Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour: Royal Mile & medieval history

Medieval closes and body snatchers: the dark stories beneath Edinburgh's cobblestones

A 2-hour walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town with a local guide covers the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, St Giles' Cathedral and the graveyard that inspired Mary Shelley and J.K. Rowling. Small groups hear how major events shaped the city over 2000 years, including the gruesome medieval history of the closes and the connections to hangings and body snatchers. Children from age 12 are welcome; the Old Town is hilly with cobblestones.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Edinburgh Old Town history

• Start tour in Old Town
• Learn gruesome medieval history
• Walk through Old Town quarter
• Explore St Giles' Cathedral architecture
• Visit Edinburgh’s farmers’ market
• Explore famous graveyard
• Traverse Royal Mile historic thoroughfare

The Experience

The tour starts in the bowels of the Old Town, where your guide walks you through the medieval closes—the narrow alleyways where Edinburgh's grittiest history unfolded. You'll hear about the body snatchers, the hangings at Grassmarket, and the events that carved the city's character into its streets. The guide is a local who knows which buildings date back to the 1400s and why they still stand.

From there you traverse the Royal Mile, the historic thoroughfare that runs the length of the Old Town, stopping to examine the architecture and the people who made it matter. You'll see St Giles' Cathedral and walk around its exterior, learning how the building itself tells the story of Edinburgh's religious and political shifts. The Grassmarket comes next—the traditional farmers' market that was also the site of public executions, and home to some of the oldest pubs in the city. It's also where you get the best view of the Castle.

The tour ends at Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard that inspired Mary Shelley and J.K. Rowling and where a loyal dog's story became legend. The whole walk takes 2 hours and stays in the Old Town itself, so you're not covering ground—you're going deep into one quarter. The guide speaks English only.

What’s included

Expert local guide in English; access to Edinburgh Old Town, the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Local Eyes Tours

Is this one for you?The tour walks at a steady pace through hilly, cobbled streets for 2 hours, so it suits travelers who are comfortable on their feet and want the real history of the Old Town rather than a surface overview. If you prefer to sit while you learn or need level ground, a bus tour would work better.

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Top questions

What is the Royal Mile and why does the tour spend time there?

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh's most historic thoroughfare, running through the heart of the Old Town with buildings dating back to the 1400s. The tour traverses it to show the major events that shaped the city's development and the architecture that survived them.

Can I bring children on this walking tour?

Children from age 12 are welcome on the tour. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, though the Old Town is hilly with cobblestones, so pushing a stroller requires some effort.

What is Grassmarket and what happened there?

Grassmarket is Edinburgh's traditional farmers' market and home to some of the oldest pubs in the city. It was also the site of public executions and has connections to the body snatchers—a dark chapter the guide explains in detail. It also offers the best view of Edinburgh Castle.

How long is the tour and what does it cover?

The tour is 2 hours and covers Edinburgh Old Town, including the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard. You'll learn about 2000 years of history, from medieval times through the famous and infamous characters who shaped the city.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and strollers can be used, but the Old Town is hilly with cobblestones, which can be challenging. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the terrain and walking involved.

Who is the guide and what language is the tour in?

An expert local guide leads the tour in English only. The guide is someone who knows Edinburgh's history deeply and can answer questions about the major events and characters behind the city's development.