Edinburgh Royal Mile Tours

Make the most of your time in Edinburgh with our guided walking tour that combines a walk on the historic Royal Mile and a guided visit inside Edinburgh Castle (entry included). The tour will begin on the Royal Mile, where your guide will lead you through cobbled streets, sharing fascinating stories of Scotland’s past and pointing out iconic landmarks like St. Giles' Cathedral, the colourful Victoria Street, and the Grassmarket with its vibrant atmosphere. Uncover Edinburgh castle's rich history and visit the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Great Hall, and St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city. Learn about the dramatic life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and experience the One O’Clock Gun firing. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to keep exploring the roofed buildings of the castle at your own pace.

This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. The first secret you’ll learn? That you can skip the line at Edinburgh Castle! Step into Edinburgh’s secrets and discover the heart of Scotland’s capital, beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks. A beautiful city steeped in awe-inspiring history that has been perfectly preserved to this day, in the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The castle towers over Edinburgh from up high on its ancient volcanic rock – a literal fortress, looking out over the city’s stunning landscapes. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it. Visit Edinburgh Castle with your Mercat Tours Storyteller and from the Royal Mile you’ll walk over the drawbridge and straight past the ticket line – leaving the queues behind and continuing your journey into Edinburgh’s history uninterrupted.

This tour is led by Edinburgh Guided Tour — a small team of exceptional Guides, including PHD Historians, a Professor, and a Museum Manager. Each guide handpicked for their intelligence and warmth. Their passion for Edinburgh shines through in every story they tell, from royal scandal to Enlightenment genius, from Harry Potter to historical rogues. We keep our group size small — never more than 12 guests — so every participant enjoys a personal experience. No straining to hear in a crowd of 30! Our guests consistently give us amazing reviews. These are not your average guides. They will Make History Come Alive. • Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Mile and surrounds • See the secret closes and wynds and all of the major sites • Learn of the famous writers, poets, and economists who have made Edinburgh their home • Visit famous landmarks such as St Giles Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars’ Kirkyard • Take the opportunity to capture some amazing photographic opportunities

Explore amazing Royal mile of Edinbourgh at your own pace with audioguide on your smartphone. The map guides your route, and engaging audio commentary acts as your personal guide. You'll experience the best: Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, narrow medieval lanes, grave of the Scottish Hachiko, unique double-level street, and more! 23 audio commentaries was written by a professional historian, lifting the veil of mystery over the history, legends and culture of Scotland. Enjoy the tour at your own pace without a tour group. Be free to pause the audio guide at any point to rest in a café or buy souvenirs. You can turn down any pretty alley and get back on the route, skip something you're not personally interested in or listen to the recording again. The walk ends infron of Edinbourgh castle. You can visit its museum or continue your walk around the city.

Explore the Royal Mile and its secret alleys on a journey where history comes to life. From the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, enter the old closets, narrow passages full of history, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visit iconic landmarks such as Bakehouse Close, Dunbar’s Close or James Court, as we discover the lives of key figures such as Allan Ramsay, David Hume or Patrick Geddes. You will also explore gardens hidden among the stone, small oases in the heart of historic center. An ideal experience for those looking to discover the most authentic and surprising side of Edinburgh.

This experience offers a true taste of Scotland in an intimate cellar right on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. With a maximum of just 10 guests, each session is personal, relaxed, and engaging — a world away from crowded, touristy tours. Our whisky masterclass is designed to be welcoming for both beginners and enthusiasts, blending expert education with storytelling and fun. Plus, with options to upgrade to premium and rare drams, you can tailor the experience to suit your curiosity or passion for whisky. It's an authentic, intimate way to discover the magic of Scotch whisky in the heart of the city.

Stroll through the famous Royal Mile hearing the history of the Edinburgh's Old Town. Discover the hidden stories from Auld Reekies past and discover hidden gems.

Join us for an exciting walking tour of Edinburgh, where you'll experience the city's rich history, fascinating mysteries, and captivating legends. Stroll along the charming cobbled streets and discover the stories that have shaped this iconic city—some are well-known, while others might surprise you! You'll hear about Deacon Brodie, the inspiration behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and explore eerie tales from haunted taverns. Each stop on the tour reveals a unique aspect of Edinburgh's heritage. Highlights of the tour include visits to historic sites like Canongate Kirk, where famous figures are buried, and Mercat Cross, a place steeped in ancient traditions. Marvel at the stunning architecture of Gladstone's Land and uncover chilling legends from the city's darker corners. This self-guided tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, mystery lovers, and curious travelers alike. Explore at your own pace and uncover secrets that many visitors miss.

