
Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 145 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local worth booking?
Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $25 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 145 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (145)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Escape the overcrowded Royal Mile and enjoy an intimate, personal tour of Edinburgh's hidden gems with a friendly local guide! On this relaxed walking tour you'll encounter the best of Edinburgh - an historic neighbourhood (Dean Village) with architecture dating back to the 1600's, historic monuments, quirky local cafes, quaint hidden alleyways and streets and you'll walk along the city's only river. There might even be a waterfall and if you are really lucky, you might even see local otters, right in the middle of the city! Book this tour if you want to get away from the tourist crowds and experience something a bit more "local". Perfect for anyone who's seen the Old Town.
What you get
About this experience
Escape the overcrowded Royal Mile and enjoy an intimate, personal tour of Edinburgh's hidden gems with a friendly local guide! On this relaxed walking tour you'll encounter the best of Edinburgh - an historic neighbourhood (Dean Village) with architecture dating back to the 1600's, historic monuments, quirky local cafes, quaint hidden alleyways and streets and you'll walk along the city's only river. There might even be a waterfall and if you are really lucky, you might even see local otters, right in the middle of the city! Book this tour if you want to get away from the tourist crowds and experience something a bit more "local". Perfect for anyone who's seen the Old Town.
What's included
Included
- Tour Guide Services
What you'll see and do
Dean Village
A stunningly pretty former mill village located in Dean Vally by the fast flowing Water of Leith. See 17th century buildings as well as potentially wildlife including herons and otters. A taste of the Highlands only ten minutes walk from Princes Street!
20 minutes here
New Town
Explore the not so New Town of Edinburgh- it was originally built in the 1770s! The neighbourhood’s design revolutionised the way cities were laid. See the former home of one of Scotland’s greatest writers and marvel at the grand Georgian townhouses.
40 minutes here
Water of Leith Walkway
We'll walk down the river path, maybe spotting the local otters, birdlife and a few indigenous Edinburghers too! There's local history too!
25 minutes here
Stockbridge Market
When you do this tour on Sunday, you'll pass by the Stockbridge market
20 minutes here
We end the tour at the most instagrammable Lane in Edinburgh
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
We will meet you outside The Tour Box Police Box, located in the West End of Princes St. Meet us here 5-10mins before the tour starts and get yourself a Specialty Coffee or Hot Chocolate for your tour.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
From here it will take 10mins to walk back to where the tour started
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Local Eyes Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Strollers can be used, but parents need to be in good shape, and ready for cobblestones
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 143 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
143 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent Tour
Exceelent tour with a very knowledgeable guide, Wag
via Tripadvisor
Hello, it was a very nice...
Hello, it was a very nice tour with a great guide. Unfortunately, there seems to be an issue with the app; I selected German, but the tour was in English. It wasn't a major problem, but there is room for improvement. I have booked another tour for tomorrow and hope that one will be in German.
via Viator
An interesting and informative tour
A very interesting, enjoyable and informative tour. Our guide, Wag, was excellent and held our attention with lots of fascinating anecdotes. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Edinburgh for the first time
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful walking tour
Stuart was our guide. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of history and great information. I would highly recommend this tour!
via Viator
Sunshine and stories
Great experience with a local guide in a beautiful area of Edinburgh with wonderful weather!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 51
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Local Eyes Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.9.
See everything Local Eyes Tours runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local cost?
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Prices start at $25 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 Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 145 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 Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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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 Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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Around 51 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local 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 The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. 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.
What is included in Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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Included: Tour Guide Services. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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We will meet you outside The Tour Box Police Box, located in the West End of Princes St. Meet us here 5-10mins before the tour starts and get yourself a Specialty Coffee or Hot Chocolate for your tour. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Strollers can be used, but parents need to be in good shape, and ready for cobblestones. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Edinburgh. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Edinburgh: Dean Village Circus Lane Walking Tour with a Local?
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Across 145 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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