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

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Royal Mile 30m
2. Greyfriars 20m
3. Grassmarket 15m
4. St Giles' Cathedral 15m
5. Edinburgh Old Town 2h
6. Princes Street and Gardens 20m

What’s included

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

Times

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• Saturday 10:00

Information

Walk Edinburgh's Old Town with an expert guide through 2 hours of the Royal Mile, Grassmarket and St Giles' Cathedral.

Group Up to 40

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts. See the exact address

Book up to the start time

Ages Adult (18 and older) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

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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.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

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.

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.

Operated by Local Eyes Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago