Private Walking Tours in Edinburgh
Delve into Edinburgh's rich heritage with our private walking tours.
Enjoy tailored routes, local guides, and exclusive city insights.
Join us for a private tour of Edinburgh, the most
fascinating city of Scotland!
We offer a range of private walking tours around Scotland’s capital, which are fully customisable and can be tailored to your interests.
Follow our Edinburgh experts
Our private walking tours of Edinburgh are perfect for first timers and returning visitors.
Whether you’d like to see Edinburgh’s main highlights, explore Edinburgh Castle, find out what life was like in a Georgian house, or avoid touristy spots by discovering Edinburgh’s hidden gems, we can organise the perfect route for you.
Edinburgh Old
Town private
walking tour
From
£280
Full-day private
walking tour in
Edinburgh
£450
Edinburgh Castle
private tour
£280
Edinburgh ghost
and witches private
walking tour
£280
Private Edinburgh
Family tour – with
activities
£280
Edinburgh
New Town and Dean Village private tour
£350
Edinburgh Old Town
private walking tour
This private Edinburgh walking tour is the perfect introduction to the city. As we explore its cobbled streets, narrow closes, and historic landmarks, you will discover how Edinburgh developed from a medieval town into the elegant capital we know today.
Diving into Edinburgh’s history
Walking through the Old Town, we will look at the key moments and characters that shaped the city’s past, including Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and John Knox. Along the way, we will see some of Edinburgh’s most important landmarks, such as the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and views of Edinburgh Castle, while also discussing daily life in old Edinburgh and traditions linked to Scottish culture.
Books, films and Edinburgh
This Edinburgh private tour also explores the city’s literary and cultural side. We will visit the streets and cafés linked to Harry Potter inspiration, mention film and TV locations including Outlander, and talk about the festivals that make Edinburgh one of the most exciting cultural cities in Europe.
Duration: 2 hours
It is possible to extend this tour to 3 or 4 hours.
Looking for a group option? Check our Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour with ticket included.
Full-day private walking tour
in Edinburgh
If you are short on time or only spending 1 day in Edinburgh, this tour is ideal for you. This full day private walking tour is a great way to discover the history, culture, and character of Scotland’s capital, from the medieval Old Town to the elegant Georgian New Town.
Morning programme
Our tour begins at Edinburgh Castle, the perfect introduction to the city and its medieval past. From here, we will explore the Old Town and walk down the Royal Mile, seeing landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross. We will continue through Victoria Street and the Grassmarket, and hear stories of ghosts, witches, and crime as we pass Greyfriars Kirkyard and some of Edinburgh’s historic closes.
Afternoon programme
After lunch, we will explore the New Town, an elegant area known for its Georgian architecture, spacious squares, and beautiful gardens. As we walk through this part of the city, we will talk about Edinburgh’s 18th century expansion and admire highlights such as Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument, Charlotte Square, and Dean Village, where the tour will end.
Duration: 6 hours
We would also be happy to arrange lunch for you and your guide. Get in touch to discuss the available options.
Edinburgh Castle
private tour
Discover Edinburgh Castle with Clan Pascual Tours! Learn about the history of the castle and hear about its bloody battles and legends
From the Royal Mile, we will make our way up Castle Rock, the extinct volcano on which Edinburgh Castle stands. From the Castle Esplanade, famous for hosting the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo every August, you will enjoy impressive views over the Old Town and New Town while we introduce the history of the fortress.
Guided visit inside Edinburgh Castle
Once inside, we will explore the main highlights of Edinburgh Castle, including St Margaret’s Chapel, the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, and the Crown Room. As we walk through the fortress, we will also discuss the battles, sieges, and royal stories that shaped the castle over the centuries, from Mary Queen of Scots to the Jacobite period. Along the way, we will see cannons, defensive walls, and the famous Mons Meg, and, depending on the time of your visit, we may also hear the One o’Clock Gun.
Duration: 2 hours
This private Edinburgh Castle tour includes admission tickets. The tour is fully customisable, so please get in touch if you would like to extend it with a visit to Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Edinburgh ghost and witches
private walking tour
Is Edinburgh haunted? Who were the resurrectionists? Why were witches persecuted? Find out about ghosts, witches, mysterious murders, and discover Edinburgh’s dark side with our private walking tour.
We will visit some of Edinburgh’s most haunted sites and hear the stories behind its most famous ghosts. In the Grassmarket, we will learn about Major Thomas Weir. In Greyfriars Kirkyard, we will see the mausoleum of George Mackenzie and talk about body snatchers and grave robbing. On the Royal Mile and near Edinburgh Castle, we will also point out places linked to former prisons, executions, and other dark episodes from the city’s past.
We will also explore the history of witchcraft in 16th and 17th century Scotland, looking at what people were accused of and why. Along the way, we will recall some of the most famous witch trials and stop at the Witches’ Well, a memorial to those who died during the persecutions. If included in the tour, we may also visit the National Museum of Scotland to see objects connected to witch hunting.
