
Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk worth booking?
Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $25 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Explore the historic charm of Edinburgh's Old Town on a captivating walking tour. This immersive experience takes you through the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, revealing the city's hidden gems and stories of remarkable characters from its past. Discover Scottish literary history in Lady Stairs Close, marvel at the iconic Edinburgh skyline, and ascend the steepest street to Edinburgh Castle for a deep dive into its rich history. Enjoy intriguing tales in Victoria Street, a favorite for Harry Potter enthusiasts, before ending in the historic Grassmarket, known for its dark yet fascinating past. Join this engaging journey through Edinburgh's vibrant heritage. - Walk through the Royal Mile and uncover hidden details and stories - Visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy stunning views over the city - Explore Victoria Street with insights into its Harry Potter connections - Learn about the Grassmarket's intriguing history of executions and more
What you get
About this experience
Explore the historic charm of Edinburgh's Old Town on a captivating walking tour. This immersive experience takes you through the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, revealing the city's hidden gems and stories of remarkable characters from its past. Discover Scottish literary history in Lady Stairs Close, marvel at the iconic Edinburgh skyline, and ascend the steepest street to Edinburgh Castle for a deep dive into its rich history. Enjoy intriguing tales in Victoria Street, a favorite for Harry Potter enthusiasts, before ending in the historic Grassmarket, known for its dark yet fascinating past. Join this engaging journey through Edinburgh's vibrant heritage. - Walk through the Royal Mile and uncover hidden details and stories - Visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy stunning views over the city - Explore Victoria Street with insights into its Harry Potter connections - Learn about the Grassmarket's intriguing history of executions and more
What's included
Included
- A wonderful Walking Tour
Not included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
St Giles' Cathedral
You will enjoy stories about the history and people of this historic building! This will be an external view of the building.
15 minutes here
Parliament Square- Edinburgh
You will enjoy stories about the history and people of this historic building!
5 minutes here
Lady Stair's Close- Edinburgh
You will enjoy stories about the history and people of this historic building!
10 minutes here
The Royal Mile
You will enjoy stories about the history of this street
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh Castle
You will enjoy stories about the history and people of this incredible Castle! This will be an external view of the Castle.
25 minutes here
Victoria Street
You will enjoy stories about Harry Potter and inspiration that JK Rowling took from this street!
10 minutes here
Grassmarket
You will enjoy stories about the history and people of this historic area.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Look out for your guide wearing the bright orange jacket!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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
- Scotland's Guided 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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
wonderful time on the royal mile with owen
our guide owen was wonderful.He was flexible with our needs and kept us interested with his stories and history the entire tour.He was kind to pace his steps with ours(older couple) and was very kind in his attention to us .We would hire him again !
via Tripadvisor
A fantastic tour around Scotland
We had a great time on our walking tour with Owen! The viewpoints he took us to were amazing, and he shared so much interesting knowledge about Scotland’s history. The places we visited really made us feel like we were stepping back in time and experiencing history for ourselves. Owen is also a very friendly and easygoing person, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. We would definitely recommend taking a tour with Owen — it will be well worth it! 😊
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommended
My mother and I had a private tour with Owen and were absolutely thrilled! The tour was incredibly exciting and at the same time very entertaining. Owen has an excellent way of conveying historical information in an interesting and understandable way, while always incorporating a good dose of humor. The time really flew by. You can tell immediately that Owen does his work with passion and enjoys sharing his knowledge. We can only highly recommend the tour with Owen to anyone who is visiting Scotland and would like to learn more about its history. Thank you very much for this great and special tour! My mother and I had a private tour with Owen and absolutely loved it! The tour was incredibly interesting and entertaining at the same time. Owen has a wonderful way of explaining historical information in a way that is easy to understand, while adding just the right amount of humor. The time simply flew by. You can immediately tell that Owen is passionate about what he does and genuinely enjoys sharing his knowledge. We would highly recommend a tour with Owen to anyone visiting Scotland who wants to learn more about its fascinating history. Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable experience!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Best tour guide!
Owen opened ours eyes on so much of the history of Edinburgh. He gave us broad and in depth descriptions of historical markers. Owen has a great conversational approach that lends to ease and comfort with asking questions. His knowledge of history draws you in with dramatic details. The best part is that he gave us great ideas for future Scotland tours! We will continue to book with Owen on future trips.
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyable and interesting tour
Really good tour - informative and interesting. Owen was a great tour guide - friendly, encouraged questions and pointed out lots of things we would have missed otherwise! Recommend.
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
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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Around 3 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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Included: A wonderful Walking Tour. Not included: Snacks; Bottled water; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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Look out for your guide wearing the bright orange jacket! Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk 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’s Secrets and Old Town Walk?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, small groups. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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