Private Greyfriars Kirkyard tour: Scottish history stories

Stand where Edinburgh's most compelling figures are buried and hear their stories

A private walking tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh with a local guide, where you learn the history of the people buried in the ground beneath you: Covenanters, grave robbers, a famous terrier and others whose lives shaped Scottish history. The tour stays entirely within the burial ground and runs 90 minutes. You choose the group size (1 to 10 people) at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Greyfriars Kirkyard history

• Meet at Greyfriars Kirkyard entrance
• Learn about Scottish historical figures
• Hear stories of Covenanters and artists
• Discover tales of Burke and Hare
• Learn about Greyfriars Bobby the Skye Terrier
• Tour within the historic burial ground

The experience

The entire tour happens inside Greyfriars Kirkyard itself, the historic burial ground where the guide walks you through the graves and tells you who lies there and why they matter. You'll stand inches from the burial sites of martyred Covenanters, the infamous murderers Burke and Hare, a tortured spy, an amusing artist and Greyfriars Bobby, the devoted Skye Terrier whose loyalty became legend. These aren't generic facts read from a plaque: the guide shares the stories that made these people central to Edinburgh and Scottish history, not just local footnotes.

The uneven surfaces of the kirkyard mean the walk moves at a steady pace without rushing, and the guide can adjust the route for wheelchair users if needed. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome. The tour lasts 90 minutes and covers the burial ground only. The Kirk building itself stands nearby and is worth a separate visit, but this tour keeps the focus on the graves and the people beneath them.

You book as a private group. Choose whether you're coming alone, with one other person, with a small party of three to five, or with a larger group up to ten. The guide is local and speaks English, and the whole experience is built around the stories rather than a rushed checklist of names and dates.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• 90-minute walking tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard.
• access to the burial ground and the stories of the people buried there.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour for 2 people, privateUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 10:00 and 14:00

Private tour for groups of 3 to 5Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 10:00 and 14:00

Private tour for 6 to 10 peopleUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English · Available from 15 Dec · 10:00 and 14:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and SundayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Historic Edinburgh Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move at your own pace through the kirkyard and hear the stories of the people buried there without a large group around you. The private format means the guide can adjust the route and the depth of each story to what interests your group, and you control when to linger at a grave or move on.

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Top questions

What stories does the guide tell on the Greyfriars Kirkyard tour?

The guide shares the histories of the people buried in the kirkyard, including martyred Covenanters who died for their faith, Burke and Hare the infamous murderers, a tortured spy, a notable artist, and Greyfriars Bobby the famous terrier. Each story connects these individuals to the larger history of Edinburgh and Scotland.

Does the tour go inside Greyfriars Kirk itself?

The tour takes place entirely within the burial ground outside the Kirk. The guide does not enter the building, though you're welcome to visit the Kirk separately during your time in Edinburgh. It's a worthwhile stop on its own.

How long is the Greyfriars Kirkyard tour?

The tour runs 90 minutes and covers the burial ground at a steady walking pace. The route can be adjusted for wheelchair users, and the uneven surfaces of the kirkyard are navigable for most fitness levels.

Can I bring children or a stroller on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Service animals are also allowed.

What group sizes are available for the private tour?

You choose your group size when you book: 1 person, 2 people, 3 to 5 people, or 6 to 10 people. Each option is a private tour with its own local guide.