Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour

Discover The Intriguing History And Culture Of Edinburgh On A Walking Tour Of The Old Town
Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour-1
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Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour
From £ 14 For 1 Person
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Discover The Intriguing History And Culture Of Edinburgh On A Walking Tour Of The Old Town

Edinburgh Walking Tours: Delve into the rich history and captivating tales of Edinburgh's Old Town with this engaging walking tour experience. Designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the city's cultural heritage, the tour spans approximately two hours. The guides are passionate about Edinburgh and are committed to delivering an informative yet entertaining tour that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of this iconic city.

As you wander through the charming cobbled streets and winding alleys of the Old Town, you'll encounter famous landmarks such as St Giles Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, the George Heriot School, and the majestic Edinburgh Castle (viewed from the outside). Each guide crafts their own unique route, ensuring a personalised and engaging experience that showcases the best of Edinburgh's history and architecture. This tour serves as an ideal introduction to the city, setting the stage for further exploration of what Edinburgh has to offer.

Looking for a unique and unforgettable gift? Treat yourself or a loved one to this Edinburgh old town and history tour, perfect for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the secrets of Edinburgh's past. Immerse yourself in the stories and sights of this historic city, guided by knowledgeable experts who are dedicated to sharing their passion for Edinburgh's fascinating history. 

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

This walking tour is designed to give you a broad understanding of Edinburgh, it's history and culture.  The tour runs for around two hours taking in many of the sites of the Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We strive to be informative yet entertaining on this tour, delivering an overview of Edinburgh with the passion it deserves.

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Days Out Requirements

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please Note - Children, aged 15 and under, will not be able to join the tour unless accompanied by a responsible adult

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How long is the Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour

Experience Duration: 2:00

Time Spent at Venue: 2:15

The Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour lasts for up to 2 hours. You can expect to be at the venue for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

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Guest Info For Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour

Participants: The Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour is for 1 participant.

Max Group Size: 15

Spectators Allowed on Site: No

This experience is suitable for groups of up to 15.

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Activity Location

Edinburgh (Midlothian)

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What to Wear For This Activity

Please dress according to the weather on the day of your tour, with sensible walking shoes.

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Is This Activity Weather Dependent?

The Edinburgh history and tales walking tour takes place in most weather conditions, but may be rescheduled in the event of unsafe weather conditions.

Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour Reviews

GrandTour13920827395 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Alistar the tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Sharing the history and stories of the old town of Edinburgh. Our truly international tour group enjoyed a varied history of the Royal, the rich and the poor of Edinburgh over the years...
Alistar the tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Sharing the history and stories of the old town of Edinburgh. Our truly international tour group enjoyed a varied history of the Royal, the rich and the poor of Edinburgh over the years. The tip to visit the roof terrace of the national museum at the end of tour for views as well as exhibits was inspired
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Parke_P - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We were taught Scottish history which was nice - didn’t see a whole lot of sites but it was a quick tour.
ratsoid - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Learned all the basics about this wonderful city through stories and historical facts that John is so good at telling. Very funny, interactive, filed with knowledge and can walk backwards for miles. Very thankful for having the opportunity ...
Learned all the basics about this wonderful city through stories and historical facts that John is so good at telling. Very funny, interactive, filed with knowledge and can walk backwards for miles. Very thankful for having the opportunity to go on this tour.
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jeffreyfP4883EV - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Greg was our tour guide through Old Town Edinburgh, and he was outstanding!! Very funny, full of history, facts, and jokes. Can't recommend him enough!
Marty_S - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We got the stories and history of many of the sites which made the tour very enjoyable. We had 4 kids ranging from 10-17 and all of them loved the trip. It was informative, but also humorous and engaging.
I7608ANsarahk - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
This company is small but great! The people are passionate and they love what they do! My tour guide "English Ben" was hilarious, informative, engaging, and a pure delight! I did both the Old Town Walking Tour and the Edinburgh Castle Tour ...
This company is small but great! The people are passionate and they love what they do! My tour guide "English Ben" was hilarious, informative, engaging, and a pure delight! I did both the Old Town Walking Tour and the Edinburgh Castle Tour and I highly recommend this company and Ben in particular! It was a great way for me to get aquatinted with the city! Wonderful, wonderful tours!
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Explorer55796934130 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Our guide Allen was extremely informative and entertaining! We had been on a few other tours of Edinburgh and he still had new information for us. We highly recommend this walking tour of Edinburgh
Henry_J - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Greg’s got a great story-spinner’s charm that’s perfectly suited to tours of this ancient and mythical city. We enjoyed tapping into his local knowledge and found him warm, engaging and funny.
Ha - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Informative and entertaining walking tour sparking our interest in the history of Edinburgh and the Scottish people. Thanks
Claire - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Graham was a great guide! It was a fun & informative trip. He was good to set a pace old & young could manage.
Tanya_C - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Rosin was a very knowledgeable tour guide. She provided great facts on various attractions in Edinburgh.
yifathollander - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
As adults we enjoyed the engaging and funny stories about the history of Edinburgh. So far so good- it is an interesting tour for adults only. Now to the less good part - especially if you are a family with young children: contrary to what...
As adults we enjoyed the engaging and funny stories about the history of Edinburgh. So far so good- it is an interesting tour for adults only. Now to the less good part - especially if you are a family with young children: contrary to what is advertised it is not a tour suitable for children, adolescents maybe. Our 6 years old was not interested at all and it didn’t seem fair to bring her along or be charged fee for her to join. It would also not be a suitable tour for tourists whose English is their second language. The speed of talk would not be easy to follow, also for people who are not used to a local dialect. The majority of our group seemed like local tourists ( e.g. English, Scottish, Welsh). As a foreigner living in the UK for many years I was able to follow the stories, but I can’t imagine people just visiting from abroad being able to follow.
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Gaëtan - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Our guide Alistair was amazing, very knowledgeable and entertaining. He delivered a great experience, showing us key land points in the old town of Edinburgh, with very interesting historical stories, folkloric tales, and great jokes. To ad...
Our guide Alistair was amazing, very knowledgeable and entertaining. He delivered a great experience, showing us key land points in the old town of Edinburgh, with very interesting historical stories, folkloric tales, and great jokes. To add on top of that, he was more than happy to point us to good restaurants, pub, and which tourist traps to avoid as well. A highlight of our tour.
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kymz94 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We did our tour with Angus on quite a rainy day. Despite the rain, he was in a very good mood, super friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly funny. He made everyone feel welcome and comfortable and told us some interesting facts and st...
We did our tour with Angus on quite a rainy day. Despite the rain, he was in a very good mood, super friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly funny. He made everyone feel welcome and comfortable and told us some interesting facts and stories. We enjoyed our tour and got a feeling for the amazing city. Would do it again anytime :)
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Mae_T - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Angus was absolutely terrific and we’d highly recommend a tour with Little Fish tours.when in Edinburgh.
Emily_C - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Naomi was the perfect guide, she made sure everyone was involved, and was very informative. She had a lovely relaxed manner, but also a great sense of humour when story-telling. She also took the time to add snippets of local information an...
Naomi was the perfect guide, she made sure everyone was involved, and was very informative. She had a lovely relaxed manner, but also a great sense of humour when story-telling. She also took the time to add snippets of local information and gave excellent recommendations for good local pubs and eateries. The tour was the prefect addition to a trip to Edinburgh
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samuellCO - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Alastair is a phenomenal tour guide. He's incredibly knowledgable and strikes a terrific balance between reporting, storytelling, and commentating. His sense of humor is top-tier! Terrific info and sights. The tour content greatly expanding...
