thanks for your great Review! I am delighted that you enjoyed your Tour with us so much.
Bw
Stuart U.
From $424.91
per group (up to 12)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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