Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour worth booking?
Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour is a 5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $271 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $271 per person
Step into the haunted heart of Edinburgh and hear ghost stories, royal tales, and literary legends at Greyfriars Kirkyard. 2H: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour (No Transport) Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh’s most haunted
What you get
About this experience
Step into the haunted heart of Edinburgh and hear ghost stories, royal tales, and literary legends at Greyfriars Kirkyard. 2H: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour (No Transport) Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh’s most haunted graveyard, and see landmarks like George Heriot’s School and the Grassmarket. Hear ghost stories, history, and legends. 3H: Greyfriars Kirkyard Tour & Transport Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and the historic Old Town with private round-trip transport. See sites linked to ghosts, royals and Harry Potter. A seamless, story-filled experience. 4H: Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Castle (No Transport) Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle for stories of Mary Queen of Scots, sieges, and royal treasures. See Old Town gems on your way. 5H: Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Castle & Transport Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle with round-trip private transport. Explore royal courtyards, ancient legends, and Old Town streets.
What's included
Included
- (number of attractions depends on the selected option)
- Private round-trip transport in a comfortable vehicle (in the 3-hour and 5-hour option)
- Entry to Greyfriars Kirkyard
- 5-Star Licensed Private Guide fluent in your chosen language
- Private tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle
- Skip-the-line tickets to Edinburgh Castle (in the 4-hour and 5-hour option)
Not included
- Skip-the-line tickets to Edinburgh Castle (in the 2-hour and 3-hour option)
- Private round-trip transport in a comfortable vehicle (in the 2-hour and 4-hour option)
What you'll see and do
Meet your guide in front of the Hotel du Vin Edinburgh; 11 Bristo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ, United Kingdom. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting poit and the staff is not informed about the tour.
10 minutes here
uncover the secrets of Greyfriars Kirkyard—one of the city’s most storied and atmospheric landmarks. Located beside the Old Town, this historic graveyard holds centuries of Scottish legends, from the tragic fate of the Covenanters imprisoned within its walls to ghost stories that have inspired countless tales. Follow your Private Licensed Guide along winding paths dotted with weathered tombs and learn about notable figures buried here, the haunting legacy of Bloody MacKenzie, and the moving story of Greyfriars Bobby—the loyal dog who stood watch at his master's grave for 14 years.
50 minutes here
George Heriot's School
You’ll also admire the striking exterior of George Heriot’s School, believed to have inspired Hogwarts, and pass through the nearby Grassmarket, rich in history and medieval charm.
60 minutes here
Your Licensed Guide will reveal captivating tales of ghostly hauntings, historic trials, and literary legends, making the city's history come alive.
60 minutes here
Edinburgh Castle
Enjoy a full walking experience with Skip-the-Line tickets to Edinburgh Castle. After exploring Greyfriars Kirkyard, follow your Private Guide up the Royal Mile to the castle, where you’ll bypass the queues to access its accessible grounds. Discover the site of royal births, sieges, and battles, and learn about the Stone of Destiny, the Crown Jewels, and the castle’s role in Scotland’s turbulent past—all from your expert guide.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Edinburgh Old Town
Begin with a guided walk through Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Old Town, then relax with a comfortable transfer to Edinburgh Castle. There, your guide will lead you through the accessible courtyards and strongholds, sharing the gripping stories behind this iconic fortress—from Mary Queen of Scots to the Jacobite Risings.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Meet your guide in front of the Hotel du Vin Edinburgh; 11 Bristo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ, United Kingdom. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting poit and the staff is not informed about the tour.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Meet your guide in front of the Hotel du Vin Edinburgh; 11 Bristo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ, United Kingdom. Please do not enter the hotel, it is only a meeting poit and the staff is not informed about the tour.
Options you can book
3H:GreyfriarsKirkyardTourEN,FR
Duration: 3 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and the historic Old Town with private round-trip transport. See sites linked to ghosts, royals and ,: Harry Potter. A seamless, story-filled experience. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
2H:GreyfriarsKirkyaSP,IT,GR,RU
Duration: 2 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh’s most haunted graveyard, and see landmarks like George Heriot’s School and ,: the Grassmarket. Hear ghost stories, history, and legends. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
4H:GreyfriarsKirkyaSP,IT,GR,RU
Duration: 4 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle for stories of Mary Queen of Scots, sieges, and ,: royal treasures. See Old Town gems on your way. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
3H:GreyfriarsKirkyaSP,IT,GR,RU
Duration: 3 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and the historic Old Town with private round-trip transport. See sites linked to ghosts, royals and ,: Harry Potter. A seamless, story-filled experience. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
5H:GreyfriarsKirkyard EN,FR
Duration: 5 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle with round-trip private transport. Explore royal courtyards, ,: ancient legends, and Old Town streets. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036 Pickup included
2H:GreyfriarsKirkyardTourEN,FR
Duration: 2 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh’s most haunted graveyard, and see landmarks like George Heriot’s School and ,: the Grassmarket. Hear ghost stories, history, and legends. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
5H:GreyfriarsKirkyaSP,IT,GR,RU
Duration: 5 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle with round-trip private transport. Explore royal courtyards, ,: ancient legends, and Old Town streets. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036 Pickup included
4H:GreyfriarsKirkyardEdinEN,FR
Duration: 4 hours: Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and Skip the Line to Edinburgh Castle for stories of Mary Queen of Scots, sieges, and ,: royal treasures. See Old Town gems on your way. Expert-Guide: Official 5-Stars Guide who is an Expert in this kind of tours. Guide speaks fluently in chosen language. UKED036
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- UK Tours & Activites
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please check your email the day before the tour for important details from Rosotravel, your tour operator.
- The itinerary depends on the selected option. The 2-hour & 4-hour option does not include transportation & the 2-hour and 3-hour does not include Edinburgh Castle.
- Skip-the-line tickets are valid for a specific date and time. You’ll bypass the ticket office but still go through standard entrance and security checks.
- Due to tourist regulations, the guide will lead the tour only in the castle’s outdoor courtyards. You're welcome to explore indoor areas on your own.
- This is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
- Transfers are by comfortable sedan for 1–4 people or a spacious van for 5 or more. For extra space, feel free to book the 5-person option.
- Have a special request or need accessibility support? Let us know in advance!
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Gavin was a fascinating...
Gavin was a fascinating speaker. We were well entertained throughout and learned much about Scottish history.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $271 to $762
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by UK Tours & Activites, who run 62 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.1.
See everything UK Tours & Activites runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $271 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 Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour take?
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Plan for about 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 Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided 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 Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided Tour?
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Around 0 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh Castle Private Guided 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: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William. 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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