Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 62 5.0 · 3 traveler reviews4 hoursFrom $31
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

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

  1. 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

  2. Tales of rebellious pets, couples at political loggerheads, two-faced businessmen, philosopher-chefs and fake news!

    30 minutes here

  3. Advocate's Close

    Tales of lame, gangfighting would-be authors, astounded judges, and very mischievous little girls!

    10 minutes here

  4. 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

  5. Royal Mile

    Tales of theatre riots, dull dances, raving beauties, novel financial products, and full-scale rebellion!

    60 minutes here

  6. 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

Castle Esplanade, EdinburghCurious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour in Edinburgh, photo 3Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour in Edinburgh, photo 4Advocate's CloseCurious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour in Edinburgh, photo 6The Lawnmarket

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.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
Review evidence (18% weight)16
Booking momentum (14% weight)9
Value for money (12% weight)84
Listing quality (10% weight)90
Local standing (8% weight)53
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

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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