A Mercat Tours Storyteller and tour group on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
Mercat Tours - Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile
This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. The first secret you’ll learn? That you can skip the line at Edinburgh Castle!
Discover an Edinburgh beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks.
Your expert guide will take you to the places where history was made – the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll be hanging on your tour guide’s every word, as the true stories of our capital’s past unfold.
The characters? Think Mary Queen of Scots, David Hume, Adam Smith and Robert Burns. But you’ll go far beyond the well-known facts and faces – uncovering another side of our city, and Scotland’s past. From crime and culture to politics and everyday events, all Edinburgh life is here – expertly told by your Mercat guide.
Want to visit Edinburgh Castle? Skip the line with Mercat Tours.
The castle dominates Scotland’s capital city from its great rock. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it.
Visit the castle with your Mercat guide, and you’ll walk straight over the drawbridge, and straight past the ticket line – to continue your history tour with a guided visit. The full walking tour of Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes – simply choose this option when you book.
Prefer to join us for the 1 hour and 30 minute walking tour? That’s absolutely fine – there’s plenty to explore in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
From £24 per adult
Departure days
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
January — December
Contact details
28 Blair Street
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH1 1QR
Key facilities
- Level Access
Tour information
Tour Stops
Tour company information
Mercat Tours
'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling' Join In! Enjoy immersive storytelling experiences as you explore Edinburgh's Old Town. Stories Connect You'll have a deep connection with the people & places of the past and build remarkable memories of Scotland's ancient & beautiful capital. Good for You, Good for Everyone Choosing us, a local, independent family business and Living Wage employer, means you support an ethical team rooted in our local community since 1985
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