Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 95 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 2.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 95 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (95)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Explore Scotland’s ancient capital and see a side to the city many visitors miss on this private 2.5-hour Edinburgh walking tour. Follow a private guide through the streets and alleyways to discover UNESCO–listed attract
What you get
- Professional guide
About this experience
Explore Scotland’s ancient capital and see a side to the city many visitors miss on this private 2.5-hour Edinburgh walking tour. Follow a private guide through the streets and alleyways to discover UNESCO–listed attractions and hidden gems. Stroll from the Old Town to the Royal Mile and take in key sites of interest such as the Grass market and Victoria Street. Hear tales from Edinburgh’s dim and distant past, and hear how historic events shaped the city we see today.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
St Giles' Cathedral
See the outside of the building and hear about the interesting characters from it's past, how they shaped the most read book of all time and how that influenced the witch trials.
15 minutes here
Royal Mile
See some of the highlights of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile on foot with your guide stopping to tell you about the must know facts, funny history and quirky stories. We will also point out the places locals like to eat and drink if you want such info.
20 minutes here
Grassmarket
Pass the end of the Grassmarket while heading up to Victoria Street, where Diagon Alley in Harry Potter is based on.
Pass by without stopping
Advocate's Close
Get some amazing views from Old Town to New Town, find out about the man who revived Scottish culture lost after the Jacobite rebellion and what happened when a chamber pot was emptied from a great height.
5 minutes here
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
Find out about the wild life of the man who led a respectable life by day and a less than moral life at night and how he inspired the Curious Case of Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde.
5 minutes here
See this stunning local street, learn about where the locals shop and eat.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
We meet at the main steps to St Giles Cathedral which is on the Royal Mile just across the street from Royal Mile Whiskies.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet at the main steps to St Giles Cathedral which is on the Royal Mile just across the street from Royal Mile Whiskies.
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
- Iconic 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
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tours leave from the main entrance of St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile. You will recognize your guide from the name badge around their neck
- Please arrive at least five minutes early
- Please dress for the Edinburgh weather, which can be very irregular
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 95 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
95 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh Private Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Deep dive into Edinburgh history
The tour was heavy on history and Kieran was super knowledgeable and great at explaining it all. Not as much walking as one might expect of a walking tour!
Response from the operator: Dear Jill, Thank you for your review! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the historical side of the tour and that you found Kieran to be super knowledgeable. He has a real passion for Edinburgh's history, and we're delighted he was able to bring it to life for you while delivering the tour as outlined in the itinerary you booked. Our historical walking tours typically cover around 2–3 km. Edinburgh is a city with fascinating stories every few paces, so we like to take the time to share those stories and help our guests gain a deeper understanding of our incredible history, rather than simply covering as much ground as possible. We're also always happy to customise our tours to suit individual preferences. After your booking, we reached out to see if there was anything we could do to tailor the experience for you, but unfortunately we didn't receive a reply, so we delivered our standard tour. Had we known you were hoping for a longer walk, we would have been more than happy to adapt the route to include more walking. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh for another adventure in the future!
via Viator
Edinburgh historic tour
We toured Edinburgh with Adrian the evening we arrived. He was fun to talk to and full of interesting facts about Edinburgh and its history. The tour was a great way to get our bearings in a new city and to hit the very busy highlights of Edinburgh without feeling overwhelmed. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Dear Dipa, We are glad you enjoyed your tour with Adrian so much. He is a great guide that can really bribg Edinburgh to life and we glad you got to learn about our great city as you got your bearings. We hope you can come tour with us again. Will
via Viator
Royal Mile Walking Tour
Keiren was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of Edinburgh. Great tour.
Response from the operator: Dear John, Many thanks for the review. We are glad you enjoyed the tour so much with Kieran, he is a great guide and everyone loves his tours.
via Viator
Wonderful for families!
Kieran was THE BEST tour guide for our private Edinburgh walking tour. Our family of 8 from ages 4 - 72 was engaged the whole time. He was funny, informative, and caring! We wish we would have booked a longer tour because it was so great!
Response from the operator: Dear Carey_R, Thanl you for taking the time to write a review for your tour with Kieran. Kieran is amazing with people of all ages and he can engage everyone seemlessly. If you come bavk again we would love to have you with Kieran for longer. Kind regards from Edinburgh, Will
via Viator
We had an exceptional...
We had an exceptional experience with David! He worked to ensure the tour was targeted to the things we wanted to see and spent ample time at each stop explaining the history and significance with our two teenage boys. I would highly recommend a tour!
Response from the operator: Dear Benjamin, Many thanks for taking the time to write a review of your tour with David. He is a very talented guide who can easily include everyone into a tour and helps everyone understand our great city. We hope you can come tour with us again some day. Will
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $20 to $85
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 33
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
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?
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Prices start at $20 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?
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Plan for about 2.5 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?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 95 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?
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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 Private Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh Private Walking Tour?
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Around 33 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh 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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