
Guided 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
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 285 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour worth booking?
Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour is a 3.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $315 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 285 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (285)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $315 per person
This private guided walk with our unique guides (Stuart Usher or his son Richard, Professional Historians such as Dr Alison Duncan or David Forsyth, other prominent guides such as Prof. John Frank), will both entertain a
What you get
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off if requested
About this experience
This private guided walk with our unique guides (Stuart Usher or his son Richard, Professional Historians such as Dr Alison Duncan or David Forsyth, other prominent guides such as Prof. John Frank), will both entertain and enthral your group. Your party (up to 12 people) will be the only visitors on the walk. Stuart Usher's family have historic connections with Edinburgh (his great-great Uncle, Andrew Usher, donated the magnificent Usher Hall to the city, where the tour normally starts) and his deep knowledge of the city's cultural, historical and architectural aspects means he has a unique perspective. You can book a morning tour (9.30am to 1.00pm), an afternoon tour (2.00pm to 5.30pm) or our full-day tour (9.30am to 4.30pm) You can have flexibility on itinerary should you choose, e.g. if you have special interests in certain aspects of Edinburgh, and we can even arrange a starting point to suit you (e.g. your hotel) as long as it is in the city-centre.
What's included
Included
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off if requested
Not included
- Cost of food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Edinburgh Guided Tour
The starting point of the tour (if not your hotel) is the splendid Usher Hall, a wonderful Concert Hall gifted to the city by Stuart Usher's great-great-uncle. We do not normally go inside.
10 minutes here
Edinburgh Castle
Gusts will see the majestic Edinburgh Castle (exterior only) and your guide will talk you through its tumultuous history and the lives of the many Scottish Kings and Queens who lived there. If you wish to see inside the castle this can be arranged but there will be an extra charge (£19 per head) for admission.
15 minutes here
Edinburgh Old Town
Walk with our accredited guide throughout the many 'closes' and 'wynds' of Edinburgh's Old Town and see the buildings associated with many seminal moments in Scottish history.
150 minutes here
Royal Mile
Walk with our accredited guide throughout the many 'closes' and 'wynds' of Edinburgh's Royal Mile in the 'Old Town' and see the buildings associated with many seminal moments in Scottish history.
150 minutes here
St Giles' Cathedral
Guests can visit inside the cathedral which is the 'mother church' of Presbyterianism. Stunning architecture and amazing internal detail.
15 minutes here
New Town
On the full-day tour, see the splendid 18th-century architecture of this Unesco Designated World Heritage Site that boasts the largest continuous expanse of Georgian-era buildings in the world
45 minutes here
Palace of Holyroodhouse
On the full-day tour, guests will see and hear about this Palace which is the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. You would not normally go inside but this can be arranged (admission £17 per head).
60 minutes here · Admission not included
National Galleries Scotland: National
Normally visited if weather inclement but it is the client's choice whether or not to go in and see the splendid array of 'old masters'.
50 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Please meet your guide outside the central entrance of the Usher Hall.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 2 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Tour will normally end near the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens but we can vary that to end at e.g. guest's hotel
Options you can book
Private tour - mornings
a 3.5 hour private tour
Private tour - afternoons
A 3.5 hour private afternoon tour
Private tour - full day
A full day (7 hour) guided walking tour of Edinburgh.
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
- 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
- Wheelchair possible but there are hills and steps
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $315 to $495
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 100
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $315 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 Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 285 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 Guided 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 Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour?
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Around 100 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Guided 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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