5.0 ★ - 185 Reviews

Expert Local Guide
6 Years of Guiding Experience

History Tour
Bringing together the Old Town & New Town

Private Experience
Flexible Itineraries - Your Tour Your Way

Private Edinburgh History Walking Tour

The Best of the Old Town and New Town

Book Today
Book Today

The Best Edinburgh History Walking Tour

Edinburgh is a tremendous city to explore on foot. Around almost every corner there’s a piece of incredible history from stories hidden in the closes of the Old Town to secret viewpoints over the beautiful Edinburgh Castle, the grave robbers of Greyfriars Kirkyard, or the grand Georgian streets of the New Town.

 

This private Edinburgh walking tour is designed to be flexible. Rather than following a fixed route or strict timetable, you can choose the areas that interest you most and how long you’d like to explore for. Some visitors want a short introduction to the Old Town and the Royal Mile, while others prefer a longer wander taking in places like Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Grassmarket, Calton Hill, or Princes Street Gardens.

 

Because it’s a private history tour, the pace is relaxed and the stories can go deeper than you’d normally get on a large group tour. It’s just you and your small group with me your local guide sharing the history, characters, and strange little details that make the city memorable.

Old Town Itinerary Options

Pick the areas you want to see, and we’ll make sure your tour is personal, relaxed, and full of the stories that bring Edinburgh to life. Make sure to tell us in the contact form.

Castle Viewpoints

greyfriars-kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard

St-Giles-Cathedral

Old Town & Royal Mile

Calton-Hill

Calton Hill

Princes Street Gardens

edinburgh-new-college

Edinburgh University

Morning Edinburgh Walking Tours - Join Us Before The Crowds

Edinburgh is at its most atmospheric in the morning, when the streets are quiet, the air is fresh, and the city is almost to yourself. On a private tour starting at 9am, you can explore the Royal Mile, wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard, or climb Calton Hill without the crowds, all while hearing the stories that bring the city to life and snapping some beautiful photos.

 

For a truly special experience, sunrise or sunset tours are also available. Just request it when booking, and we’ll plan a route that shows the city at its most magical.

Contact Us For a History Walking Tour Today!

From £150 for 2 Hours

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

View on map

Morning Tour Recommended to Avoid Crowds

Flexible Route & Length

Available: All Year Round

English

Enquire below for availability.


The Best Edinburgh History Walking Tour

Edinburgh is a tremendous city to explore on foot. Around almost every corner there’s a piece of incredible history from stories hidden in the closes of the Old Town to secret viewpoints over the beautiful Edinburgh Castle, the grave robbers of Greyfriars Kirkyard, or the grand Georgian streets of the New Town.

 

This private Edinburgh walking tour is designed to be flexible. Rather than following a fixed route or strict timetable, you can choose the areas that interest you most and how long you’d like to explore for. Some visitors want a short introduction to the Old Town and the Royal Mile, while others prefer a longer wander taking in places like Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Grassmarket, Calton Hill, or Princes Street Gardens.

 

Because it’s a private history tour, the pace is relaxed and the stories can go deeper than you’d normally get on a large group tour. It’s just you and your small group with me your local guide sharing the history, characters, and strange little details that make the city memorable.

 

Contact Us For a History Walking Tour Today!

From £150 for 2 Hours

Morning Tour Recommended to Avoid Crowds

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

View on map

Available: All Year Round

Flexible Route & Length


👥 Max 8 People ★ 5.0  185 Reviews

Private Edinburgh History Walking Tour

Enquire Today

The Best Edinburgh History Walking Tour

Edinburgh is a tremendous city to explore on foot. Around almost every corner there’s a piece of incredible history from stories hidden in the closes of the Old Town to secret viewpoints over the beautiful Edinburgh Castle, the grave robbers of Greyfriars Kirkyard, or the grand Georgian streets of the New Town.

 

This private Edinburgh walking tour is designed to be flexible. Rather than following a fixed route or strict timetable, you can choose the areas that interest you most and how long you’d like to explore for. Some visitors want a short introduction to the Old Town and the Royal Mile, while others prefer a longer wander taking in places like Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Grassmarket, Calton Hill, or Princes Street Gardens.

Contact Us For a History Walking Tour Today!

£

From £150 for 2 Hours

Available: All Year Round

Flexible Route & Length

Morning Tour Recommended to Avoid Crowds

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

View on map


Tour Photo Highlights

Royal Mile

Castle Viewpoints

Edinburgh University

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Calton Hill

Grassmarket

Greyfriars Bobby

Tour Photo Highlights

Top Rated Edinburgh Walking Tour

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 185 reviews 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Abby M profile picture 
 
 
 Abby M 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Trip of a lifetime I found Rob on instagram after several tour companies said they couldn't help me with a custom tour route. It was the busy season when I first contacted Rob and he enthusiastically got back to me saying he would be able to take us wherever! We booked him for 5 days with 4 people total. He was able to pick us up from the airport and we were off for our first day. He put together a great itinerary that was a mix of the incredibly long list I sent him and some places I had never heard of. He was very thoughtful in his planning and letting us know what was a tourist trap and what was worth spending money and time on so that we could really maximize our trip. He truly drove us all over Scotland and was always in a good mood! We often started very early and ended very late getting nearly 20k steps each day and he never complained about anything! He showed us some incredible locations and even at the tourist traps he was able to take us away from the crowds to an even better photo op! I cannot express enough about how incredible Rob made our trip. Every time we saw one of the big tour busses I was SO grateful we found Rob and went with him instead, I cannot imagine ever going on a large tour bus again after the experience Rob gave us. We had so many inside jokes and incredible pictures and memories by the end of our tour with Rob and we were so sad to have to finish our trip without him!! His knowledge of not only the land, roads (often times backroads due to accidents and sheep blockades), land marks, and history was incredible. He is a fantastic story teller and a fantastic driver!! We always felt safe and he made sure we had what we needed for each day and itinerary! I am a very type A, planner, need to know every detail or I have a very stressful time but Rob made this trip seamless and we planned a great itinerary together. Even when we needed to change a few things once in Scotland it still seemed like everything was planned to begin with! Rob, thank you so much for the incredible and unforgettable experience!! I cannot wait to come back!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Madison H profile picture 
 
 
 Madison H 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Kieran the tour guide and Harry Potter!! Perfect!! Kieran was an excellent tour guide. He was full of information and a lot of fun too. I highly recommend this tour. Don’t bother walking around, trying to discover things on your own. It’s so much better to do this tour.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Genene M profile picture 
 
 
 Genene M 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Once in a lifetime This was the best time of my life. Rob was amazing. My daughter found him on Instagram and it's the best find ever. He took us to so many fun places. We did so many fun things. We were able to see and do way more than those big bus tours. Rob knows his way around Scotland like no other.I can't recommend Rob enough. If you're lucky enough to get him to be your tour guide, you're lucky enough ❤️
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Paula P profile picture 
 
 
 Paula P 
 
 
 
 Verified 
A+ tour guide We had a great time with Rob as our guide. Highly recommended- we'd hire him again if we had the chance. Funny, informative, and quite the punster- lots of laughter.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Jeffrey G profile picture 
 
 
 Jeffrey G 
 
 
 
 Verified 
If you want to see the Scottish Highlands and have a great time, choose Rob Carr Experiences We did a three-day tour of the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye. Words can't describe how amazing it was! Rob was the best host/guide anyone could ever ask for. He was knowledgeable and kept the conversation flowing with stories and anecdotes. The planning process was easy and Rob was very accommodating and also offered great suggestions. We had a pretty packed itinerary and Rob still found time to take spontaneous detours and show us some amazing sights (dinosaur footprints). If you want to see the Scottish Highlands and have an enjoyable time, book with Rob.Rob started the trip as our guide, and ended our trip as a friend.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Melissa M profile picture 
 