Alastair is a phenomenal tour guide. He's incredibly knowledgable and strikes a terrific balance between reporting, storytelling, and commentating. His sense of humor is top-tier! Terrific info and sights. The tour content greatly expanding on some elements you may be somewhat familiar with in addition to condensing the origins of Edinburgh and nuances of its long history into a consumable, engaging package. Highly recommend.
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Excursion557921 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Great tour with our guide Jule who was knowledgable and informative. A fun way to see the old town and learn more about Edinburgh.
ROSEMARY - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Excellent walking tour with my daughter, lead by the entertaining, funny, knowledgeable, informative, and friendly tour guide 'Koffe'. We weren't expecting such an enjoyable experience but so glad we went. Great value.
KEBRIS - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Followed and listened to Stephanie on this Walking Tour of Edinburgh - Superb. She is very informative, and presents the stories in a warm and engaging manner as she passes statues or ducks down a hidden close. Highly recommended ...
G7637WPmarkn - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Stephanie was an excellent guide. She had me laughing or smiling the whole time, and her knowledge of the history was really interesting. A lot of great stories too.
Stephen_F - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Our guide Alistair was very informative and knowledgeable and brought the tour to life with some super info and stories
Verena - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Dove was the lovliest guide ever! She was not only very knowledgeable, but also funny and super helpful. The tour was neither too long nor too short. Afterwards she even took the time to individually recommend certain sights and places to t...
Dove was the lovliest guide ever! She was not only very knowledgeable, but also funny and super helpful. The tour was neither too long nor too short. Afterwards she even took the time to individually recommend certain sights and places to those who asked. Overall we had a great time learning about Edinburghs history and its little hidden secrets. We would definitely recommend taking this tour!
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GWCII - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Ben is not too impressed with his home country. He did a good job but we were interested in the rich history of Edinburgh. He tried his best to be funny and was a genuine person.
430nilic - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Our tour guide Ella was beyond excellent! Very engaging and knowledgable about the city and its rich history. The duration of the tour was the appropriate amount time to learn most of the highlights, see the sights, and not feel exhausted f...
Our tour guide Ella was beyond excellent! Very engaging and knowledgable about the city and its rich history. The duration of the tour was the appropriate amount time to learn most of the highlights, see the sights, and not feel exhausted from all the walking! Suitable for all ages and couldn't recommend more!
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Getaway57186509887 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Ben from England is a highly charismatic, charming, passionate, upbeat and friendly historian. Our 15yo daughter told him, “If my history teacher was this entertaining and interesting, I would actually pay attention!”
Michael_K - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Great tour, provided an overview of the city history with the right mix of lore and facts. Richard was a great guide, really knew his info and was able to passionately connect with his audience. Book it!
mtramontelli - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Our tour guide, Rich, was not only full of knowledge of the area but also a vivacious story teller! He was clearly excited to be giving the tour which really resonated throughout the group. He led us through many of the major locations in O...
Our tour guide, Rich, was not only full of knowledge of the area but also a vivacious story teller! He was clearly excited to be giving the tour which really resonated throughout the group. He led us through many of the major locations in Old Town and regaled us with the history behind these locations as well as stories or local legends that supersede what history has written. He also gave us local recommendations of where to eat, drink, shop, and hear local music to avoid being stuck in the tourist traps and gain an authentic experience. I definitely recommend this tour to get a lay of the land and an appreciated for where you are visiting!
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Partseal - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
With a combination of extensive knowledge, charm, and cutting wit, Greg led us to notable spots and hidden gems around central Edinburgh. There is lots to see in a smaller area so easy on the legs. A great two hours.
Q6993WAalexz - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Great experience! The tour guide Fiona was super nice and knowledgeable. She shared a lot of good stories. Highly recommended!
PattiC362 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We took the 2 hour Tour of Old town with Steph our tour guide and she was great! Clear Scottish accent you understood every word. Steph was full of stories and was very animated when telling them. We highly recommend. You will not be disap...
We took the 2 hour Tour of Old town with Steph our tour guide and she was great! Clear Scottish accent you understood every word. Steph was full of stories and was very animated when telling them. We highly recommend. You will not be disappointed!
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Elizabeth_C - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Sonia is a remarkable tour guide with a wealth of funny and fun stories to explain the tour. Very entertaining and knowledgeable! It seems that the preferred hype of A++/5 stars is now what we oldies called a pass degree in the top 30 perc...
Sonia is a remarkable tour guide with a wealth of funny and fun stories to explain the tour. Very entertaining and knowledgeable! It seems that the preferred hype of A++/5 stars is now what we oldies called a pass degree in the top 30 percentile . Credential inflation aside, Sonia’s tour is highly recommended!
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Shuzzzy - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Spent a wonderful morning with our guide Ella. She was hilarious and gave us tons of interesting tidbits alongside the history of this amazing city. 100% recommend this tour as part of any Edinburgh itinerary!
Emilie_D - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
John is a captivating guide! He has a lot of culture and anecdotes to tell! He is easy to understand even with a beginner level of English. The tour was very enjoyable. We enjoyed the sun and John's humour!
Suzanne_C - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Great tour. We had nice weather. Euan was wonderful. He brought to life the stories of Edinburgh. Very knowledgable! A must take your.
Daniela - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
The tour was entertaining and you could learn a lot about anecdotes of events in the city. John is a knowledgeable tour guide and very helpful with additional questions.
Darren - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We played this tour by ear and simply showed up. Our guide Stephanie was amazingly funny and educational as she walked us through Edinburgh. This was the best walking tour I've been on (and I've done many as it's one of the best ways to g...
We played this tour by ear and simply showed up. Our guide Stephanie was amazingly funny and educational as she walked us through Edinburgh. This was the best walking tour I've been on (and I've done many as it's one of the best ways to get to know a place). She engaged a wide range of people from many different countries as well as young kids to older adults. I would highly recommend doing this tour (hopefully, you get Stephanie). And do it the first day you get there as it will set you up for the rest of your stay.
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mapple - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Eva was an amazing tour guide! It was a very informative 2.5 hours we got to spent with her. She is knowledgeable about the history of Edinburgh and she knows how to share it with wit. Thank you, Eva!
TRK2886 - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We went on the walking tour of old town in Edinburgh booked through Viator. Our tour guide Naomi was very knowledgeable and engaging. Even though the tour was only for around 3 hours, she shared details about the history of the city and int...
We went on the walking tour of old town in Edinburgh booked through Viator. Our tour guide Naomi was very knowledgeable and engaging. Even though the tour was only for around 3 hours, she shared details about the history of the city and interesting stories. She kept the tour group engaged and was happy to answer any questions they may have. She also recommended some amazing restaurants. We tried all the recommendations and we were very happy with every single one of them. Overall the tour was fun because of Naomi and we were glad to have her as our guide.
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399jenst - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
My partner and I joined Steph’s tour through the old town. During this two hour experience we had good fun and learned about Edinburgh’s history, how it became the Athens of the North, plumbing issues and much more. Steph is knowledgeable, ...
My partner and I joined Steph’s tour through the old town. During this two hour experience we had good fun and learned about Edinburgh’s history, how it became the Athens of the North, plumbing issues and much more. Steph is knowledgeable, witty and fun to listen to. Join her tour and enjoy a different view on the town.
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Margaret_W - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We enjoyed everything but in particular learning about Scottish history. Alistair was a great guide, very informative and good fun
shawn_v - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Getting done with it, did not learn much about the town most of it was about the history of Scotland
Christina_L - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
The Tour guide was very informative and fun to listen to. We started on time which is always a plus!
Kjersti - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
We usually do a free walking tour in every city we visit, and this is probably the best tour we’ve been on so far! We had the lovely Sabella to guide us through town, and she was absolutely wonderful - such a bubbly personality, funny and k...
We usually do a free walking tour in every city we visit, and this is probably the best tour we’ve been on so far! We had the lovely Sabella to guide us through town, and she was absolutely wonderful - such a bubbly personality, funny and knowledgeable! We learned loads, and Edinburgh is an even lovelier city now than it was before this tour. Highly recommend it! Would recommend doing the free tour as the first thing you do, as you get a lot of tips as to what is worth checking out. We regret not doing the other tours, especially the one on Edinburgh Castle. We’ll save it for next time we visit!
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Amy - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Fiona did an amazing job on this tour - - we loved hearing about the history of the Old Town, especially from Fiona as she was able to be articulate, funny and informative all at the same time! Edinburgh is such a beautiful city with so muc...
Fiona did an amazing job on this tour - - we loved hearing about the history of the Old Town, especially from Fiona as she was able to be articulate, funny and informative all at the same time! Edinburgh is such a beautiful city with so much history! We’d highly recommend this tour!
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Claire - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Although not originally from Edinburgh, Sabela was a great guide. There are a lot of free walking tours in Edinburgh and I chose this one because it was a smaller company and I was hoping that it would therefore be a smaller group. Some of ...
Although not originally from Edinburgh, Sabela was a great guide. There are a lot of free walking tours in Edinburgh and I chose this one because it was a smaller company and I was hoping that it would therefore be a smaller group. Some of the free walking tours that I did throughout Europe had as many as 40 people, and on a couple of them it felt like we only saw about 5 places, with lengthy explanations at each one. This tour was small - only 7 of us (I'm not sure if that's normal or if I was just lucky) and Sabela kept the explanations short, and moved quickly between sites so it felt like we saw a lot. Her stories were entertaining and she even acted things out for us at some points so it was very engaging.
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Mark_S - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
Fun, informative tour with a very passionate guide. Covered history topics without it feeling heavy. Good stuff
Hope - Anonymous location
  • 9/1/2023
The guide told fun stories and pointed out things we would not have noticed. It was nice to an overview of the old city and not just the castle.

Questions about Edinburgh Old Town History And Tales Walking Tour

What is the Edinburgh Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour?
The Edinburgh Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour is a guided walking experience that explores the rich history, architecture, and intriguing tales of the Old Town of Edinburgh.
How long does the tour last?
The tour typically lasts around 2 to 2.5 hours, allowing you plenty of time to learn about the history and stories of the area.
What should I wear for the walking tour?
We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and dressing appropriately for the weather, as the tour takes place outdoors.
Is the walking tour suitable for all ages?
Yes, the walking tour is suitable for all ages, making it a perfect family-friendly gift experience!
How many people are usually in a tour group?
Tour groups typically consist of 10 to 15 participants, ensuring a more personal and engaging experience.
Can I book the tour as a gift experience?
Absolutely! The walking tour makes for a unique and thoughtful gift experience for history lovers and those interested in Edinburgh's culture.
What if it rains on the day of the tour?
Tours proceed rain or shine! We recommend bringing an umbrella or waterproof jacket if the forecast looks wet.
Is there a minimum age for participants?
While there is no strict minimum age, children should be accompanied by an adult for a safe and enjoyable experience.
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