
Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour worth booking?
Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour is a 4-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $31 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $31 per person
Why was a pet blackbird arrested in 1736? What did a washerwoman insist on before she would pull philosopher David Hume out of a swamp? Why was Robert the Bruce Edinburgh Castle’s most deadly enemy? You really couldn’t
What you get
- All guiding and commentary on this 4-5 hour outdoor tour
About this experience
Why was a pet blackbird arrested in 1736? What did a washerwoman insist on before she would pull philosopher David Hume out of a swamp? Why was Robert the Bruce Edinburgh Castle’s most deadly enemy? You really couldn’t make up the history of Old Edinburgh! Seldom in the world can there have been so many odd events and strange goings-on in one town’s story as in Edinburgh, and telling these curious tales is what this tour is all about! Local doctor Moray Grigor is an Edinburgh native and lover of the city, and has been collecting some of the best of its stories to bring to you. Starting just below the Castle, we’ll be touring down the world-famous Royal Mile, ducking into alleys and back courts as we go, and we’ll be hearing the most outlandish, amusing and fascinating anecdotes of the Old Town, many collected by Edinburgh publisher and author Robert Chambers right back in 1824. In Edinburgh, truth really is stranger than fiction – as Dr Grigor will be delighted to show you!
What's included
Included
- All guiding and commentary on this 4-5 hour outdoor tour
Not included
- Tea and coffee
What you'll see and do
Castello Di Edimburgo
Tales of Bonnie' Dundee's escape from Edinburgh, Allan Ramsay's court appeal, enormous gang fights and water woes!
20 minutes here
Tales of rebellious pets, couples at political loggerheads, two-faced businessmen, philosopher-chefs and fake news!
30 minutes here
Advocate's Close
Tales of lame, gangfighting would-be authors, astounded judges, and very mischievous little girls!
10 minutes here
St Giles' Cathedral
Tales of kings in debt, romantic silver spoons, church prayer-stools being thrown, and an unusual resting place for our most famous preacher.
30 minutes here
Royal Mile
Tales of theatre riots, dull dances, raving beauties, novel financial products, and full-scale rebellion!
60 minutes here
Canongate Kirk
Tales of vicious poets, tragic Royal favourites, and eccentric economists!
25 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
We meet near the top of Castlehill (top of Royal Mile) near the head of Castle Wynd North stairs.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Just outside Canongate Kirk in Canongate (lower Royal Mile)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 7 Hills Tours Edinburgh
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Due to the amount of walking on hard and sometimes uneven surfaces we do not recommend the tour for guests with mobility problems (unless using wheelchair)
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $31 to $180
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $31 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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