
Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 242 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! worth booking?
Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $85 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 242 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (242)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $85 per person
Welcome to Historic Edinburgh Tours! We will take you on a fascinating journey through the historic streets of the Old Town. You'll get to explore the very places where some of Scotland's most famous (and infamous) chara
What you get
- Local guide
About this experience
Welcome to Historic Edinburgh Tours! We will take you on a fascinating journey through the historic streets of the Old Town. You'll get to explore the very places where some of Scotland's most famous (and infamous) characters once walked and lived. From Mary, Queen of Scots to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Deacon Brodie and more, this is an unmissable opportunity to discover Edinburgh's rich history. Robert, your local guide, will come dressed in a kilt for your private tour. He will also carry a book of archive images. Robert will show you the city's iconic landmarks while sharing fascinating insights into its past. With our archive images, you'll be able to see how Edinburgh has changed over the years - and even compare it to its present-day counterpart. This is an experience not to be missed for history buffs and tourists alike!
What's included
Included
- Local guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Greyfriars
Your tour starts just inside the main gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. You'll find out about Edinburgh's famous 'wee dug'; Greyfriars Bobby. There are a number of versions of his story. We'll let you make your own mind up!
15 minutes here
Grassmarket
Candlemaker Row and the Grassmarket will be next on your route. You'll find out about one of Scotland's most significant weddings and how it affected Edinburgh. You'll follow the route of the pre-wedding party.
25 minutes here
Royal Mile
Your tour will take in a number of locations along Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. We'll see where Mary, Queen of Scots spent part of her childhood, we'll visit a charming little courtyard (with a royal link) and we'll discover the very strange story of Deacon William Brodie and his hanging. We get to cover a brief history of St Giles before visiting the site of the old Mercat Cross. You'll learn about the significance of this location in the story of Prince Charles Edward Stewart ('Bonnie Prince Charlie') before we visit an atmospheric Old Town close. The stories here will be rather memorable...
40 minutes here
The Cowgate is often ignored by other tours, but we'll make the most of it when we discover what life was like for Edinburgh's Victorian poor.
10 minutes here
University of Edinburgh
We'll visit two stops which belong to the famous University of Edinburgh. Burke and Hare, the infamous Irish murderers, came to where we make our penultimate stop. You'll find out how this pair worked, why they were able to murder so many people...and finally what happened to them. We may even look at the 'traditional' Highland outfit your guide will be wearing. Your final stop takes place near to Old College (or, if it's open to us, inside Old College). This is possibly one of the most fascinating places on our tour. It looks incredible now...but the story we share is even more explosive. Literally!
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Just inside the main entrance, next to the grave of Greyfriars Bobby (the pink headstone which you see as soon as you enter the Kirkyard). Greyfriars Kirkyard, Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QQ
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We usually end this tour on South Bridge, ten minutes from our starting point at Greyfriars.
Options you can book
Private Tour for 6-10 people
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 1 person
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 2 people
Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour for 3-5 people
Duration: 2 hours
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
- Historic Edinburgh 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
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






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
- Price range
- $85 to $160
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 85
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! cost?
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Prices start at $85 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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! 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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 242 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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!?
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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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! 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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!?
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Around 85 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 Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! 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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