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The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.
Exploring the site of the Old Tolbooth prison.
A happy group!
St Giles Cathedral
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10

From $28.14

Price varies by group size

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Number of travelers
0 Children0 Youths0 Adults1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults0 Seniors
Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon2 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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Overview

Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour of Edinburgh's 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 small, private group, you’ll visit three of the Old Town’s former execution spots, admire the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, and see the site of the notorious Tolbooth Prison. Throughout the tour, your guide provides archive imagery of historical Edinburgh to enhance your experience.
  • Historical walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town
  • Idea for first-time visitors and history enthusiasts
  • Explore Edinburgh's UNESCO-listed Old Town
  • Visit three former execution sites and stand on the site of the infamous Tolbooth Prison
  • Listen to stories about famous Scots including Robert Burns and Mary Queen of Scots
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From $28.14

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Local guide
Gratuities

Departure Point

Greyfriars Kirkyard, 26A Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QE, UK

Return Details

South Bridge, Edinburgh, UK
Your historical tour begins at the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, an atmospheric graveyard in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO-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: Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Robert Burns all feature.

Following your exploration, bid your guide farewell outside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Your tour starts just inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. You'll find out about Edinburgh's famous 'wee dug'; Greyfriars Bobby. There are a number of versions of his story. We'll let you make your own mind up!
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Duration: 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Grassmarket
Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket will be next on your route. You'll find out about one of Scotland's most significant weddings and how it affected Edinburgh. You'll follow the route of the pre-wedding party.
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Duration: 25 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Royal Mile
Your tour will take in a number of locations along Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. We'll see where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood, we'll visit a charming little courtyard (with a royal link) and we'll discover the very strange story of Deacon William Brodie and his hanging. We get to cover a brief history of St Giles before visiting the site of the old Mercat Cross. You'll learn about the significance of this location in the story of Prince Charles Edward Stewart ('Bonnie Prince Charlie') before we visit an atmospheric Old Town close. The stories here will be rather memorable...
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Duration: 40 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Cowgate
The Cowgate is often ignored by other tours, but we'll make the most of it when we discover what life was like for Edinburgh's Victorian poor.
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Duration: 10 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
University of Edinburgh
We'll visit two stops which belong to the famous University of Edinburgh. Burke and Hare, the infamous Irish murderers, came to where we make our penultimate stop. You'll find out how this pair worked, why they were able to murder so many people...and finally what happened to them. We may even look at the 'traditional' Highland outfit your guide will be wearing. Your final stop takes place near to Old College (or, if it's open to us, inside Old College). This is possibly one of the most fascinating places on our tour. It looks incredible now...but the story we share is even more explosive. Literally!
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Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
  • 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
  • OPERATED BY Historic Edinburgh Tours

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour..
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.?
A:
The policy on sanitization is:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
See all safety measures taken by The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour..
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.?
A:
The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour..
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.?
A:
The policy on staff health & safety is:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
See all safety measures taken by The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour..
Q:
What is the maximum group size during The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour.?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by The Old Edinburgh Walking Tour - Private tour..

Reviews

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Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-3 of 109 reviews
star-5
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!!!
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star-5
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!!
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star-5
Great tour of the old town. Robert...
Andrea T
, 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.
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