
Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 261 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour worth booking?
Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $25 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 261 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (261)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Discover the history Edinburgh's most historic quarter in a personal small group setting with an expert local guide. On this intimate 2 hour Walking Tour, you’ll find out how Edinburgh has evolved and developed over the past 2000 years. What were the major events that shaped it's development and who were the famous/infamous characters behind these events? We answer these questions and many more! Tours in English language only. You'll see all of Edinburgh's most important landmarks, and some lesser known Old Town locations as well. This tour is perfect for the discerning traveller who wants the real history of the Old town.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the history Edinburgh's most historic quarter in a personal small group setting with an expert local guide. On this intimate 2 hour Walking Tour, you’ll find out how Edinburgh has evolved and developed over the past 2000 years. What were the major events that shaped it's development and who were the famous/infamous characters behind these events? We answer these questions and many more! Tours in English language only. You'll see all of Edinburgh's most important landmarks, and some lesser known Old Town locations as well. This tour is perfect for the discerning traveller who wants the real history of the Old town.
What's included
Included
- This tour includes an expert local guide
What you'll see and do
Royal Mile
Traverse Edinburgh’s historic thoroughfare, see buildings dating back to the 1400s and hear some of the major events which shaped its history. We end the tour here.
30 minutes here
Greyfriars
Explore Edinburgh’s world famous graveyard, hear how this site inspired renowned authors from Mary Shelley to J.K. Rowling contributed to medical science and the story of a certain very loyal dog.
20 minutes here
Grassmarket
Edinburgh’s traditional farmers’ market, home to some of the oldest pubs in the city (with connections to hangings and body snatchers) and the best view of the Castle in Edinburgh.
15 minutes here
St Giles' Cathedral
We walk around the cathedral, exploring it's architecture and history
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Edinburgh Old Town
We walk through the Old town, examining the history of the city's most interesting quarter
120 minutes here
Princes Street and Gardens
We start the tour here and explore the bowels of the Old Town, learning gruesome medieval history of Edinburgh.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Your guide will be standing in front of the Statue of Sir James Young Simpson, next to the entrance of Princes St Gardens. Walk to the West End of Princes St to find this location.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour finishes on or near the High Street section of the Royal Mile
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Local Eyes Tours
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
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchairs and Strollers can be used on this tour, but the Old Town is hilly and has cobblestones
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 261 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
261 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour guide to a great city
Out tour guide Wag is very knowledgeable and well spoken. He was a joy to listen to. I highly recommend this tour!
via Viator
Stuart was an extremely...
Stuart was an extremely personable guy and made our tour really interesting and fun. Gained so much information about buildings we’ve passed so many times and not looked at. A great couple of hours well spent.
via Viator
History walking tour
Our guide Shawna had so much knowledge and clearly loves history. She made the tour very interesting! It was a great way to learn about Edinburgh. She also gave suggestions for what to see afterwards- we did one of those activities and loved that, too. This walking tour was exactly what we hoped for!
via Viator
Informative and a great mix of sites
Jack was a great guide, very informative! Took us to several cool sites and had a lot of local history to tell us.
via Viator
Informative and enjoyable tour of Edinburgh's Old Town
We were a particularly small group, so there were no problems keeping up or having the attention of the guide. Shauna ( ? ) was a transplanted American, but her knowledge of Scottish, and particularly Edinburgh, history was excellent, and though I had already been in the city a week I learned a lot. Especially interesting was the visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where there were some spooky tales to be told and some amazing statistics on the sheer numbers buried there. Altogether well worth while in gaining a detailed insight into Edinburgh's past.
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
- 91
- Verdict
- Exceptional
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 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour 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: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour 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: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 261 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: History Lovers Old Town 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 Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour 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: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour?
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Around 91 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: History Lovers Old Town 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 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: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour?
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Included: This tour includes an expert local guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour?
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Your guide will be standing in front of the Statue of Sir James Young Simpson, next to the entrance of Princes St Gardens. Walk to the West End of Princes St to find this location. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour?
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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: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Wheelchairs and Strollers can be used on this tour, but the Old Town is hilly and has cobb. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour?
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Across 261 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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