Discover the stories of the Royal Mile in the heart of Edinburgh. Walk the cobbled streets and hear the stories that built a city and its people and helped shape a nation.
A 90-minute walking tour that explores the centre of the Royal Mile. You will hear stories about how the city was shaped, the characters that lived and worked here, and how the city changed from a medieval walled city to the Athens of the North.
Behind the wynds and beneath the Royal Mile, the city most visitors walk over without ever seeing.
A drawing-room dinner shaped around the era of your choosing, with a fiddler, a historian, and four courses.
A slow walk through the city’s most storied kirkyard Burke and Hare, Bobby, the Covenanters.
A privately-arranged evening inside the empty fortress, a single dram on the battlements at midnight.
Our guides are Edinburgh historians, storytellers and locals who have spent their lives among these closes and cobbles. Get to know the people who will lead your tour and share the stories behind the stones.
Meet the team →Everything worth knowing before you book and on the day. If your question is not answered here, get in touch and we will help.
We recommend a minimum of 24 hours' advance booking, although, should space be available on the day, reservations can be made. At present, we do not take payment for arriving on the day without a prior booking being made.
Should a tour have fewer than 2 people, the tour may not run. We will offer a full refund or the opportunity to reschedule.
To be confirmed.
Although our tours are suitable for children, we do not recommend them for those under 6 due to the nature of the storytelling tour and the walking required. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 16.
25.
Private tours are available. Please contact us directly at experience@experienceedinburgh.co.uk.
Yes. Simply go to Book Here on our website and select the gift card option.
Tours will start in St Giles' Cathedral at the side of West Parliament Square. Guides will be wearing Experience Edinburgh uniforms.
Your guide will be at your meeting point 15 minutes before the start of your tour to welcome you.
Our team will be wearing a navy-blue uniform branded with our Experience Edinburgh logo. They will also have an umbrella with Experience Edinburgh branding.
Our tour will start promptly at the allotted time. It will begin in West Parliament Square for 5 minutes; once the tour leaves this space, it will be impossible for us to come back and pick you up. All tours missed by late arrival are non-refundable.
Our tour will finish on the Royal Mile outside the Merchant Tavern, near the Tron Kirk.
No, there is no luggage storage available.
Limited on-street parking is available; local parking charges will apply.
Excluding any diversions, our tour covers around three-quarters of a mile at a relaxed pace.
On average, our tour lasts 90 minutes, excluding any outside factors or delays.
Tours run regardless of rain, snow, or wind. They are generally only cancelled during official weather warnings from the Met Office. Instead of cancelling, guides often modify the route to find shelter where possible. Bad weather is not a valid reason for a customer to cancel or request a refund.
Our tours take place on the Royal Mile. The streets are cobbled and at some points are on an incline. Anyone with mobility issues should make their own best judgment as to whether they feel they can navigate the route.
Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Yes, photos are allowed, and please tag us in anything you post online.
No, there are no scheduled breaks.
Only service dogs are allowed on our tours.
We accept all major payment methods.
No, we do not accept cash payments on the day. All tours must be paid in advance.
No, but please bring any email confirmation to avoid confusion. Your guide will have your name and the number in your party.
We allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of your tour or experience. Any cancellations after this time are non-refundable. Reservations are non-transferable.
Should you need to reschedule, this can be done up to 24 hours in advance. Please contact us at experience@experienceedinburgh.co.uk.
No. However, should you wish to show your appreciation to our guides, you are free to do so.
Promotional discount codes can be used at the point of payment. Simply insert your code prior to payment to apply the discount.
Yes.
Should we have to cancel your tour for any reason, we will contact you wherever possible. We will offer you the chance to reschedule your tour to another date or time. If this is not possible, a refund will be issued.
For the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, we reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Many of our tours involve narrow passages, steep stairs and uneven ground, which can be hazardous. If you are turned away due to intoxication, no refund will be provided. We want everyone to have a spooky time, but safety comes first.
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