Join former history professor, Sami, for a family-friendly Old Town walk built around great storytelling and genuine connection - sometimes joined by one of our Golden Retriever tour guides. Explore Edinburgh as a city shaped by stories and by the people who lived them.
With an 11:00am start, this walk is perfect if you’d rather skip the early-morning rush: enjoy a relaxed breakfast, arrive unhurried, and settle into a more intentional pace as the city comes to life. This tour isn’t a word-for-word script or a rushed checklist of sights; it’s a conversation-led experience where Sami adapts to the group, welcomes questions, and brings Edinburgh’s past to life in a way that works for all ages.
Step into Edinburgh’s Old Town on a story-led walk along the top of the Royal Mile. From the first moments in Makars’ Court beside the Writers’ Museum, you’ll meet the voices that shaped Scotland, hearing how poets and storytellers helped define the city’s character.
From there we climb into the shadow of Edinburgh Castle at the Esplanade, where the stones hold memories of sieges, battles, and royal ambition. Expect kings and queens, narrow escapes, and the kind of mysteries that make you glance twice at the skyline. As we descend Castlehill, you’ll hear some of Edinburgh’s folklore with tales of witches, wizards, and the fears (and fascinations) that once ruled the streets.
Next, the city opens up into some of its most photogenic corners. We follow the curve down colourful Victoria Street, pairing sweeping views with stories that bring the scene to life, then arrive at the Grassmarket - once loud with markets, punishment, and everyday drama. Here we weave together the lives of locals past and present, from ordinary to unforgettable characters.
Our walk ends near Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh’s most beloved four-legged legend. You’ll hear what’s true, what’s been embellished, and why the real story still moves visitors today. It’s a warm, human finish to a tour full of history, humour, and heart.
This tour is a great fit for those who want a later start, a relaxed pace, and a people-first focus beyond the usual ‘same stops, same script’—and sometimes with a Golden Retriever tour guide.
