Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 52 4.0 · 3 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $266
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Outty Ranking

52/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.0/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Edinburgh Private Walking Tour worth booking?

Edinburgh Private Walking Tour is a 3-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $266 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
52 / 100
Rating
4/5 (3)
Duration
3 hours
From
$266 per person

Meeting you at your city centre hotel, we will take you on a private walking tour around Edinburgh with a local and dedicated guide. Not only will you see all the big tourist sights but we will also show you many less known locations.  Along the way you will get to know much more about the history of our beautiful city and some of the people who have made it their home over the last 1500 years. The perfect tour to see 'everything' if you're only here for a day or two or for your first day of a longer stay to help plan out the rest of your trip.

What you get

    About this experience

    Meeting you at your city centre hotel, we will take you on a private walking tour around Edinburgh with a local and dedicated guide. Not only will you see all the big tourist sights but we will also show you many less known locations.  Along the way you will get to know much more about the history of our beautiful city and some of the people who have made it their home over the last 1500 years. The perfect tour to see 'everything' if you're only here for a day or two or for your first day of a longer stay to help plan out the rest of your trip.

    What's included

    Included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Local guide
    • Private tour
    • Professional guide

    Not included

    • Food and drinks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Edinburgh Castle

      See Edinburgh Castle (outside only)

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Royal Mile

      The famous main street of Edinburgh, with the Castle at one end and the Queens Palace at the other. Lined with shops, and alleyways shooting off in every direction as well as being home to the Scottish Parliament and St Giles Cathedral

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Grassmarket

      Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town and behind Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket area is one of the most vibrant, picturesque and lively areas of the city. Great for food and drink too.

      15 minutes here · Admission included

    4. St Giles' Cathedral

      The High Kirk of Scotland

      20 minutes here · Admission included

    5. The Scottish Parliament

      The very contemporary looking Scottish Parliament.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    6. Calton Hill

      If your legs are up to it, why not stroll up Calton Hill for perhaps the most iconic views of Edinburgh.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    7. Scott Monument

      See the greatest monument to an author, anywhere in the world.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Ye Olde England 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
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide.  To make it easier and sarer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point.  This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour.  Your guide will also have a mask with them.

    Photos

    From one of the best vantage points in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Private Walking TourBeautiful Edinburgh, Edinburgh Private Walking TourEdinburgh Private Walking Tour, photo 4Edinburgh Private Walking Tour, photo 5Edinburgh Private Walking Tour, photo 6From one of the best vantage points in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    1 mention

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    1 mention

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Physical effort

    1 mention

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Pace and timing

    1 mention

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh Private Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    amy_s · June 2026

    Edinburgh walking tour - knows way around city but history not so much

    Guide nice but not a licensed tour guide and not that knowledgeable . he knows way around city of edinbirgh

    Response from the operator: We're sorry you didn't enjoy your tour with one of the most experienced guides in Edinburgh. The guide has done dozens of tours in Edinburgh for over a decade and through Scotland for much longer. Our Edinburgh tour has even been featured by American TV. The guide mentioned that you only wanted to get to the castle as quickly as possible and see the palace and surgeons hall but didn't have any interest in Edinburgh beyond that or anything he had to say which is a shame because as you say he is a nice guy and knows his way around Edinburgh.

    via Viator

    Deborah_T · October 2025

    It was a thorough and...

    It was a thorough and complete tour of Edinburgh. Andy made it informative and entertaining. He also made certain to address our interests.

    Response from the operator: Thanks for leaving such a nice review. We really appreciate it and I'm glad that you enjoyed our Edinburgh Private Walking Tour with Andy so much.

    via Viator

    happievakations · May 2018

    Considerate, Accommodating and Knowledgeable!!

    I cannot say enough about this company!! This was our second tour with them. First in London with Stephen the owner who is SO involved and truly cares about his business. I am a pop culture junkie and he made an entire tour up for me! Andrew in Edinburgh was the same. Tell them what your interests are and they will go above and beyond to give you the history of the locations but also make it special for your interests! As someone with chronic illnesses I appreciated that they checked with me ahead of time to let me know there would be steep hills and stairs and offered to hire a car if I needed it (I didnt). I appreciated tips on what to expect, how to dress etc. The castle is functional and can be busy in summer months but the line to get tickets wasnt bc we got loads of history while we waited in line! Exploring the castle at our own pace was lovely. There were castle guides with MASSIVE groups, it was so nice to be off on our own to really take it all in. Lunch after was lovely. It was nice to hear Andy's personal family history rather than just the stories off the plaques. We got so many tips on places to eat etc! I will be hiring them again when we come back in the fall with our extended family... Because, we are getting married at the Castle!!! Thank you so much Andy and Stephen. You are far too overqualified hahaha but I appreciate that you do this out of love for your cites!! See you soon!!!

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your kind review. It was so nice to meet someone so enthusastic as to allow us to create personalised tours. It was a real pleasure to meet you and I know Andy feels the same. Can't wait to meet you again when you return for your big day. Congratulations :-) And thanks for touring with us at Ye Olde England Tours.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Ye Olde England Tours, who run 55 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.2.

    See everything Ye Olde England Tours runs

    Why this scores 52

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
    Review evidence (18% weight)17
    Booking momentum (14% weight)10
    Value for money (12% weight)39
    Listing quality (10% weight)82
    Local standing (8% weight)37
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Edinburgh Private Walking Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.

    How much does Edinburgh Private Walking Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $266 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 Private Walking Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Private Walking Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 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 Edinburgh Private Walking Tour?

    +

    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 Private Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Edinburgh Private Walking Tour?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Edinburgh Private Walking Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Private Walking Tour?

    +

    Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Local guide; Private tour; and Professional guide. Not included: Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Edinburgh Private Walking Tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 83 listed pickup locations in and around Edinburgh. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Edinburgh Private Walking Tour offered in?

    +

    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 Private Walking Tour?

    +

    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 Private Walking Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Edinburgh Private Walking Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    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 Private Walking Tour?

    +

    Across 3 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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