Edinburgh: Crime and Punishment Walking Tour

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Discover the history of Edinburgh on a walking tour with a costumed guide. See iconic landmarks such as The Writers' Museum, St Giles' Cathedral, West Parliament Square, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and more.

Highlights

  • Journey through Edinburgh's dark and tumultuous history with a costumed guide
  • Walk through Parliament Square, Johnston Terrace, Lawnmarket, and Victoria Street
  • Hear stories of heroes, villains, witches, and pirates as you pass by monuments
  • Discover the Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and George IV Bridge in Old Town
  • Uncover the city's evolution into a sanctuary for Industrial Revolution refugees

Description

Enjoy a spine-tingling encounter with Edinburgh's turbulent past on a walking tour. Journey through the city's history, a juxtaposition of affluence and destitution, with the New Town housing the nouveau rich and the Old Town devolving into an inner-city slum plagued by poverty and crime. Explore Edinburgh's 19th-century rise to prominence as a haven for refugees fleeing the ravages of the Industrial Revolution, while also nurturing talent and pioneering advancements in science, technology, and heavy industry. Witness the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots during this transformative period. Delve into the chilling chronicles of murder, mayhem, grave-robbing, vagrancy, and the punitive measures imposed upon those driven to lawlessness by desperation. Follow your guide to the site of an open-air prison nestled in the heart of the Old Town. Hear bloodcurdling accounts of conmen turned killers, gibbeted pirates, witch burnings, decapitated political dissidents, regicide, fires, mob hysteria, and the grim fate of those hung, drawn, and quartered.

Includes

Costumed guide Walking tour of Edinburgh

Important Information

  • Bring along a coat or jacket for the Scottish weather is unpredictable and changes quickly

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

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