Private Greyfriars Kirkyard history tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore one of Edinburgh's most popular historic landmarks—but discover a side of it that few other visitors get to encounter—on this intimate, private tour of the Greyfriars Kirkyard. Burials have taken place here since the 16th century, and led by your guide, you'll discover the cemetery's most notable former residents, distinctive graves, and in-depth stories. By the tour's end, you'll have a brand new perspective on this historic highlight.
- This private tour offers a fully personalized sightseeing experience
- Follow your guide to parts of the cemetery that most visitors miss
- Discover insider stories you'd miss if exploring alone
- This tour is perfect for visiting history lovers
What's Included
- Local guide
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery EdinburghGreyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK
Just inside the main entrance, next to the grave of Greyfriars Bobby (the pink headstone which you see as soon as you enter the Kirkyard).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Greyfriars Kirk (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Due to uneven surfaces. we will try to make alterations for wheelchair users.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 69 reviews
Daniel_Z, May 2026
Omg I can’t remember this wonderful guides name but he was great. He was a schoolteacher of 10 year olds born and raised right here in Edinburgh Scotland!! He was great and boy did he know his history!! But it wasn’t dry, he had a great humerus personality and shared his enjoyment of history in such a way that you enjoyed it too!! Great tour!
Response from Host, May 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you - you even let me tell my golf joke! You were both so kind to me, and so engaged with the stories I told. I'm glad we also got you to your next tour in time.
I hope your return journey went well.
Best wishes,
Robert
Heather_R, Aug 2025
This was an excellent intro to the dark side of Scottish history. Robert is friendly, funny and unbelievably knowledgeable. Because this is a private tour, he asked what our interest areas were and gauged our senses of humor for his stories.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for booking my Greyfriars Kirkyard tour and for being such an engaging couple to take around the burial ground. I really appreciated your desire to find out about the history...and to let me share some of the stories I don't normally get to share!
I hope you both had a wonderful time in Scotland and that the gig was everything you hoped for.
Best wishes,
Robert
Alison_S, Jun 2025
We had a private family tour with Robert and he was an excellent guide! We learned a lot and had fun.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
I'm so flattered by this review, especially considering the weather we had for the tour! A HUGE thanks to you all for being such an engaged (and accepting) group. Thank you also for being so good and allowing me to take you to see some relevant things in the Museum. I do hope you managed to get the chance to visit Old College.
Many thanks.
Yours,
Robert
Troy_D, Apr 2025
Robert was absolutely fantastic. Loved this tour. His knowledge and stories where fun and entertaining.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your very kind review! Tours like these are all about the engagement of the guests and you made my job so very pleasurable. Thank you for entrusting me with part of your vacation time in Edinburgh. I hope you have a wonderful time in Scotland.
Best wishes,
Robert
Gayle_T, Jun 2024
Robert was great! Kind, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. He was able to tailor the presentation to our interests and checked in regularly to make sure he was giving us information in a helpful way. We loved it!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
I'm so sorry I missed this review and am replying a long time after you wrote it, I do apologise. Many thanks for your kind words and thank you for letting me take you around Greyfriars Kirkyard!
Best wishes,
Robert
NathanK_D, Nov 2023
This tour was amazing! Robert is an amazing guide and the tour was one of the highlights of our entire trip. He met us and we talked about what we wanted to learn about during the tour, he listened and then walked us through a fun and informative tour of the kirkyard. He finished up by showing us an amazing picture spot at the nearby museum. Great experience and I can't recommend it enough!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for leaving me this review, especially because I know you've written it whilst still on your vacation! I really appreciate that. You were both so engaged, so engaging and so much fun to be with.
I hope you are having a wonderful time in the UK.
Best wishes,
Robert
JuanPablo_G, Oct 2023
Robert gave an excellent tour with great detail. He was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with and I would highly recommend taking this tour if you are interested in the history of Edinburgh.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you for this very kind review. Apologies, I actually thought I'd replied to this already! I had a lovely time with you both and I do hope you had an enjoyable time in Scotland.
Best wishes,
Robert
Susan_M, Oct 2022
I had a wonderful tour with Robert Howie. He was so knowledgeable and brought the history to life. I would recommend the tour to all!
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Dear Susan, thank you for your really wonderful review. These mean the world to me! I had a really nice time with you and I hope you had a great experience in Edinburgh. Yours, Robert.
Linda_W, Sep 2021
Enjoyed learning about so many colourful characters buried within the Kirkyard. The guide was knowledgeable, entertaining & very friendly. Would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2021
Thank you so much for your custom, review and for your very kind words. It was an absolute delight to take you both around such an amazing place. I really loved how you responded to all my stories. Safe travels and big hugs to Monty.
Yours,
Robert
Hayley_M, Sep 2021
Our host was amazing! So informative and friendly!
This has been the highlight of our visit so far - thank you so much!
Response from Host, Sep 2021
I'm so happy to read this! It was a real pleasure to take you both around Greyfriars Kirkyard. Thank you for being such an engaging couple. You clearly really do love your history and it was a privilege to share my stories with you. I hope you're still having a great time up here. Good luck with the Arthur’s Seat walk and please do try the Oink pulled pork and haggis spread rolls! We are on social media if you'd like to find out even more about Edinburgh.
LISA_H, Jul 2021
The enthusiasm and knowledge of the tour guide was brilliant and made us feel very comfortable in his presence.
Response from Host, Jul 2021
Thank you for your review! Apologies for the delay in replying, it came through Viator and I can only access this using my wife's account for the business.
I had a real blast taking you around Greyfriars Kirkyard. You were all so engaged and enthusiastic, thank you so much. I hope you had a great time in Edinburgh and that the Britannia gave you a nice sheltered afternoon too. It was a pleasure to meet you, I hope both daughters enjoyed/enjoy their time in Edinburgh.
Yours,
Robert
Andyzan67, Sep 2019
A very interesting tour with the fascinating history of the kirkyard presented by Robert with great passion for the subject but also great humour and consideration for me as I was his only tourist on this one, top stuff!
Response from Host, Sep 2019
Thank you for your very kind review of our Greyfriars Kirkyard tour. Thank you also for your very kind tip. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you (and sharing our phobia stories!) I hope you enjoyed your next tour and your weekend in Edinburgh.
Yours,
Robert
Kimberly B, Dec 2017
Robert ,our guide, is personable, knowledgable and entertaining as well as a genuine history nerd, which was ideal for our party. Instead of the cumbersome books most tours tote around he uses a small projector that travels with you as he leads you through the kirkyard telling tales. Wear comfortable shoes as you do a lot of walking in an old graveyard- meaning it's uneven and can be muddy depending on the weather. Also be aware that this isn't the tour where actors pop up from behind tombstones- which was perfect for our party, that isn't my idea of a good time. I enjoyed the tour so much we booked one of the other tours the company offered.
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