Tune into ancient and modern Scottish tales on one of Europe’s oldest streets with this affordable walking tour and the industry-leading VoiceMap mobile app. • See historical sights along all four sections of the Royal Mile and find out about the city’s stench in the 1500s, and how far it traveled • Hear from producer Martin Donnelly, a Senior Teaching Fellow and Edinburgh local • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it ️• Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Enjoy a tour of Edinburgh’s old Town and its royal highlights in 5 hours. The tour includes tickets to Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is a small-group activity. At Edinburgh Castle you will see the Honours of Scotland and hear the stories behind Scotland’s kings and queens. Walk the Royal Mile with a local guide and discover the historic highlights of the medieval heart of Edinburgh. The tour will end at Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s official residence in Scotland. You will visit the palace at your own pace using the audio guide, which is included in the price of the tour.

Solve A Mystery is a self-guided murder mystery city tour in Edinburgh for friends and family! Simply purchase online, collect it at our pick-up spot, and begin your adventure any time that suits you. The murder mystery takes place in central Edinburgh. The start destination is outside Tron Kirk on High St. The final destination is Grassmarket. Walking distance: 4 miles. The year is 1968. You are the only Detective Constable on duty due to a anniversary celebration of the Edinburgh police department, when suddenly the body of a dead woman is discovered. You must serve justice to those guilty of this hideous crime. Much is at stake! Throughout the experience, you will be guided around Edinburgh, while solving tasks and riddles related to the historical surroundings. You must gather sufficient evidence and indict the right suspect to ensure the peace of Edinburgh's citizens. Good luck and happy solving! PLEASE NOTE: This mystery is only available in ENGLISH!

Explore centuries of drama and intrigue on this self-guided walking tour along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where you'll uncover the stories of royals, rogues, and reformers that shaped the city’s history. Starting at Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade, the tour takes you through the Royal Mile’s four sections—Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, and Canongate—down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Along the way, you’ll encounter landmarks tied to figures like John Knox and Robert Fergusson, and hear about the city's haunted alleyways, notorious figures like William Brodie, and the darker side of Edinburgh’s past. Ending near the Scottish Parliament Building, this tour offers a deeper understanding of Edinburgh’s royal and rebellious history.

Old Town Royal Mile is a MUST DO tour as this was the original Edinburgh during the ancient times and it is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Come and discover Real Edinburgh with a local expert & Tour Guide. This is the Best Tour in Edinburgh. We will discover unknown, hidden spots and well-known historic places , including some HARRY POTTER sites, we will explore how the medieval Edinburgh looked like & how the city walls enclosed ancient Edinburgh and many more. Join me on this exciting, fun, mysterious and Historical walk through one of the oldest cities in the world, High Street and Beyond. I guarantee I will give you the Best History Tour in Edinburgh ! We will explore in detail the entire Old Town-Royal Mile. You will learn how old Edinburgh was, how people lived, what was real life during the medieval times and many many more things, facts & histories about Auld Reekie (Old Smokey the ancient name of Edinburgh). We will pass under & over different levels.

If you like your history a little deeper and more unusual, these new walking tours of the Royal Mile may be perfect! Building on more than 6 years of unbroken five star reviews for his private touring, your guide Dr Moray Grigor will be delighted to welcome you into the rich and strange history of Scotland’s capital, as he brings you traditional tales of the Royal Mile and its historic events and characters. In this uppermost section of the street (Monday tour) , we’ll hear of drunken judges, crazy clubs, religious fanatics, rebel ladies, fake news, philosophers, sieges, and hear why a pet blackbird was arrested! Annual building works permitting we’ll also enjoy the views from the Castle Esplanade. Hear the sounds of Scots and Gaelic poetry and song (with translation), and tales that will stir the imagination and bring our history to life. Experience the care, attention and warm Edinburgh welcome that brought six years of unbroken five stars!

If you like your history a little deeper and more unusual, these new walking tours of the Royal Mile may be perfect! Building on more than six years of unbroken five star reviews for his private touring, your guide Dr Moray Grigor will be delighted to welcome you into the rich and strange history of Scotland’s capital, as he brings you traditional tales of the Royal Mile and the events and characters which shaped it. In this central section of the Royal Mile (Tuesday tour), we’ll be hearing of jailbreaks, civil wars, Jacobites, disappearing wigs, smelly deluges, Gaelic poets, hero firemasters, and Edinburgh’s greatest society beauty – not to mention three of Edinburgh’s ‘gifts’ to the world! Hear the sounds of Scots and Gaelic poetry and song (with translation), and tales that will stir the imagination and bring our history to life. Experience the care, attention and warm Edinburgh welcome that brought six years of unbroken five stars!