Highlights
- Follow Edinburgh's journey from medieval burgh to capital
- Experience history through immersive storytelling
- Explore the places where the city changed forever
Description
Most visitors see Edinburgh's Old Town. This experience reveals how it became the city you see today.
Rather than simply stopping at famous landmarks, you'll follow the remarkable story of Edinburgh's transformation over more than 900 years. From a fortified medieval settlement to one of Europe's most celebrated capital cities, each location reveals another chapter in the city's evolution.
Beginning beside St Giles' Cathedral, you'll uncover the origins of medieval Edinburgh before exploring the towering tenements of the Old Town, the hidden closes that once housed thousands of residents, and the marketplaces where merchants, monarchs and ordinary townsfolk shaped the city's future.
Along the way, discover how devastating fires, overcrowding, political change, religious reform and ambitious Victorian improvements transformed Edinburgh forever. Hear the stories behind the Mercat Cross, the Heart of Midlothian, the Great Fire of 1824, the lost Netherbow Port, John Knox House and many other locations that played a vital role in the city's development.
Led by a passionate local guide, this story-driven walking tour connects each stop into one continuous historical journey, helping you understand not only what happened, but why Edinburgh looks the way it does today.
Whether you're visiting the city for the first time or returning to discover its deeper history, this immersive experience offers a fresh perspective on Scotland's capital through fascinating stories, hidden details and the places where history unfolded.
Includes
Guided storytelling experience led by a local guide
90-minute walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town
Fascinating stories spanning over 900 years of history
Small-group experience
Local recommendations for food, drink, and attractions
Exclusive discounts at selected Merchant Leisure venues (Various seasonal offers- not always included)
Excludes
Food and drinks
Entry to attractions or museums
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Personal expenses
Transportation during the tour
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund