Activities & Tours: Scotland

Viking Coast and Alnwick Castle Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

This popular very small group tour of around 12 passengers explores Holy Island - scene of the first Viking invasion of Britain - and Alnwick Castle (filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey) before returning north to Edinburgh via the beautiful Borders. You will enjoy stunning views along the Northumberland coastline before arriving at Alnwick Castle for a minimum of two-and-a-half hours (33% 'on the day' discount for Heart of Scotland Tours customers/no prebooking required). On Holy Island you may want to include the beautiful short walk to Lindisfarne Castle and a visit to the picturesque Abbey.

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based on 152 reviews

See Details → Duration :9 hours
From $88.99

Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Come with me Muggles on a self-guided audio tour and explore the Edinburgh that inspired J.K. Rowling’s global phenomenon! We'll explore the secret alleyways of the Old Town, starting at Edinburgh Castle, then we'll wander down to “Diagon Alley” and find the gravestones of Voldemort and some other well-known characters from the Harry Potter series. We'll spot “Hogwarts School of Wizardry” along the way too, and if you like, you can stop in at the famous and not-so-famous cafes where J.K. Rowling wrote before Harry Potter became a best-seller. Our journey will include: • A fantastic view of the Edinburgh Castle from the esplanade in front of it • The Royal Mile, Old Town’s most famous street • The Writer’s Museum, a literature fan’s heaven • Victoria Street, one of Scotland's most photographed streets • The Grassmarket where you’ll hear a story of one very lucky lady from the 1700s. • Greyfriar’s Graveyard

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based on 33 reviews

See Details → Duration :40 to 1 hours
From $8.99

Panoramic Running Tour of Edinburgh

We love running and we love Edinburgh, bring your trainers and let us show you our wonderful and vibrant city on foot! Hear stories of Edinburgh past and present whilst we tour the capital city at your pace. We will take in all the main city sights and then finish off with a breathtaking climb up Arthur's Seat to see the city from a panoramic view.

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based on 34 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 to 2 hours
From $90.28

Edinburgh: Discover Edinburgh Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating charm of historic Edinburgh on our walking tour through the city's most significant places. Take an informative, thought-provoking journey that brings the history of Edinburgh to life. Cover all of Edinburgh's major sights, from The Royal Mile to Princes Street. See St Giles' Cathedral, The Writers Museum, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, The Scott Monument, and much more. Our guides are all experienced storytellers who will weave themes of Royalty, Religion, Politics, History, and Culture into a compelling narrative, stretching from the city's beginnings as a bronze age settlement. Hear the stories of reformations, rebellions, and enlightenment and meet the people who have left their imprint on the city, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and many more. At the end of the tour, you'll find yourself in a central location, perfectly situated to further explore the wonders of Edinburgh at your own pace.

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based on 20 reviews

See Details → Duration :3 hours
From $32.24

Private one hour Harry Potter walking tour

Join us on a private tour through Edinburgh's historic Old Town. We will explore where J. K. Rowling gained her inspiration for her global phenomenon of Harry Potter. We will begin on the famous Royal Mile and in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle. Next we will wander down Edinburgh's "Diagon Alley" and then head into a real graveyard to see the grave "he who must not be named". We will also learn about the cafe's where she sat and wrote the beginning of the book and where she finished in the realms of luxury. Having gained a degree in Tourism Management in Edinburgh and having extensively worked in the Scottish tourism industry I feel I have the passion to show you around. I specialised my final year Thesis paper on the phenomenon that is Harry Potter and how it relates to Scottish tourism. All tours are small group sizes. No more than 10 people per group.

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based on 20 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours
From $122.52

Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat Tour: Private & Custom

You’ll join one of our local Edinburgh hosts for a customized kick-start experience of their magical city. Get the best possible introduction to a new city as you let our host show you the ropes and take you to iconic spots like Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument or Arthur’s Seat. And of course you’ll discover delicious food and some local gems like Dean Village along the way. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

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based on 16 reviews

See Details → Duration :3 hours
From $109.62

St Andrews, Falkland and Fife Villages Tour from Edinburgh

This tour combines stunning East Neuk fishing villages, the beautiful town of Falkland, and St Andrews: a place of history, culture, and golf.

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based on 39 reviews

See Details → Duration :9 hours
From $72.22

Self Guided Royal mile Audio Tour in Edinburgh

Explore amazing Royal mile of Edinbourgh at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour. The map guides your route, and engaging audio commentary acts as your personal guide. You'll experience the best: Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, narrow medieval lanes, grave of the Scottish Hachiko, unique double-level street, and more! 23 audio commentaries was written by a professional historian, lifting the veil of mystery over the history, legends and culture of Scotland. Enjoy the tour at your own pace without a tour group. Be free to pause the audio guide at any point to rest in a café or buy souvenirs. You can turn down any pretty alley and get back on the route, skip something you're not personally interested in or listen to the recording again. The walk ends infron of Edinbourgh castle. You can visit its museum or continue your walk around the city.

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based on reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 30 minutes
From $5.54

Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

Escape the city bustle of Edinburgh, and head west on the small group Oban and West Highlands Day Trip! This breathtaking area of Scotland contains coastlines, moorlands and mountains which encompass the dramatic beauty of the West Highlands. Explore the cosy, wee villages of Oban, Luss and Inveraray and take in the scenery with friendly Highland hospitality from your guide!

