Edinburgh Castle: Walking Tour & Tickets with Guide

Summary

Wander castle grounds hear legends old stones echoing stories

You’ll walk up from St. Giles along the Royal Mile with a local guide who brings Edinburgh Castle’s stories alive — from ancient chapels to massive cannons and even a dog cemetery. With your castle admission included, you’ll explore open-air grounds, take in city views, and maybe find yourself unexpectedly moved by old stones and quiet corners.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the wind — that sharp Scottish kind that wakes you up even if you’re still half-asleep from jet lag. We’d just left St. Giles and our guide, Isla, was already spinning tales about the Royal Mile, pointing out a tiny plaque I’d have missed on my own. There was this faint smell of roasted coffee drifting from somewhere (someone’s clever with their timing), mixing with the damp stone scent as we walked up toward the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. I remember Isla pausing to let us catch our breath — she grinned and said, “You’ll need it for the stories.” She wasn’t kidding.

Inside the castle grounds, everything felt bigger than I expected. The walls are rough under your hand, cold even though it wasn’t really winter yet. Isla showed us St. Margaret’s Chapel — tiniest chapel I’ve ever seen — and told us how it’s the oldest building in Edinburgh. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet for a second, like we all felt how long it had been standing there. Then someone asked about Mons Meg (the cannon), and Isla laughed, saying she wouldn’t want to be around when they fired it back in the day. The keyword “Edinburgh Castle guided tour” popped into my head because honestly, without her stories, these stones would just be… well, stones.

I didn’t expect to care so much about a dog cemetery but there it was — little headstones for soldiers’ dogs tucked away behind some railings. It made me smile for some reason; maybe because history usually skips over small things like that. We weren’t allowed inside most covered areas (Isla explained something about new rules), but I didn’t mind too much since we could still peek through doorways and windows at places like the Great Hall or where they keep the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels). The sky kept changing every five minutes — sun one second, drizzle the next — so yeah, bring a jacket even if you think you won’t need it.

I still think about that view from up top — rooftops stretching out to Arthur’s Seat in one direction and then all those narrow closes winding down below us. It’s not just a day trip to Edinburgh Castle from central Edinburgh; it’s more like stepping sideways into another time for a couple hours before heading back down to regular life. Funny how quickly you start feeling attached to places you barely knew existed an hour earlier.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Edinburgh Castle walking tour and history

• Walk from St. Giles to Castle Esplanade
• Introduction to Edinburgh and Castle history
• Tour Edinburgh Castle grounds
• See St. Margaret's Chapel and Mons Meg cannon
• Visit The Great Hall and Honours of Scotland
• View the dog cemetery

Top questions

Is entry to Edinburgh Castle included in this guided tour?

Yes, admission tickets to Edinburgh Castle are included in your tour.

Does the tour go inside all areas of Edinburgh Castle?

No, due to guidelines guides cannot enter enclosed spaces; the tour covers castle grounds only.

Where does the walking tour start?

The tour begins with a walk from St. Giles along the Royal Mile toward Edinburgh Castle's esplanade.

How long is the walk from St. Giles to Edinburgh Castle?

It's a brief walk along the Royal Mile leading up to the castle entrance.

Are there any unique highlights on this Edinburgh Castle guided tour?

You’ll see St. Margaret’s Chapel, Mons Meg cannon, The Great Hall (from outside), Honours of Scotland (crown jewels area), and a dog cemetery.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams or strollers as well.

Can I bring my service animal on this guided tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this walking tour of Edinburgh Castle grounds.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to both St. Giles and Edinburgh Castle.

What’s included

Your day includes admission tickets to Edinburgh Castle plus a walking tour led by a local guide starting near St. Giles Cathedral along the Royal Mile; you’ll explore historic castle grounds together before heading back into town at your own pace afterward.