Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Edinburgh, Scotland

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour of Edinburgh's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town lets you follow in the footsteps of important Scottish figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. In a private group, visit three of the Old Town’s former execution spots, admire the cobbled streets, see the site of the notorious Tolbooth Prison, and more. As it's a private tour, benefit from an intimate atmosphere you won't find in larger, shared groups.

Archive imagery of historic Edinburgh enhances your experience
Visit hidden gems that many travelers miss out on thanks to your guide's knowledge
There's no need to rush—go a pace that suits you and your group
Gain a local's perspective on Edinburgh as you chat to your guide

What's Included

Local guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh
Greyfriars 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). Greyfriars Kirkyard, Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QQ

End point

South Bridge, Edinburgh, UK
We usually end this tour on South Bridge, ten minutes from our starting point at Greyfriars.

Itinerary

Your historical tour begins at the gates of Greyfriars Kirkyard, an atmospheric graveyard in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.

As you walk to your first location, your guide transports you back in time using vivid descriptions and photographs of old Edinburgh.

Delve into the capital’s gory past on a visit to three former execution spots and the site of the notorious Tolbooth Prison, the scene of Scotland’s most infamous assassination. See, too, Edinburgh Castle from its hilltop perch, and listen to stories featuring some of Scotland’s most famous figures, including Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Robert Burns.

Following your exploration, bid your guide farewell outside the gates of Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Greyfriars

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grassmarket

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Royal Mile

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cowgate

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

University of Edinburgh

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 233 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Great walk around the...

Carolyn_E, Aug 2025

Great walk around the city. Our guide Robert started by asking about our visit and our interests and tailored our tour to match. He also accommodated our pace and told us great historical facts and stories.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Dear Carolyn, Thank you for this very kind review and especially for writing it on same day as your tour! I'm very touched that you spent some of your precious vacation time in writing this. Thank you also for beinig such a lovely couple to show Edinburgh tour. I hope you have a wonderful time in Scotland. Best wishes, Robert

Great tour with Robert

Dani_A, Aug 2025

Robert was great with explanations customized to our needs. The tour was very interesting with some great tips. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Huge thanks for this review, especially considering you are still on your vacation! I had a lovely time with your family and I'm so glad I persuaded you to try haggis! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the other Scottish delicacies you had planned for your time here. Safe travels home and, once again, 'thank you'! Yours, Robert

A fantastic tour of Edinburgh

LOUIS_A, Sep 2024

This was a fabulous tour. Our guide, Robert, a life-long citizen of Edinburgh and a teacher by trade, shared his immense knowledge about the history and people of the city (including some of its famous canine residents) and showed us the lesser traveled venues and passages with the most amazing views. I highly recommend it!

Fun and educational Edinburgh

Val_S, Sep 2024

Robert was an amazing guide! His sense of humour added to his incredible knowledge of the city. The tour was very comprehensive and we ended the tour with a much better understanding of this beautiful city!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Aww! I really appreciate this. You were a wonderfully engaged and engaging group. It was a pleasure to spend some time with you in Edinburgh. I hope you're having a wonderful time on vacation. Best wishes, Robert

Robert is AWESOME!

Maureen_M, Sep 2024

Ask for Robert, the tall man in a glorious kilt! He was an outstanding tour guide - hilarious, informative and delightfully irreverent! Seriously, we travel all over the world and this was one of our best guides ever!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thank you so much for being such an incredibly entertaining couple! I have to say, getting a hug from both of you was one of my 'tour guide highlights' of the year! I was very fortunate to be able to spend time with you both in my home city. I hope you had a great vacation!

Wonderful!

Margo_S, Apr 2024

Robert was super accommodating and had wonderful stories to share. What a great guide and lovely, personable fellow! You will love your private and personalized walking tour! Thanks, Robert!! 💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜

Response from Host, May 2024

Margo, thank you so much for this review, it warmed my wee heart. You were an absolute delight to take around and I hope you all had a wonderful time in Scotland. Best wishes, Robert

Exceptional Tour

William_W, Aug 2022

This was a highlight of our trip to Edinburg. Robert was an exceptional guide. He provides an enjoyable overview of the city history, landmarks, and notable stories of Scottish history and lore. Robert was an excellent communicator, and made sure to satisfy any questions we had. The tour pace was appropriate, with well timed stops at historic sites. We highly recommend Robert for your introduction to Edinburg.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Dear William, Many thanks for your kind comments. Thank you also for writing this whilst still on your holiday! I hope you have a truly incredible time - it sounds like you have many places to visit and will come back with many stories to tell. Best wishes to you both. Yours, Robert

Wonderful Private Tour with Robert!!

Gregory_K, May 2022

This was by far the most informative tour we’ve taken!! Robert (aka Forrest) was fantastic! His stories and information about Scotland and it’s history were outstanding! Would highly recommend a private tour with Robert! Great two hours with a wonderful guide!!! Thanks for the memories, Robert!!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

It was an absolute pleasure to take you around the Old Town! My next group were from your old home and also 'enjoyed' my baseball cap! Thank you for your friendly, egnaging and engaged approach to my tours. I hope you have a wonderful time here in Scotland. Yours, Robert

Wonderful walk through history!

TamaraBuchanan, May 2022

I loved the entire tour. Robert was an amazing guide and equally amazing person! I can not recommend this tour enough!

Response from Host, May 2022

Dear Tamara, Many thanks for your really kind comments. It was an absolute pleasure to take you both around the Old Town - you made it a very cheery day (even when it was cold and wet and rather miserable!). Thank you also for the photographs. I'll pop them onto the website asap. I hope you have a wonderful time in Edinburgh. Give the Mini-Schnauzer a wee pat from me when you get home! Yours, Robert

Great experience.

Katka_C, Aug 2021

Robert greeted us with a great enthusiasm and had a in depth knowledge of the history of Edinburgh with fantastic stories to tell. We felt very entertained. We would highly recommend Robert. And just want to say a huge thank you.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Katka (and family), I had SUCH a great time with your group. It was fun and your children were, as I said, an absolute credit to you. I've always been fortunate with the guests I've had, but you were such great company and had so many questions. It was a real pleasure to take you around and I only wish I could have been able to show you even more things. Hope you had a safe trip back home. Please thank your family for me. I hope the rest of the school holidays go well for your son and daughter. Yours, Robert

Old Edinburgh walking tour - private tour

Gillian_C, Jul 2021

Robert our tour guide was very friendly and informative. We learnt lots about Edinburgh from him. The tour was at a good pace as we walked around the city. We would definitely recommend booking with Robert .

I was the only person who showed up...

Monica P, Oct 2017

I was the only person who showed up for this tour but Robert made the best of it and gave me a private tour. He is a school teacher and does know his history. He was able to tell a story with humor and facts. Time when so fast, I had a great time! Thank you Robert!!!

Wonderful tour!! Learnt a lot about...

heirman.marlies, Aug 2017

Wonderful tour!! Learnt a lot about what life was in the old town, the mindset of people and how things came to be. Robert had props and everything pictures of how things would have looked and some other bit funnier props. Had some laughs witch is always nice and I left the tour with some recommendations for other thing to do witch turned out really well!!

Great tour of the old town. Robert...

Ian_W, Dec 2016

Great tour of the old town. Robert was extremely knowledgeable and told intriguing stories of what life was like and how places in the old town came to be. His passion for the topic helps engross you into the tour. Highly recommended.

Likely to Sell Out