Edinburgh Explorer Private tour from Glasgow

The road to Edinburgh

During the drive to Edinburgh, we will pass the iconic Kelpies statues at Falkirk and Linlithgow Palace, which has a magnificent position on Linlithgow Loch. We will then arrive at our first stop, the Forth Bridges View Point. Then, we will continue on into the city for an in-depth tour.

Edinburgh New Town

This tour begins in the New Town of Edinburgh, which was built in the late Georgian period in part to relieve the city’s overpopulation and partly to provide an enlightened city to live in. We’ll travel to Calton Hill to see the world-famous view over the city and Castle. Calton Hill has some quirky architecture including the unfinished National Monument of Scotland.

Edinburgh Old Town

Learn about the effects of the Black Death, the great fire and the developments that led the world to the modern age on this comprehensive tour of Edinburgh’s medieval old city and dark history.

During our visit, we’ll explore much of The Royal Mile, which runs from the Castle to the Palace and runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s old town. We’ll go to St Giles Cathedral and explore the closes (alleys) of Edinburgh, and learn about its history, folklore and stories from long ago.

As the former hanger of Edinburgh’s criminals, the Grassmarket has a sinister past. Your guide will tell you about numerous famous stories regarding executions in the Grassmarket area, including Maggie Dickson’s story, as you climb the ‘Vennel’ and enjoy a unique view of Edinburgh Castle as well as the remains of the Flodden Wall.

Edinburgh is famously the inspiration for Harry Potter. Victoria Street is the inspiration for Diagon Alley and the perfect place to buy a new wand! Victoria Street is a winding cobbled street bordered by eclectic and colourful shops.

Edinburgh Castle (optional)

As we walk along the castle Esplanade the castle comes into view. This is where the Military Tattoo is performed every year in August as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

There are lots of historic buildings at the castle, the oldest one is St Margaret’s Chapel, built by King David I to commemorate his mother in the 11th century. The Scottish National War Memorial is the castles newest building, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and completed in 1927.

As part of James IV’s extensive building work at the castle, the Royal Apartments and Great Hall were used as a royal palace by the Stewart monarchs until 1603.

The Honours of Scotland are on display in the Palace crown room. These ancient crown jewels, including crown, sceptre and sword, symbolise Scotland’s monarchy and national identity today.

There is still an active garrison at Edinburgh Castle which houses a military museum. As part of the castle’s military history and its connection to the city beyond, a ceremonious gun is fired from the castle rampart at one o’clock every day as an immortal timepiece for the city.

Note the one o’clock gun is not fired on Sundays.

Grassmarket

From its sinister past to modern day leisure destination, there are many famous stories about executions that your guide will recite as we walk through this popular area.

Canongate

At the bottom of the Royal Mile stands Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the monarchy in Scotland. Discover its fascinating history from Mary Queen of Scots to Jacobite occupation and its role in modern royal life.

The modernist Scottish parliament building stands in stark contrast to the Palace across the road and is home to the devolved Scottish national government. Learn about the controversial architecture of this building, how it came to be what it is today and why these buildings are located where they are today.

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.

Leith

Although technically an independent town, Leith’s extensive docks offer cobbled lanes, old tramways, surprising architecture, and historic bond warehouses that evoke the past of this bustling port in many ways. As you stroll along The Shore’s old canal, imagine what this busy port must have been like.

Off the beaten trail

On this trip we will also have the opportunity to get of the normal tourist route and explore some of our favourite Edinburgh enclaves. See where people live and how the history that makes Edinburgh famous extends to these areas.

At the end of the day it’s time to return west to Glasgow.