 
 Melissa M 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Harry Potter and Highland Tour I recently did a Harry Potter, Highland and Isle of Skye tour with Rob and had a great time! We covered a lot of ground from Harry Potter filming sights, to checking out castles and several hikes. Rob is very knowledgeable in the history of Scotland and in Harry Potter. I liked how friendly, enthusiastic and funny he is. His dad jokes were great! His tour was also very engaging and inclusive. My friend and I stayed a couple of extra days in Edinburgh after the tour ended, Rob gave great recommendations on what to do and where to go eat on those last days. You can tell Rob is very passionate about what he does. I am really glad my coworker recommended Rob to me. Overall I would recommend Rob to anyone planning a trip to Scotland.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Catherine B profile picture 
 
 
 Catherine B 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Super Fun Time, Beautiful Views, & Yummy Food! I've joined my first tour group ever in the Isle of Skye with Rob as my tour guide & he had made it such a fun & memorable travel experience for me!He drove us to destinations like hikes with beautiful views like The Quiraing to bakeries & restaurants with some of the yummiest food l've ever eaten & he had told us so many educationalfun facts that made me appreciate & loveScotland even more!Overall, I highly recommend Rob as a tour guide because of how knowledgeable he was about the Scotland destinations & most importantly, he made sure we were all having an enjoyable & safe time all throughout the tour!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Lilkaloo profile picture 
 
 
 Lilkaloo 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Highly recommend! Rob was an amazing tour guide! Not only was he enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all things Harry Potter, but he also included history about the city of Edinburgh that added to the experience. He was prompt and kept to the scheduled times. I highly recommend this tour, especially if like me, you enjoy a good ‘dad joke.’
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Voyager39229069857 profile picture 
 
 
 Voyager39229069857 
 
 
 
 Verified 
My favorite day of the trip I am so glad we booked our tour with Rob! We did a one day trip to the highlands and it was my favorite day of the whole trip. He took us to so many places I had never even heard of when doing research for our trip, and I loved that we were able to be the only group everywhere he took us. I was impressed with how much history he knew off the top of his head. Rob was so cool and the whole day truly just felt like hanging out with a friend. I will always recommend Rob to anyone traveling to Scotland!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Grainne B profile picture 
 
 
 Grainne B 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Great time! We had such a lovely time on this tour with Rob! He has lots of fun facts about Harry Potter along with knowledge of the city too. You can tell Rob really loves doing tours and makes sure everyone is having a great time

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Road

Finish Location: Dependent on terms of bespoke walking tour

 

Recommended: Waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes

Walking tours in peak months (May–October) can book out quickly, so earlier is better. For off-season dates, the sooner the better but more flexible for day before bookings are usually more likely.

These terms and conditions, together with any other written information brought to your attention before we confirm your booking, shall form the basis of your contract with Rob Carr Tours. Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly and if you have any further questions contact us immediately.

Booking Process

Bookings can be made via our website contact form by telephone, by email or contact form. Our online booking system can process payments via Debit and Credit Card, Stripe, PayPal and we are also able to take direct bank transfer. We will not issue your booking confirmation until the payment has been processed. For all walking tours full payment will be required at the time of booking (unless agreed otherwise). Note that we cannot be held responsible if any tour in which you are interested in becomes fully booked or unavailable prior to full payment being received from you.

Cancellation by You

If you wish to cancel or make any amendments to your tour, please notify us as soon as possible in writing. The date your written notice is sent will be taken as the effective date of cancellation. Cancellation charges may apply as outlined below.

Walking Tours

  • If you book a walking tour more than 7 days before the tour date, a full refund will be provided if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour start time.
  • If you book a walking tour within 7 days of the tour date, a full refund will be provided if you cancel more than 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time are non-refundable.

Change to itinerary

The itinerary must be taken as an indication of what each Group should accomplish and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Rob Carr Tours. Any changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, delays, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances. It is a fundamental condition when booking the tour described that you accept flexibility of the itinerary and acknowledge that delays and alterations with resulting consequences, comfort or disappointments are possible.

Insurance

There is no travel insurance cover provided as part any of the products sold by Rob Carr Tours. We do not accept responsibility for lost personal possessions and/or luggage on any point of the tour as well as any additional expenses experienced through delays, sickness, weather or other grounds out with our control. Additionally, we strongly recommend to purchase a travel insurance policy covering personal possessions, medical, travel, cancellation etc.

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