
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 522 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour worth booking?
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $34 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 522 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (522)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $34 per person
Join the intrepid duo, Clart (as in muck!) and our clean-hankied intellectual Mcbrain, who will lead you on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Town. A Hilarious duel of wits across three hundred years of great writing and colourful characters. The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour incorporates a dramatic script performed by two professional actors, not tour guides reading from books. The tour reaches beyond the well-known figures of Burns, Scott and Stevenson and includes some of the most colourful, literary characters who have added humour and wit throughout the ages to the unique tavern life of The Old and The New Town. This award winning Tour was the first literary tour launched in Edinburgh in 1996! It has since carried more than 500,000 satisfied customers on a dramatic literary trail across Edinburgh. It's regarded by many as a pioneer, and a "Must-see" cultural attraction in guide books throughout the world.
What you get
About this experience
Join the intrepid duo, Clart (as in muck!) and our clean-hankied intellectual Mcbrain, who will lead you on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Town. A Hilarious duel of wits across three hundred years of great writing and colourful characters. The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour incorporates a dramatic script performed by two professional actors, not tour guides reading from books. The tour reaches beyond the well-known figures of Burns, Scott and Stevenson and includes some of the most colourful, literary characters who have added humour and wit throughout the ages to the unique tavern life of The Old and The New Town. This award winning Tour was the first literary tour launched in Edinburgh in 1996! It has since carried more than 500,000 satisfied customers on a dramatic literary trail across Edinburgh. It's regarded by many as a pioneer, and a "Must-see" cultural attraction in guide books throughout the world.
What's included
Included
- By professional actors
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Edinburgh Old Town
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour is is a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and new Town.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Look out for our Ticketing person wearing bright vest. The tour starts up the stairs at The Beehive on the top floor. Feel free to purchase a drink at the bar beforehand and bring it upstairs with you to enjoy the first scene!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The end point of the tour varies depending on group size and weather etc but generally we aim to finish up in The West-End in "The New Town". Please drop us an email if you need to know in advance or speak with our actors on the night.
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
- Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
Know before you go
- 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 522 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
522 verified traveler reviews for The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Join the festive fun!!
Paul and Blair were absolutely brilliant! They made Scottish history come alive!! They were entertaining as well as illuminating!! Absolutely five 🌟!!
via Tripadvisor
Enthralling!
Emma and Dougal were amazing as Clart and McBrain! They timed everything excellently! Extremely knowledgeable, and hilarious guides making the tour highly enjoyable and entertaining. Also their portrayal of the rediscovery of a Scottish literary identity was so immersive! A must see for anyone visiting Edinburgh!
via Tripadvisor
Very interesting and emmersive
Thank you Emma and Dougal! We are big literary fans and had a very interesting and immersive experience at Edinburgh literary pub tour. Would definitely recommend to all our friends.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour guides
Emma and Dougal were knowledgeable, entertaining, funny guides and made the tour highly enjoyable and entertaining. What a great evening!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect way to end my stay
Perfect way to end my stay in Edinburgh! Dougal and Dave were very welcoming and knowledgeable, and gave passionate performances. The portrayal of the rediscovery of a Scottish literary identity was immersive and inspiring!
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
- Fri, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 183
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour cost?
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Prices start at $34 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 522 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour?
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Around 183 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub 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 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour?
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Included: By professional actors. Not included: Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour?
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Look out for our Ticketing person wearing bright vest. The tour starts up the stairs at The Beehive on the top floor. Fe. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour?
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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.
What happens to The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour 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 The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour?
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Across 522 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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