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based on 80 reviews

See Details → Duration :11 hours 30 minutes
From $88.99

Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh

There's no tour like it in Edinburgh! A walking tour specifically around the history of the coffee trade in Scotland, visiting the sites of the original historic coffee houses in Edinburgh - and exclusive access to what was once "John's Coffee House" where we finish the tour with a coffee in an 18th Century meeting point for philosophers, pirates, and prosecutors alike. Come see an underground section of Edinburgh that hasn't been open to the public for almost 200 years! During the experience, we'll visit the sites where the ancient coffee houses of Edinburgh used to be before the great fire changed the landscape of the Old Town forever, whilst we tell you some stories of the history of coffee, and how the coffee trade grew to what it is today.

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based on 48 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 30 minutes
From $19.35

Small Group Witches Trials & Truth Tour in Edinburgh

History and Hysteria: Their Trials and the Truth Told There was no justice in court, nor truth in tribunals for accused "witches." On this tour, our award-winning storytellers shine a light on the truth behind the trials and the real reasons behind the witch crazes that swept like a fever for centuries across Scotland and beyond. Hear centuries of myths dispelled—it’s time for the truth. • Uncover the very real history behind Scotland’s witch trials. • Enjoy a small-group experience, limited to 18 people maximum. • Discover the true accounts of those accused of witchcraft. • Visit the locations where Scotland’s witches were once executed and are now remembered. • With Mercat's exclusive audio devices, be immersed and get lost in the stories. • Choosing Mercat is "good for you, good for Edinburgh"—our team, community, and planet.

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based on 8 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 30 minutes
From $33.47

Scotch Whisky Tasting - The True Spirit of Scotland

This whiskey tasting is an enriching and educational experience in which you will discover the history, culture and why this iconic drink arouses so much passion. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has played a key role in the popularity of Scotch, and this is a rare opportunity to learn about and immerse yourself in its heritage. In addition, Scotch whiskey is recognized worldwide for its quality and tradition, making it a distinctive element of Scottish culture. This tour will allow you to learn the secrets of distillation, taste different varieties of whiskey and understand why this drink has lasting global relevance.

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based on 19 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 45 minutes
From $51.59

City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

Combining history, humour and horror, this guided walking tour leads you through Edinburgh's fascinating past and into a locked section of Greyfriars Kirkyard infamously known as the Covenanter's Prison. This is the lair of the 'Mackenzie Poltergeist', regarded as the best documented supernatural case of all time. An encounter with the poltergeist is said to be the highlight of the Haunted Graveyard Tour, with hundreds of people claiming to have been attacked by the entity. And only City of the Dead has the key! • 80 minute walking tour exploring Edinburgh's most haunted locations, led by a local expert guide.

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based on 152 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 20 minutes
From $24.5

Private Greyfriars Kirkyard tour - 'Meet' the dead of Old Edinburgh!

The Greyfriars Kirkyard tour is perfect for everyone who wants to know more about Scottish history. The people buried within the Kirkyard made Edinburgh what it was. We'll share some of the most important, most interesting and most surprising stories about these rather fascinating people. And we'll do this in an entertaining, professional and respectful manner. Greyfriars is a fascinating place that has links to some incredible stories from Scotland’s history (not 'just' Edinburgh's history). Their stories are the stories of Edinburgh. You’ll learn about these characters as you stand only inches away from where their bodies lie buried. Hear the stories behind martyred Covenanters, an amusing artist, an infamous ghost, grave robbers, the Irish murderers Burke and Hare, a tortured spy and, of course, the devoted Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. Are you ready to ‘meet’ the ‘Dead of Old Edinburgh’?

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based on 48 reviews

See Details → Duration :1 hours 45 minutes
From $116.07

Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh

My tour unpacks History in an exciting and stimulating way. Learn about the secrets,lies and myths surrounding this fascinating historical period. The people involved are revealed as human beings, not mythical historical figures. Such as Walter Scott who had polio as a child and walked with a limp. He was racked with self doubt and showed no promise as a writer at school. David Hume's father died when David was a child. His Godfather, Henry Home, was a religious man. Both were equally hated by the Church - find out why. Find out who Hume's mistress was and how she was a lady of the night. Discover how Hume was humiliated by the City Council - after he died. Adam Smith, the father of modern economics was an anti-social man who lived with his mother, frowned upon romantic love and never married. Find out how Adam Smith is now cosmologically famous! Learn how American Independence was a Scottish Revolution. OPTIONAL SANDWICHES AND WATER AT TOUR END (11.00AM TOUR ONLY): £2.00

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based on reviews

See Details → Duration :2 to 3 hours
From $25.79

Activities & Tours: Scotland

Viking Coast and Alnwick Castle Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Panoramic Running Tour of Edinburgh

Edinburgh: Discover Edinburgh Walking Tour

Private one hour Harry Potter walking tour

Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat Tour: Private & Custom

St Andrews, Falkland and Fife Villages Tour from Edinburgh

Self Guided Royal mile Audio Tour in Edinburgh

Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh

Small Group Witches Trials & Truth Tour in Edinburgh

Scotch Whisky Tasting - The True Spirit of Scotland

City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour

Private Greyfriars Kirkyard tour - 'Meet' the dead of Old Edinburgh!

Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh

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