Edinburgh: Castle to Palace Private Walking Tour｜United Kingdom

Begin our tour on the Royal Mile where we will learn about the 900 years of history from the closes that are unique to the Old Town to where the city gets its name. We will see Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and learn about the battles between England and Scotland and what gave Scotland the culture and heritage that makes it the place it is today.

Continue to Parliament Square and spot the Heart of Midlothian mosaic, a tribute to the city’s turbulent history and immortalized by Sir Walter Scott. A short stroll takes you to the National Library of Scotland, where you’ll learn about the building’s history and its role in preserving Scottish culture. Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard, an atmospheric 16th-century graveyard that inspired countless authors. Pause at the grave of Robert Fergusson, the tragic young poet admired by Robert Burns, and hear stories of Edinburgh’s poetic legacy.

Cross into the New Town to admire the towering Scott Monument, the world’s largest monument to a writer, adorned with 64 statues from Scott’s novels. Stroll through Princes Street Gardens, passing statues of Allan Ramsay and Professor Wilson, and enjoy the city’s green heart. If you wish, extend your walk to The Conan Doyle Pub, dedicated to the creator of Sherlock Holmes, and see the nearby statue marking Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthplace.

Your tour concludes near the Scott Monument, leaving you in a central location perfect for further exploration or a relaxing break in the gardens. Along the way, your guide will share stories, local traditions, and the enduring influence of Edinburgh’s writers on world literature.