Top Edinburgh Historical Tours

See the best of medieval yet modern Edinburgh on this walking tour with optional skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed pockets. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence (if option selected), and pass iconic locations like St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, and John Knox House.

This full-day Scottish Highlands tour takes you on a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness. The journey travels by coach across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and through the Great Glen to Fort Augustus, where you’re treated to a locally made picnic lunch. Take an optional boat ride on the legendary loch in search of ‘Nessie’ before the return trip over the Drumochter Pass and through the forests and rivers of Highland Perthshire, with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.

Travel from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh. Cross the Forth Road Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife and pass by the coastal villages of East Neuk. Then pay homage to the town of St. Andrews, home to Scotland's oldest university and the Old Course where golf is routinely played. Driving in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, see Falkland and the Lomond Hills. Enjoy a small-group tour, limited to 16 people, for a memorable and personalized experience.

Witness dramatic landscapes and majestic castles on a full-day trip through Scotland’s West Highlands from Edinburgh. With a knowledgeable guide, soak up stunning scenery from the rugged Breadalbane Mountains to The Trossachs National Park. Visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scottish heroes and rebels. Movie buffs will love the visit to Doune Castle, film site of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Discover the dramatic beauty, history and mystery of Scotland on this full-day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, wind through the Scottish Highlands and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness—fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Discover the Edinburgh Vaults—aka South Bridge Vaults—18th-century underground chambers that lie far below the city. On this underground walking tour with an entertaining and informative guide, hear tales of this dark and almost-forgotten place built below one of Edinburgh’s busiest thoroughfares. See evidence of excavated storage spaces, human habitation, taverns with wine vaults and more!

Marvel at Scotland’s rural majesty on this 3-day Isle of Skye and Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Admire Loch Lomond and Eilean Donan Castle; and discover the relaxed lifestyle of Skye, with a stroll around the harbor town of Portree and a whisky tasting. Plus, explore Culloden Battlefield to learn of Scotland’s Jacobite Rising; visit Urquhart Castle, and cruise on Loch Ness. Some entry tickets are at your own expense.

See Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Pass Linlithgow Palace on the way to the Kelpies, said to be the largest equine sculptures in the world. Then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where you can join your guide on a nature walk, before heading to Stirling Castle for an optional interior tour (own expense). This small-group tour in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach is limited to 16 passengers for a memorable experience.

Discover the Scottish Highlands on a leisurely 2-day trip from Edinburgh that includes overnight accommodation at a hotel or bed & breakfast. Visit two of Scotland’s most popular spots—Loch Ness and Inverness—during scenic drives among pine forests, dramatic castles and charming villages, with an optional boat ride on Loch Ness. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers for a personalized experience with your informative guide.

Journey to the frontier of ancient Rome on this full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish borders from Edinburgh. First up is a tour of the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and renowned for its mysterious stone carvings and unique architecture. After lunch (not included), stop at Melrose Abbey, the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart, and look out over the English border from Cheviot Hills, before walking along the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.

Uncover the mysteries of Loch Ness on an exciting day-trip from Edinburgh. Set out north along Scotland's West Coast to experience one of the country's most iconic lochs, best known for the fabled 'monster' said to reside deep within its waters. En route, pass some incredible sights, including the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, Ben Nevis―Britain's tallest mountain―and dramatic Highlands landscapes recognizable from films like 'Skyfall.' Your guide regales you with stories about the area, making for an exciting, informative―and if you're lucky, truly legendary―trip.

Visit the royal stronghold of Stirling Castle and the majestic Loch Lomond on this full-day tour from Edinburgh. Escape the city for a scenic drive through the countryside, stopping to snap photos of Highland cows, the Trossachs National Park, and Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. After touring the impressive Stirling Castle, soak up the scenery around Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest lake. Finish your Scottish experience sampling Scotch whisky at the acclaimed Glengoyne Distillery.

Explore famous landmarks and hidden secrets in Edinburgh on this walking tour. Explore Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile with a guide, and gain insight into famous writers and inventors who have called the city home. Hear tales of Scotland's national bard—Robert Burns—and discover top landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral and the National Galleries of Scotland. Capture Edinburgh through the eye of your camera as you go, and find out what makes this ancient city tick.

