Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 1,642 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour worth booking?
Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour is a 3-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $26 per person. It scores 86 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,642 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 86 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,642)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $26 per person
This tour is led by Edinburgh Guided Tour — a small team of exceptional Guides, including PHD Historians, a Professor, and a Museum Manager. Each guide handpicked for their intelligence and warmth. Their passion for Edin
What you get
- Time for questions and conversation throughout the tour
- Expert historian or specialist local guide
- Small-group walking tour, maximum 12 travellers
About this experience
This tour is led by Edinburgh Guided Tour — a small team of exceptional Guides, including PHD Historians, a Professor, and a Museum Manager. Each guide handpicked for their intelligence and warmth. Their passion for Edinburgh shines through in every story they tell, from royal scandal to Enlightenment genius, from Harry Potter to historical rogues. We keep our group size small — never more than 12 guests — so every participant enjoys a personal experience. No straining to hear in a crowd of 30! Our guests consistently give us amazing reviews. These are not your average guides. They will Make History Come Alive. • Guided Walking Tour of the Royal Mile and surrounds • See the secret closes and wynds and all of the major sites • Learn of the famous writers, poets, and economists who have made Edinburgh their home • Visit famous landmarks such as St Giles Cathedral, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars’ Kirkyard • Take the opportunity to capture some amazing photographic opportunities
What's included
Included
- Time for questions and conversation throughout the tour
- Expert historian or specialist local guide
- Small-group walking tour, maximum 12 travellers
Not included
- Entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, or any paid attractions (paid on site)
- Food and drink
- Hotel pick-up or drop-off
- Gratuities/tips, optional
What you'll see and do
Usher Hall
View this Baroque "Beaux Arts" masterpiece in the Heart of Edinburgh, the Usher Hall. Donated to the people and the City of Edinburgh by Stuart Usher's great great uncle, Andrew Usher.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Edinburgh Castle
Behold and view (from the outside) the towering, majestic pile of Edinburgh Castle from various vantage points. Learn all about its history (good, bad and downright ugly), the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Stuart dynasty, the Union of the Crowns and much more!
35 minutes here · Admission not included
Grassmarket
Enter and visit this centuries-old area that served as the Medieval Marketplace of the City. Also see George Heriot School (the inspiration behind Hogwarts!).
15 minutes here
Milne’s Court
Come and visit this fascinating court where you can see and hear how people lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.
10 minutes here
Jolly Judge
See classic examples of Edinburgh's Old Town tenement buildings in James Court. Also see the quirky and charismatic Jolly Judge pub.
10 minutes here
Writers' Museum
This museum showcases the best of Scotland's literary heroes, past and present. Guests can visit inside should they wish.
20 minutes here
Riddle's Court
See the exterior of the home of the philosopher David Hume, the 'Father of the Scottish Enlightenment' as well as other Scottish notables.
10 minutes here
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
Learn about the life of the blackguard, Deacon Brodie, the real-life character behind 'Jekyll and Hyde'.
20 minutes here
St Giles' Cathedral
View this magnificent cathedral from the outside and learn about its pivotal history during the middle ages and reformation periods.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Edinburgh City Chambers
See the highlights of this busy heart of the Royal Mile which includes the City Chambers, Mercat Cross and other sites of interest.
10 minutes here
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Cross one of the first bridges to connect the Old & New Towns of Edinburgh, leading to Princes Street Gardens.
10 minutes here
Scott Monument
See this towering landmark which delineates the separation of the Old and New Towns (both of which are Unesco world heritage sites).
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Your guide will meet you outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall on Lothian Road. There are three entrances; please wait by the middle/central entrance and arrive 5 minutes before the tour starts.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends by the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Options you can book
Evening Tours
Duration: 2 hours Evening Departure summer only: A guided walk of up to 2 hours (subject to your requirements) around the centre of Edinburgh with Stuart or Richard Usher. Start time 6pm
Daytime tours
Morning Departure: A guided walk of up to 3 hours (subject to your requirements) around the centre of Edinburgh with one of our guides.
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 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Edinburgh Guided Tour
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
- Children under 12 are free
- Children 12-16 pay 75%
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,643 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
1,643 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great walking tour!
Excellent tour guide ! Entertaining and educational!. Mature gentleman kept pase with the group. Very credible!
Response from the operator: Dear Robert Thank you so much for your 5 Star Review of your Tour with me! Delighted that you found the Tour entertaining and educational. One should learn at least one new thing every day! Best wishes Stuart U
via Viator
Great walking tour
Our guide Alison was superb and delivered exactly what a condensed history should include.. Her eloquent style and vast knowledge of history was perfectly incorporated with the architecture was fabulous Highly recommended
Response from the operator: Dear Michael. Great thanks for your fabulous Review of your Tour with our superb Guide, Dr Alison Duncan! Delighted that you found her to be so eloquent and just everything any tourist would want in a guide. Many thanks for yur recommending us so graciously. Best wishes Stuart U.
via Viator
Dr. Alison Duncan
Dr. Alison was incredibly knowledgeable and fun to be with. She is a true professional. We had a blast!!
Response from the operator: Dear Michael Many thanks indeed for your great 5 Star Review of your Tour with our great and fun Guide, Alison! Delighted that you enjoyed the Tour so much. Best wishes Stuart Usher.
via Viator
Our guide Stewart Usher...
Our guide Stewart Usher shared his local well informed knowledge of the area and history. Don’t be in a hurry or you will miss special places and stops. Enjoyed every moment.
Response from the operator: Dear Debbie Thank you so much for your super 5 Star Review of your Tour with me! Very much appreciated. Delighted that you enjoyed every moment of the Tour and would love to see you in town again some sunny day. Best wishes Stuart Usher.
via Viator
A fantastic tour!
My wife and I did this tour with Allison, a historian. We had Allison all to ourselves as a couple of others had cancelled. Allison was PHENOMENAL! She was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and went out of her way to ensure that we had a wonderful time. Do this tour with Allison - she is one of the best guides we have ever had!
Response from the operator: Dear Dhines Many thanks for your superlative Review of your Tour with our phenomenal Guide, Dr Alison Duncan! It was a stroke of luck for you that the other couple booked for the Tour had cancelled so you ended up with Private Tour, with Alison all to yourselves. Delighted that you enjoyed the Tour with her so much. She is indeed a most outstanding all round Guide. She will be delighted to learn that you regarded her as one of the best Guides you had ever had! Best wishes Stuart Usher.
via Viator
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
- Price range
- $26 to $35
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 575
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 86
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $26 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 Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour take?
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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 Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 86 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,642 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group 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 Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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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 Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour?
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Around 575 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group 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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