Edinburgh Old Town
Explore the medieval old city and Edinburgh’s dark history, learn about the effect of the Black Death, great fire and city developments that lead the world.

Edinburgh New Town
A large scale development built in Georgian times in part to relieve the hugely over-populated city and in part to provide an enlightened new city, the first of its kind in Scotland.

Royal Mile
The Royal Mile that runs for a Scottish mile (around 1.1 statute miles / 1.8 kilometres) through the heart of the old town from the Castle to the Palace. We will explore much of the mile, its Closes and history.

Edinburgh Castle
The old city is dominated by Castle hill. Whilst we don’t venture inside on the discovery tour, you will get an appreciation for its importance in Edinburgh, Scottish and British history.

Grassmarket
The Grassmarket has a sinister past as the hanging place for Edinburgh’s criminals. There are many famous stories about executions that your guide will recite including the story of Maggie Dickson.

Victoria Street
Edinburgh is famous as the birthplace of Harry Potter and Victoria Street is the inspiration for Diagon Alley, with its winding cobbled streets and eclectic selection of colourful shops on top of each other. The perfect place to buy a new wand!

Palace of Holyroodhouse
The official residence of the British Monarchy in Scotland. The impressive entrance courtyard and Palace dominate the scene including the Queens Gallery next door.

Scottish Parliament
The modernist Scottish Parliament is home to the devolved national government. Immediately adjacent the Palace, the architectural juxtaposition is stark!

Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s seat is the dramatic volcanic ‘plug’ mountain that can be seen from all corners of the city. If open, we will drive round Queens Drive that circumnavigates Arthur’s seat that offers fantastic views over and beyond Edinburgh.

Calton Hill
From the top of Calton Hill see the world-famous view over Princes Street and Castle. Calton Hill boasts some quirky and interesting architecture including the un-finished National Monument of Scotland.

Leith Docklands
Technically a separate town, the extensive docks around Leith and Shore are intertwined with cobbled lanes, tramways and bond buildings. Leith is also the home to The Royal Yacht Britannia, a floating museum to the monarchy.

During your private tour we will explore many of the hundreds of attractions and sights of the city, as well as many of the ‘off the beaten track’ places only known by locals.