Edinburgh Old Town History Tour: From the Royal Mile to Greyfriars
Introduction to Edinburgh’s Old Town, its history and culture. We follow the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle, continuing through the Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Highlights include the City Chambers, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Heart of Midlothian, and the Greyfriars Bobby statue, with historical context from William Wallace to Robert the Bruce.

Basic Information
Total time
1h 45m
Language
English, German, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
351 High Street (Royal Mile), opposite St. Giles’ Cathedral Nearest public transport: Princes Street tram stop; Edinburgh Waverley train station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Scotland City Tours guides. Look for the guide with the umbrella with Scotland City Tours logo.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Welcome to Edinburgh, a place that has the power of setting people’s imagination running wild and free, enabling them to create amazing things. Magic, castles, pirates, adventures and crime are all there waiting to be discovered. Rest assured that you would want to come back for more over and over again, and each time Edinburgh will not cease to enchant and surprise you!
The city developed from an old stronghold set on the rocky hill and a settlement below it. From one side it was guarded by the sea, from the other by mountains. For centuries, England and Scotland fought battles for it. Once often called an “old reekie” for the way its oldest parts looked like, dotted with crooked houses with countless added floors, narrow winding streets and black smoke constantly rising over its roofs. But then the new Edinburgh was built and for a change, it started to be called “Athens of the North” as it was here that thinkers, writers and artists created ideas that gave birth to the new Scottish society.
Edinburgh forever attracted great artists, poets, writers and filmmakers, inspiring them to produce their finest works. It was here that Robert Louis Stevenson created his pirate stories, Arthur Conan Doyle founded the character of Sherlock Holmes and J.K. Rowling wrote her Harry Potter books. Where would we be without them?
During the tour we will explore the historic centre of the city, located on a hill towering over Edinburgh. We’ll start at the representative Royal Mile and then begin the climb up to the royal castle to feel the mediaeval atmosphere of the city, as if taken straight from the legendary “Braveheart.” Edinburgh is famous for its dark stories and ghosts, so it’s no surprise that we’ll end up in Scotland’s most famous graveyard. But even in such a gloomy place we will surprise you with an exceptionally warm story about the strongest of friendships – the friendship between man and dog. Of course, there will be no shortage of tips on where and what to eat, we will try to reduce your fear of haggis and familiarise you with Scottish whisky. It is possible that we will ruin your notion that every Scot wears a kilt and plays the bagpipes, but that’s who we are – we want you to get to know the real Scotland and the more than 1,000-year history of its capital.
Highlights
- 1
Royal Mile
The historic main street of Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting the castle to the palace.
- 2
St. Giles' Cathedral
The main church of Edinburgh, also known as the High Kirk, located on the Royal Mile.
- 3
Braveheart's Heroes
Learn the true stories behind Scottish national heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
- 4
Grassmarket
A historic marketplace in the Old Town, once the site of public executions.
- 5
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Scotland's most famous cemetery, home to notable graves and the city's most famous ghost.
- 6
Greyfriars Bobby
Hear the heartwarming tale of the loyal dog who guarded his master's grave for 14 years.
- 7
Literary Edinburgh
Discover the city that inspired authors like J.K. Rowling and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Map
351 High Street (Royal Mile), opposite St. Giles’ Cathedral Nearest public transport: Princes Street tram stop; Edinburgh Waverley train station