Walking through dark closes, graveyards, and historic streets, this tour offers a fascinating introduction to Edinburgh’s darker past and to the role that ghosts and witches have played in Scottish culture.
Duration: 3 hours
The tour can take place during the day or in the evening. If you would like to include the National Museum of Scotland, please note that the museum closes at 5 pm and admission is free.
Private Edinburgh Family tour
– with
activities
Designed to engage children and adults alike, this is an ideal tour for the whole family to enjoy!
This private family tour in Edinburgh is a fun and engaging way to discover the city’s history and main landmarks with children. As we explore the Old Town, we will hear stories about kings, queens, battles, writers, and the events that shaped the Scottish capital.
Designed for those looking for things to do in Edinburgh with kids, this Edinburgh family walking tour includes a travel booklet for children aged 4 to 12, filled with games, quizzes, and activities. Along the route, they will discover Greyfriars Bobby, Scottish legends, and the magical world of Harry Potter.
This is one of the best family friendly tours in Edinburgh, and it can be personalised to suit your family’s interests. We are also happy to share recommendations for other family activities in Edinburgh, places to eat, and ideas for your stay.
Duration: 2 hours
Edinburgh New Town and
Dean Village private tour
In this tour, we will explore Edinburgh’s New Town, built in the second half of the 18th century and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as ‘the Athens of the North’, the New Town features open spaces, large squares, and elegant buildings, which contrast with the medieval, dark, and crowded streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
This private **Edinburgh New Town and Dean Village tour** is a great way to discover a different side of the city, away from the medieval streets of the Old Town. As we walk through elegant squares, gardens, and historic streets, we will explore the architecture, characters, and ideas that shaped Edinburgh during the Georgian and Enlightenment periods.
The history of Edinburgh through its buildings and characters
We will admire some of the highlights of the New Town, including St Andrew Square, George Street, Charlotte Square, the Georgian House, the Dome, the Balmoral Hotel, the National Portrait Gallery, and Princes Street Gardens. Along the way, we will talk about Edinburgh’s neoclassical architecture and the thinkers, writers, and architects who helped define the city, such as David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Adam, and James Craig.
Dean Village
Our tour will end in Dean Village, one of the most picturesque and peaceful areas in Edinburgh. Walking along the Water of Leith, we will discover its old mills, stone houses, and hidden corners, while learning how this former industrial village became one of the city’s most charming neighbourhoods.
Duration: 2 hours
The tour is fully customisable.
The perfect walking tours for your family
If you are travelling with children and looking for things to do with kids in Edinburgh, look no further! Our Edinburgh Family Tour is designed to engage the whole family and provide everyone with a fun experience.
During our walking tours in Edinburgh, we will share with you tips and ideas for things to do in Edinburgh in your own time, so you can keep exploring the city after your guided tour.
From a 2-hour tour to a
half-day or full-day experience
Our Edinburgh private guided tours last 2 hours. They can, however, be extended to 3 or 4 hours if you wish to spend more time visiting Edinburgh with your tour guide and soaking up the atmosphere of the city.
Extending the tour will also give you the opportunity to add a visit to a historical site, such as the National Museum of Scotland or the Palace of Holyrood House, among others, or to enjoy a surprising experience such as a visit to a distillery.
Edinburgh customised private tour
Looking for something different? Whether it is a combination of our tours, a specific site you’d like to visit, or an experience you do not want to miss, get in touch with us! Let us know what you are after and we’ll design a customised tour for you around Scotland’s capital.
Private
Tours Edinburgh
Enjoy a 2-hour or full-day private walking tour around Edinburgh’s most famous and beautiful places with Edinburgh Walking Tours.
If you would like to book an Edinburgh private tour but want to
modify or add areas to your itinerary, or make it a several-day tour, please tell us about it in the form below or write to info@edinburghwalkingtours.com.
We will contact you and
design a customised itinerary.
Private Tour Guide in Edinburgh – Meet Our Local Experts
Enjoy Edinburgh with your own private guide, from start to finish. Visit at your own pace: request a detour or an extra stop whenever you like. We can meet you at your hotel or at a designated point in the city. Family-friendly activities and skip-the-line access to attractions are included. Choose between a standard itinerary or a fully customised experience based on your interests.
Things to Know Before Your Tour
We run our tours come rain or shine. Your tour guide can adapt the tour and change the itinerary in case of consistent bad weather.
Please remember to bring comfortable shoes, a light waterproof jacket, and an umbrella.
Ask for a Quote
If you would like a personalised quote, please fill out the form below or write to us at info@edinburghwalkingtours.com.
If you are a large group, a school, an academy, or an association, please contact us to receive our special rates.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 15 days before the tour.
- 50% refund if cancelled less than 15 days before the start of the tour.
- No refund for cancellations made less than 72 hours before the tour.
What they say about us
Read more on TripAdvisor and Google Maps