Mercat Cross, Edinburgh

Discover Edinburgh's UNESCO-listed Old Town on a guided walking tour. Learn about the medieval history of the area, as well as fascinating folklore and local tales. Meet your guide and discover the gorgeous winding streets that comprise Edinburgh's Old Town. Stroll through the streets and alleys of "Auld Reekie", with your guide, who will enthrall you with its fascinating insights into the area's history and folklore. Learn about the secrets Edinburgh is hiding and experience the incredible stories it has to tell, as your guide leads you through the city's long history. See notable landmarks including Mercat Cross, St. Giles Cathedral, and the Grassmarket. Find out more about the Scottish Enlightenment, and the numerous inspirations for the Harry Potter books dotted throughout the area. Finish your tour in the heart of Edinburgh, surrounded by several bars, restaurants, cafes, and great transport links.

Starting your tour at the Mercat Cross, you will explore Edinburgh's ghostly past on a guided tour through the streets of the Old Town and its underground vaults. Listen as your cloaked guide tells you tales of the city's dark and grim past as you are led along the Royal Mile. If you dare, step into the narrow alleyways, which are only a few feet wide. Make your way to the South Bridge, and head underneath, where Edinburgh's Vaults are located. Once storage areas for businesses and shops in the area, the vaults were taken over in the late 1700s and turned into living spaces. Eventually, the area became home to slums and the city's red-light district. As you walk through these now-vacant rooms, you will hear tales of the deplorable living conditions, as well as of the crime that once raged through the vaults. When you emerge from the underground, consider yourself lucky that it isn't in the dead of night.

Discover Edinburgh’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage on a small and intimate walking tour guided by one of the most knowledgeable locals possible. The tour starts at the Usher Hall in Lothian Road Stuart or Richard Usher, of Scotland's famous and historic House of Usher, or professional historians Dr. Alison Duncan or David Forsyth, or one of our other distinguished guides, will guide you through this beautiful city. You’ll see many of the city’s highlights, including Usher Hall and Edinburgh Castle (Please note, you do not go inside the Castle). You’ll walk along the Royal Mile, view St. Giles Cathedral, and visit several of Edinburgh's famous landmarks. Your guide has an extensive knowledge of Edinburgh's history and architecture and the many famous people that the city has produced over the centuries. They will share their knowledge with you in an informative, personable, and enjoyable manner. Have no fear, as it won't all be serious stuff. You will visit the Grassmarket, a place of thriving activity where street performers and buskers abound and which is home, since the 1400s, to merchants and street traders. You will see and hear about all of the main attractions of this glorious city.

Departing from Edinburgh in the morning, we will head north across the Firth of Forth towards the Tuilyies Standing Stones, much like the ones we frequently see in Outlander, used as markers of where travellers can pass through and travel in time. From there, and no doubt after a few attempts at time travel, we head towards the Royal Burgh of Culross. This picturesque village is a textbook example of a 17th century village in Scotland. You might recognise the village from Outlander, as it feature as Claire’s herb garden, and the Mercat Cross in the show’s Cranesmuir Village. We continue towards Doune Castle (optional extra), which featured as Castle Leoch in Outlander, the seat of Clan MacKenzie. You might also recognise this medieval stronghold from many other different films and tv programmes such as Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. On our way, we will pass the historic and imposing Stirling Castle, which sits proudly over the city of Stirling, high on volcanic rock. You can visit Stirling Castle on our Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies tour from Edinburgh. Our tour then heads south, towards the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, where you will have time to grab some lunch, and also visit Linlithgow Palace, Outlander’s Wentworth Prison (optional extra). The palace, with it’s impressive grounds overlooking stunning scenery, was originally used as a relaxing retreat for the Royal Family on journeys between Edinburgh and Stirling Castle. From Linlithgow, we travel to Blackness, home to Blackness Castle (optional extra), affectionately known as “the ship that never sailed” due to its triangular shape, which juts out into the Forth. In Outlander, Blackness Castle is used as the set for Fort William, the headquarters of Black Jack Randall. Look down the Forth towards Edinburgh and you will be met with a view of the 3 bridges that span the water. Our final stop of the day depends on the time of year that you travel. In the summer months, we will continue to Midhope Castle (optional extra). This 16th century townhouse was the backdrop to Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s family home. Spend time here for photos and soak up the atmosphere and keep an eye out for Jamie, just in case. Should Midhope be closed for filming, or if your tour is in winter, we will instead continue to the Forth Bridges. Spanning 3 centuries of Scottish engineering and innovation, these impressive structures connect the Kingdom of Fife to the Lothians and serve as a vital transport link for the country. Then, your Outlander tour will return to Edinburgh where you can stay in town and explore some of the city centre’s sights. Or, just head back to your accommodation and binge some more Outlander. • Please note: from 3rd December 2024 our Edinburgh tours will depart from NCP Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW.

