Enlightened! A Walking Tour of Edinburgh's New Town in the Scottish Enlightenment

The tour maps the social pressures and utopian dreams that birthed this graceful new suburb. Meet the 'men of genius' who thronged its broad avenues and explore a period of history crackling with intellectual excitement and artistic achievement.

In 1766, a young unknown architect called James Craig laid out a vision of a brave new world of reason in the elegant streets and squares of Edinburgh's New Town. Its broad thoroughfares, open vistas and quiet classicism were in stark contrast to the dark crowded labyrinth of the Old Town. The ordered symmetry and spacious grid of Craig's design are Enlightenment values such as truth, reason and secular liberalism set in stone.

Enlightened! walking tours transport you to Edinburgh's Golden Age with a range of richly informative tours of the New Town. Thorough research and incisive commentary bring to life the people, places and ideas that helped shape the modern world.

Expert guides tell the story of Edinburgh's historic New Town from its creation right up to the present day. Our headline tour - Enlightened! A Walking Tour of Edinburgh's New Town in the Scottish Enlightenment - maps the social pressures and utopian dreams that birthed this graceful new suburb. Meet the 'men of genius' who thronged its avenues and explore a fascinating period of history crackling with intellectual excitement and artistic achievement.

In addition to the headline tour, bespoke options tailored to your particular interests are available by arrangement. Throughout its development during the Nineteenth Century until today's masterpiece of Georgian architecture, Edinburgh's New Town has remained a hotbed of genius. From Robert Louis Stevenson to the real Sherlock Holmes, Alexander Graham Bell to Peter Higgs' Boson, Enlightened! is the New Town tour company.

Call us today on 07803 787 161 or email at enlightenedtoursscotland@gmail.com to book your tour or check us out online at www.facebook.com/enlightenedtoursscotland or read testimonials from previous customers here https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186525-d7217816-Reviews-Enlightened_Tours_Scotland-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

From £10 per adult


Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

January — December

Contact details

ENLIGHTENED! A Walking Tour of Edinburgh's New Town in the Age of Reason

Edinburgh
Midlothian
Scotland
EH2

Tour information

Starting

  • Edinburgh

Length

2Hours

Transport

  • Walking

Type

  • Bespoke
  • Private
  • Small Group (1-16)

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • Art
  • City
  • History
  • Walking

Tour prices


From £10 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour Stops

ENLIGHTENED! A Walking Tour of Edinburgh's New Town in the Age of Reason

Tour company information

ENLIGHTENED! A Walking Tour of Edinburgh's New Town in the Age of Reason

Enlightened! walking tours transport you to Edinburgh's Golden Age with a richly informative tour of the New Town. The tour maps the social pressures and utopian dreams that birthed this graceful new suburb. In 1766 James Craig laid out a vision of a brave new world of reason in the elegant streets and squares of Edinburgh's New Town. Meet the 'men of genius' who thronged its avenues and explore a period of history crackling with intellectual excitement and artistic achievement.

Opening times

By arrangement: call or email to book

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