Welcome to Edinburgh History Guides, the home of real history! This 5-star rated walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town and Royal Mile is fun and rewarding.

A Royal Mile walking tour via:

St Giles Cathedral

Old Scottish Parliament

The Mercat Cross and Royal Exchange

The Tron Kirk

Canongate Kirk

Scottish Parliament

Holyrood Palace

Stories of Scottish and British History, including:

The Reformation

Mary Queen of Scots

The start of democracy

The Union of Scotland and England

The Jacobites

Guided Walk Route
Approx. time and distance: 2 hours, 1 mile / 1.6km

We meet in West Parliament Square, next to St. Giles Cathedral. You'll walk around the cathedral, to Old Parliament Hall, the statue of Charles II, the Market Cross, the Royal Exchange, the statue of Adam Smith and continue down the Royal Mile, past the Tron Kirk, down historic Canongate, with stops at Moray House and Canongate Kirk, continue to the new Scottish Parliament, magnificent views of Holyrood Park, and finish at the gates of Holyrood Palace.

"Though tyrants threat, though Lyons rage and rore, defy them all, and feare not to win out." Elizabeth Melville, Lady Culross (c1578-1640)

"Why should I be so sad on my wedding day?" The legend of the bells of St. Giles Cathedral, 1707

"I rattled down the High Street in high elevation of spirits."
James Boswell (1740 - 1795)

Edinburgh's Old Town and Royal Mile: A Walk Through History, 2 hours, £15 per person

(Private group tour 1-10 people, £60)

Your guide will tell stories of Scotland's dramatic history

What led to Scotland's protestant reformation, and who was John Knox? He's buried under a car park, I'll show you where.

What happened to Mary Queen of Scots, and why?

What motivated King James to personally supervise witch trials? Then he moved to London!

The signing of The National Covenant in Edinburgh led to the execution of King Charles I in London. What was The National Covenant?

The Dutch invaded England and deposed the King. Really? Yes, it's true!

What are the origins of British democracy?

Where was Scotland's disastrous colony in the Americas, the ruin of our nation?

Scotland joined England in a United Kingdom? Is it love?

And who were the Jacobites?

And you can hear about recent events in Scotland

When and why was the Scottish Parliament reopened after almost 300 years?

What happened in the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014?

Did Scotland vote in favour of Brexit in 2016?

Will Scotland become an independent country?

Join me to explore and discover!

Edinburgh History Tour Gallery

Some of the historic locations we visit on our guided walks of Edinburgh