Secrets of the Royal Mile
Departing from Mercat Cross, this 2.5 hour walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. Your guide will take you to the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. You will learn about crime, culture, politics and everyday events. The tour ends in the Edinburgh’s Castle, where you will walk straight over the drawbridge, and straight past the ticket line to continue your history tour with a guided visit.
- Discover the secrets and stories of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
- Skip the line at Edinburgh Castle.
- Learn about royalty, writers, philosophers.
AVAILABILITY
Daily
DURATION
2.5 hours
START LOCATION
Mercat Cross, High Street
END LOCATION
Edinburgh Castle esplanade, Castlehill
TOUR LANGUAGE
English
Related places and things to do
City Tours
Edinburgh, Scotland
Walking Tours
Edinburgh, Scotland
City Tours
Scotland
Walking Tours
Scotland
Detailed Description
You will meet your guide at the Mercat Cross, High Street, and you will begin this 2.5 hour walking tour by going to places where history was made. The wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town are all part of the guided tour.
You will learn the stories of Edinburgh’s past and you will learn about characters like Mary Queen of Scots, David Hume, Adam Smith and Robert Burns. The stories go from crime and culture to politics and everyday events, expertly told by your Mercat guide.
The tour ends inside the Edinburgh’s Castle, where battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it. You’ll walk straight over the drawbridge, and straight past the ticket line to continue your history tour with a guided visit.
Note: If you have a Historic Scotland Explorer Pass, you’re very welcome to join us, including the guided tour of Edinburgh Castle.
Tour Tickets (may vary by date)
| Ticket | Price (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Adults (P/P) | 30.00 (GBP) |
| Seniors (65+) | 25.00 (GBP) |
| Students (w/ID) | 28.00 (GBP) |
| Children (5 to 15 years old) | 19.00 (GBP) |
Tour Documents
| Tour map | Download |
Tour Itinerary
10:00 AM
Departure option 1
1:00 PM
Departure option 2
3:00 PM
Departure option 3
Included
- Expert Mercat guide.
- Edinburgh’s Castle entrance fee.
Not Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off.
Recommended
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Do not bring luggage. Edinburgh Castle do not admit visitors with bags larger than a 25 litre capacity.
- You need to be over 5 years old to join our tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do I have to do a lot of walking on the tour?
No, the distances are not great. However, we would recommend you wear sensible shoes because the ground underfoot can be uneven and occasionally steep medieval Edinburgh wasn't built for comfort.
-
Will my tour run even if it is wet?
Hail, rain, wind or snow: your guide will always be there, at the Mercat Cross, to greet you. Your guide is very skilled at finding shelter from the elements but do dress for the cold (hat/gloves) especially in the evenings and in the winter months.
-
Do I have to book to go on the tour?
No, but we strongly recommend you do as the tours can sell out very quickly, especially at weekends, in high summer, and at New Year. Halloween is so busy you are unlikely to find a place on a tour unless you have booked in advance.
