Private Walking Tours of Edinburgh

Have Our Guide All To Yourselves On An Unforgettable Walk Around Edinburgh


Enjoy a more intimate and personalised journey through Scotland's Capital

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Quick Details

Duration: Half-Day (3½-hours) or Full-Day (7-hours)
Schedule: 9.30am and 2.00pm daily
What to expect: A wonderful walking tour with an Expert History Guide. Walk at your own pace and the tour can be designed to suit your particular preferences
Starting point: The Usher Hall, Edinburgh EH1 2EA or you can be met at your central hotel
Distance: Can be adapted to what suits you…it is your tour and you are the boss
Accessibility: Our Guide will choose a route to suit the guests, whether walking or e.g. in a wheelchair
Prices: Half-Day Tour (3½ hours) £235 to cover your whole group. Full-Day Tour (7 hours) £410 to cover your whole group. That price covers you for a party of up to 12 guests. If you have more than 12 guests, please speak to us for a quote (+44 7927 904695)
Book direct through this website for the lowest price available on the web
Rest-breaks: Your guide will stop whenever you wish for refreshments etc.
Free Cancellation 24 Hours in Advance
See what Edinburgh is really like – Past and Present
Step Into History with an Expert Guide
~ WARNING ~ : This tour is very popular. Book early to avoid disappointment
Half Day (3.5 Hours)
£235
Full Day (7 hours)
£410


Check Calendar below for Availability

Overview

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Private Guided Walking Tour of Edinburgh

Discover the magic of Edinburgh with our exclusive Private Guided Walks, tailored entirely to you. With your very own expert guide—passionate historians who bring the city’s rich past to life—you’ll enjoy a truly personalised experience. Whether you’re captivated by the royal splendour of the Old Town, the charm of the New Town, or hidden corners that only locals know, your tour can even be designed to suit your interests. Wander at your own pace, pause to soak in the breathtaking views, and stop for a refreshment whenever the mood strikes. You can see even more on our Full-Day Private Tour which is also bookable on this page.

This isn’t just a walk; it’s a five-star journey through history, culture, and the beauty of Scotland’s capital—all with the undivided attention of your guide. You deserve to experience Edinburgh this way. So why not let us make your visit unforgettable?

Btw, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace visits can be arranged (Tickets extra). Just ask on your booking form comments box.


Highlights

  • Walk the historic Old Town and Royal Mile with our expert historian guides.
  • You can also see the New Town’s Georgian delights (on the Full-day tour)
  • Discover the lives and legacies of Edinburgh’s renowned writers, poets, and inventors.
  • Delve into the secret closes and wynds.
  • Explore amazing landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Edinburgh Writers’ Museum.
  • See sites associated with Edinburgh's most famous characters from David Hume to the author of Harry Potter
  • If you ask, tickets can be arranged to enter Edinburgh Castle and/or Holyrood Palace with your guide (tickets extra)
  • Stop for refreshments (or lunch) whenever you wish
  • Enjoy opportunities to photograph Edinburgh’s fabulous charm and hidden treasures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start: Our normal starting point is the Usher Hall in Lothian Road but our Guide can meet you at your hotel if it is central. Please ask for that in the comments box on your booking form.

End: Typically near the Scott Monument in Princes Street  EH2 2EJ but it at can be at any central location you choose.

Our half-day (3.5-hour) tour normally starts at 9.30am or 2.00pm and it ends at 1.00pm or 5.30pm. Our Full-day (7-hour) Private Tour starts at 9.30am and ends at 4.30pm. But we can be flexible on any of those times. Please write to us first, on our contact form, to enquire.

That can certainly be arranged. Please ask for that in the comments box on your booking form and we will then get tickets and arrange with you to make payment. Castle tickets cost £23 per head and Palace tickets £24 per head (with some concessions for families). It is not really feasible to visit both attractions on a Half-day Private Tour but it is certainly possible on a Full-day Private Tour.

If you cancel more than 24 hours before the tour, you will get a full refund. No questions asked!

Our typical Half-day Private Walking Tour can cover around [3-4 km/2-2.5 miles], with occasional uphill paths and cobblestones, so wear comfortable footwear. But it really is up to you how much ground you wish to cover.

Absolutely. Your Guide can choose suitable terrain and will try to keep the little ones involved and entertained.

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (Edinburgh weather can be unpredictable!)
  • An umbrella, just in case
  • Your camera…there are some great photo-opportunities

On the Private Tour you can choose to stop whenever and wherever you wish. Our Guide will normally stop with you at a café for mid-morning refreshments. And on the Full-day Private Tour we can also book lunch for you at a convenient restaurant. (costs of cafes/restaurants are not included).

Our Private Tours are for 1 to 12 guests. If you have a larger party, please write to us, using the contact form, and we will get back to you with a quotation.

On your Private Tour, your guide will choose a terrain and a pace of walking that is entirely suitable for you.

Not at all. Please write in the comments box on the booking form or write to us on our contact form and we will try to adapt the tour to whatever most interests you.

The itinerary below is a sample itinerary. It can be adapted to suit your particular interests if you wish. Just ask.

  1. Usher Hall
  2. Castle Terrace
  3. Grannies Green
  4. Grassmarket
  5. Covenanters’ Memorial
  6. Greyfriars Kirkyard
  7. George Heriot’s
  8. Greyfriars Bobby
  9. National Museum of Scotland
  10. Victoria Terrace/Victoria Street
  11. Tolbooth Kirk
  12. New College, University of Edinburgh


  1. Writers’ Museum – Castle Rock Cafe
  2. Lawnmarket
  3. St. Giles’ Cathedral – Mercat Cross
  4. Edinburgh City Chambers
  5. John Knox House
  6. Canongate
  7. The People's Story
  8. Huntly House/Museum of Edinburgh
  9. Palace of Holyroodhouse (possible on Full-Day Tour)
  10. St Andrew's House and the Scottish Parliament (possible on Full-Day Tour)
  11. Calton Hill (possible on Full-Day Tour)

"A fantastic experience with Dr Alison Duncan as our guide. Her historical knowledge was incredible and truly made the tour. She let us go at our own pace, was engaging with every story and anecdote, and the 3.5 hours flew by! She personalised the tour and very much tailored her commentary and what we saw to our interests. Every member of the family, including our two teens, said it was the highlight of our time in Edinburgh. Highly highly recommended."

Nicole Landy, TripAdvisor/Viator December 2024


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Private Tour Reviews

Our Walking Tours in Edinburgh were Rated "Excellent" by 94% of our Guests!