Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth booking?
Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour is a 1-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Tune into ancient and modern Scottish tales on one of Europe’s oldest streets with this affordable walking tour and the industry-leading VoiceMap mobile app. • See historical sights along all four sections of the Royal
What you get
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
About this experience
Tune into ancient and modern Scottish tales on one of Europe’s oldest streets with this affordable walking tour and the industry-leading VoiceMap mobile app. • See historical sights along all four sections of the Royal Mile and find out about the city’s stench in the 1500s, and how far it traveled • Hear from producer Martin Donnelly, a Senior Teaching Fellow and Edinburgh local • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it ️• Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
What's included
Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
What you'll see and do
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is one of Europe’s most ancient and famous streets. Along this 1 ¼ mile stretch – a Scot’s mile – crimes have been committed, royals have travelled, and famous folk like Rabbie Burns, Adam Smith and David Hume have met. On this walking tour, I’ll bring some of their stories to life.
Pass by without stopping
Witches well
Starting at the top of Castlehill next to the Witches Well, you’ll hear about Edinburgh Castle’s early days, when a series of infamous witch burnings took place here.
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh Castle
You’ll hear about Edinburgh Castle’s early days, when a series of infamous witch burnings took place here.
Pass by without stopping
Castlehill
Amble down all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate
Pass by without stopping
Amble down all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate
Pass by without stopping
Deacon Brodie's Tavern
I’ll show you the former residence of the gentleman robber, Deacon Brodie, the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
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This self-guided audio tour takes you past the Old Tolbooth Wynd. You'll hear its history while you walk.
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Heart of Midlothian
Stroll around St Giles Cathedral, home to the Old Tolbooth, the Heart of Midlothian mosaic, and a statue of Charles II
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St Giles' Cathedral
Stroll around St Giles Cathedral, home to the Old Tolbooth, the Heart of Midlothian mosaic, and a statue of Charles II
Pass by without stopping
Stroll around St Giles Cathedral, home to the Old Tolbooth, the Heart of Midlothian mosaic, and a statue of Charles II
Pass by without stopping
Hear about the priest that was pelted to death by an angry mob, and some of the other terrible deeds that took place in the shadows of the Mercat Cross
Pass by without stopping
Tron Kirk Market
This self-guided audio tour takes you past the Tron Kirk. You'll hear its history while you walk.
Pass by without stopping
Amble down all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate
Pass by without stopping
I’ll also share a few tales about the barbaric punishments meted out to criminals in the 1600s, and the heartwarming story of a young lad pulled from the rubble of the Paisley Close disaster.
Pass by without stopping
John Knox House Museum
You’ll hear about religious figures like John Knox, a leading figure in the Scottish Protestant Reformation, and royal tragedies like the execution of Mary Queen of Scots.
Pass by without stopping
The Netherbow
See Netherbow Port, once the main gate between Edinburgh and Canongate
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Canongate Kirk
This self-guided audio tour takes you past the Canongate Kirk. You'll hear its history while you walk.
Pass by without stopping
Amble down all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate
Pass by without stopping
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The tour ends at the end of Canongate in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Pass by without stopping
Old Town
Enjoy this entertaining and informative 45-minute stroll into the heart – and history – of the Old Town.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends in front of Holyroodhouse.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note: You won't be guided through any museums or other attractions mentioned en route. If you choose to enter and visit such places, you'll need to pay for it independently of this tour.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours, who run 703 experiences we rank across 222 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.8.
See everything VoiceMap Audio Tours runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio 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 Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour 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 Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio 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 1-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Around 1 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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio 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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