Embark on an unforgettable journey through the history and legends of Edinburgh. This 2-hour long Free Tour in English is not only about architecture and cobbled streets, but also about the characters that left their mark, magical places and legends that stand the test of time.
Highlights
- Tour the Old Town and the exterior of Edinburgh Castle.
- Visit Greyfriars Cemetery and the grave of Scotland's best-loved dog
- Relive the public executions at Mercat Cross
- Hear the story of Mackenzie and playful ghosts
- See places that are part of the magical world of Harry Potter
Price
Itinerary
Our Edinburgh Free Tour starts in the Old Town, an area so ancient it predates Shakespeare’s plays and has witnessed more intrigue than a Renaissance drama. This is the place that’s inspired writers and poets for centuries, and you’ll soon see why.
We’ll start by exploring the streets that inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. Along the way, we might even have to dodge a few Death Eaters sent by Lord Voldemort!
From Edinburgh Castle to Victoria Street, you’ll quickly understand magic isn’t just in the books but it’s everywhere in this city.
Our next stop is Greyfriars Cemetery, where ghosts aren’t as solitary as you might think. Ever heard the spooky tale of George Mackenzie, or the heartwarming story of Bobby the dog? By the time you hear the full details, you’ll be scared and laughing at the same time!
From there, we’ll visit the stunning St. Giles’ Cathedral, one of the most iconic landmarks in Edinburgh, before making our way to hidden gems like the National Museum of Scotland and the Writers’ Museum, places you won’t always find in guidebooks or on Google Maps.
We’ll also wander through the haunts of David Hume, Scotland’s greatest philosopher, where we’ll try to figure out if his arguments were as sharp as his witty comments at the parlor.
Of course, the tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Mercat Cross, the site of public executions in centuries past. In Edinburgh, capital punishment was as much a public spectacle as today’s Netflix series, whether you liked it or not!
Finally, we’ll stop at the Heart of Midlothian, a site as symbolic as a Robert Burns poem recited by a tipsy parrot. If you don’t quite get the full significance of it, don’t worry, sign up for the Edinburgh Free Tour Essential for the full scoop!
What is a Free Tour?
A Free Tour is an activity you can participate in without having to pay a fixed fee upfront. However, at the end of the tour, you're expected to give the guide a tip that you think is fair and deserved.
You'll be in the company of expert guides who'll do their best to show you Edinburgh in a fun and interesting way. Feel free to ask them about recommendations when visiting Edinburgh.
Meeting Point
Included
- 2-hour guided tour of Edinburgh
- Professional English speaking guide
- Entrance to monuments
- Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
Warnings
The use of comfortable shoes and clothes is recommended since the entire tour is done on foot.
Additional Info
- Group bookings of more than 10 people are not accepted.
- If your group is more than 10 adults and you have made several separate reservations in different names, you will have to pay £10 per person. Otherwise, the guide may turn away attendees at the same meeting point.