
Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group worth booking?
Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $48 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (9)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $48 per person
Stroll through the famous Royal Mile hearing the history of the Edinburgh's Old Town. Discover the hidden stories from Auld Reekies past and discover hidden gems.
What you get
About this experience
Stroll through the famous Royal Mile hearing the history of the Edinburgh's Old Town. Discover the hidden stories from Auld Reekies past and discover hidden gems.
What's included
Included
- Guided Walking Tour
Not included
- Refreshments
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Kings official residence in Scotland
Pass by without stopping
White Horse Close
One of Edinburgh's hidden gems
Pass by without stopping
Canongate Kirk
Once a separate Burgh hear about the Church and Tolbooths history
Pass by without stopping
Bakehouse Close
Step back to the 1500's in Backhouse Close once home to a place of ill repute.
Pass by without stopping
Tweeddale Court
See parts of the Old City Wall and also an Outlander film location
Pass by without stopping
John Knox House Museum
Dating to the late 1400's this once Goldsmiths House has connetions to John Knox and Mary Queen of Scots
Pass by without stopping
St Giles' Cathedral
The area in front of the Cathedral is the Site of the infamous Edinburgh tolbooth.
Pass by without stopping
Mercat Cross
Place of Proclamations and punishments
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh City Chambers
The City Chambers is build on the site of several Closes (streets) with a long and interesting History.
Pass by without stopping
Riddle's Court
hidden gems dating to the 1580's
Pass by without stopping
Writers' Museum
Lady Stair's House dates to the 1620's.
Pass by without stopping
Gladstone's Land
One of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh's Old Town. Here about it's history.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Please meet your guide OUTSIDE the Abbey Strand Apartments at the corner of the building/junction on the wide pavement.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends outside Edinburgh Castle in Castlehill
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Edinburgh Tour Guides
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.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Walking Tour
Great walking tour. Unfortunately due to flight delays I missed the first half hour of the tour, and the tour guide was able to tell me via my friend on the tour a good place to meet up. It was very interesting and informative. The tour went from the Parliament/Palace of Hollyrood House all the way to the entrance to the castle. It was 2 hours and very good amount of time. We stopped in a lot of interesting "close" courtyards that I never would have gone in except for this walking tour. The group was small and intimate. Our tour guide was fun and knowledgable.
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
Sam was an engaging guide, very knowledgeable and funny. We had a great time on our tour and would highly recommend it at the beginning of your visit to Edinburgh.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed
The tour guide never showed up so we entertained ourselves instead.we did a selt tour of Holyrood...
via Viator
Great tour of the Royal Mile
My husband and I had a great tour with Sam. Our tour was supposed to be 4 people, but the other couple never showed, so we had a private tour. We walked the Royal Mile stopping in little hole in the wall (close’s) places along the way. We would haves definitely missed most of them. Sam’s descriptions and explanations were right on point. We would highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: It was lovely to meet you both. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointing tour
My husband and I signed up for the Royal Mile walking tour. It was a private tour. As we had already been on the Royal Mile the previous day on a different tour and were alone we hoped that our tour guide Sam Thomson would be flexible and cover information about Edinburgh culture or areas not covered on the prior tour; we were disappointed that she seemed annoyed with us and felt it was overall an uncomfortable experience.
Response from the operator: I agree it was an uncomfortable experience. It's had to give someone what they want when they don't know themselves. I asked what you wanted to do instead and all you gave me what talk about Edinburgh Culture, which I did. I asked you what you had already covered, you said you could not remember. All the way through I checked you were happy with what we were doing and you said yes? I see you reviewed the tour you did the day before. I'm glad you remembered which tour you did eventually and that you enjoyed that tour. It's just a shame you couldn't remember the details when we needed them.
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
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group cost?
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Prices start at $48 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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Included: Guided Walking Tour. Not included: Refreshments; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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Please meet your guide OUTSIDE the Abbey Strand Apartments at the corner of the building/junction on the wide pavement. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group 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 Royal Mile Walking Tour Small Group?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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