Walk into the footsteps of the iconic Mary Queen of Scots on a guided walking tour in Edinburgh and discover the dramatic events that shook the city during her short and turbulent reign. Go from Holyrood Palace, where she lived, to Edinburgh Castle, where she gave birth to her son James VI of Scotland and I of England. Along the way, hear what happened to her during her six-year reign and find out what kind of woman she was. Enjoy an easy-going pace designed for the comfort of all travellers. Stop at various city highlights, including the John Knox House, Mercat Cross, and the impressive St. Giles Cathedral. Then, finish up your tour on the castle esplanade. PLEASE NOTE - This tour DOES NOT go inside any of the places we stop at.

Begin by meeting your guide in the center of the city. You'll be introduced to the city, its history and neighbourhoods. Continue towards the New Town, and admire elegant examples of neoclassical architecture including The Georgian House. Be transported back in time and listen to your guide explaining what high society life was like in 18th and 19th century Edinburgh. Next, head to the Scottish National Gallery. Discover the artworks of some of Scotland’s most famous artists including Sir Henry Raeburn, Alexander Nasmyth, the Glasgow Boys. Cross over to the Old Town. Stroll along its medieval cobbled lanes and discover its most important sites, including Greyfriars Graveyard, Grassmarket, and Victoria Street. Delve into the history of Edinburgh Castle, and recall the fascinating stories of kings, queens, battles and sieges.

Let's share a dram and explore famous landmarks and gritty street art, while I tell you tales of Glasgow’s crime and macabre past. Hear about its ties to the slave trade, its gangs, its godfathers, its ghosts, and its twisted serial killers. Let's toast with single malt Scottish Whisky and have some traditional snacks whilst learning about the 'real' Glasgow, from a real Glaswegian. Bursting with trademark dry Glaswegian humour and feisty, entertaining tales, this is a unique tour experience not to be missed. 'People Make Glasgow' and this is a tour dedicated to the people and their thrilling, hilarious, and sometimes terrifying adventures. Want to know about Bible John? The Human Crocodile? The Gorbals Vampire? Arthur Thompson and his kin? Then look no further! These are not the stories you will find in museums, they cannot be summed up in a book. Glaswegians are known to spin a yarn and are the world’s greatest storytellers ─ your guide will add their own anecdotes passed down from family, including both the historical facts and the mythical imaginings clearly defined. Walk the affluent streets of the Merchant city, be faced with Glasgow's famous High Court of Justiciary, saunter through the cultural Glasgow Green Park, and head out to the Barras Market and Barrowland Ballroom before ending in the central historic heart of our city.

Make the most of your time in Edinburgh with our guided walking tour that combines two a walk on the historic Royal Mile and a skip-the-line entrance to Edinburgh Castle. The tour will begin on the Royal Mile, where your guide will lead you through cobbled streets, sharing fascinating stories of Scotland’s past and pointing out iconic landmarks like St. Giles' Cathedral, the colourful Victoria Street, and the Grassmarket with its vibrant atmosphere. Uncover Edinburgh castle's rich history and visit the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Great Hall, and St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city. Learn about the dramatic life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and experience the One O’Clock Gun firing. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to keep exploring the roofed buildings of the castle at your own pace.

Uncover the real-life inspirations for Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, and many more on a walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town. Explore the city's history of magic and enchanting folklore, and immerse yourself in playful trivia and insightful stories. Meet your guide, a true potions master of Harry Potter lore, and brew a captivating concoction of historical anecdotes, literary insights, and playful trivia. Explore eerily familiar locations like Greyfriars Kirkyard, full of magical whispers. Learn about Edinburgh's rich history of witchcraft and folklore, where real-life magic once thrived. Imagine bustling wizarding shops in every alleyway, secret passages within ancient buildings, and Hogwarts' grandeur reflected in iconic architecture. This immersive experience is more than a walking tour, it's a chance to live your own magical adventure.

A chilling tour around every corner of the Old Town, following in the footsteps of the Scottish capital's most famous murderers, prisoners and ghosts! A tour that traces the city's darkest stories, from the most notorious historic assassinations to unsolved murders, ghost stories and disasters that have marked Edinburgh's urban history! We'll see places where spirits are generally said to still haunt them, as we journey through their stories. Our tour will take us in the footsteps of criminals of all kinds and the heroes who helped put an end to their macabre schemes.