Follow the trail of the Romans through ancient Scotland on this full-day tour from Edinburgh. With an expert guide, visit millennia-old Roman ruins such as Hadrian’s Wall, Birdoswald Fort, Steel Rigg, and soak up the beauty of Northumberland National Park, the Irthing Valley, and the Southern Uplands. Travel with a small group to historic villages and hear the about Anglo-Scottish wars that once rattled the region.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this 1-day Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle, and enjoy breathtaking views from the top of the iconic Wallace Monument. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

Explore a sinister side of Edinburgh on this late-night ghost walking tour that includes the Blair Street Vaults under South Bridge. Stroll mysterious alleyways as you listen to your guide’s grim and ghastly tales of treason and torture. Then venture underground for a candlelight tour of the 18th-century chambers and hear haunting stories of supernatural forces lingering in the city's darkest corners.

Explore the Scottish Highlands with this three-day tour from Edinburgh. Skip the hassle of a rental car and kick back in an air-conditioned coach with a local guide. Hear stories of Scotland’s history as you visit the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and Inverness. This tour offers an immersive experience into one of the most scenic areas of the Scottish countryside.

Ideal for those fascinated by the supernatural, this tour of Edinburgh’s underground vaults is sure to make your spine tingle. With a ghoulish guide, descend into the darkened depths of the Blair Street Vaults and hear vivid retellings of torture, murder, and body snatching. Abandon thoughts of manufactured frights and prepare to experience the sinister side of Edinburgh on this small-group tour.

Discover the palaces and castles of TV’s ‘Outlander’ series on a 9.5-hour tour from Edinburgh. Visit some of the sites that starred in the fictional Jacobite saga, including Blackness Castle, the headquarters of Jack Randall, and Hopetoun House, the Duke of Sandringham’s residence. Explore Wentworth Prison, set in Linlithglow Palace, and see Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Mercat Cross (Cranesmuir), and more, as you hear trivia on the series and its stars. Entrance fees are excluded.

Get a comprehensive look at Scotland during this 5-day journey through its rugged and rural landscapes. Travel through the Lowlands, Northern Highlands, West Coast, and the Isle of Skye, including a stop at Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle plus a seasonal railway ride on the Jacobite steam train. Enjoy overnight stays in Oban and Loch Ness, and a 2-night stay in Isle of Skye, with daily breakfast included

Explore Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle, and delve into the world of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Rob Roy on this tour from Edinburgh. Visit Stirling Castle—widely considered among Scotland’s most impressive fortresses—with a guide. Head through the Trossachs National Park to the Highland village of Balloch, nestled by the banks of magical Loch Lomond. Perhaps take a lake cruise or enjoy capturing the pretty town of Luss on camera before the journey back to Edinburgh.

Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on this 9.5-hour West Highland lochs and castles day trip from Edinburgh. Visit the iconic Doune Castle in Stirlingshire with a guide, then head deep into the Scottish Highlands. Take in fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy an hour’s free time in Glen Ogle. Then, head onward to Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle — widely considered Scotland's prettiest castle. Explore the highland village of Inveraray and perhaps visit Inveraray Castle. Travel through the beautiful Arrochar Alps back to Edinburgh.

Discover the rugged beauty and cultural splendor of the Scottish Borders on a day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, visit the market town of Kelso and the magnificent Alnwick Castle, a featured film setting in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter Series. Soak up the beauty of Northumberland as you make a final stop at the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Entrance fees are your own expense.

Soak up Scotland’s majestic countryside on a full-day tour of Highlands from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable coach, stop at Loch Lomond, the largest inland body of water in Great Britain. Wind through Trossachs National Park, spotted with moors, lochs and jutting peaks, and on to Stirling Castle, coronation place of Mary, Queen of Scots. Explore the grounds or purchase an optional tour of the castle’s opulent interior rooms. On the return journey to Edinburgh, the tour stops at the Kelpies. The world's largest equine sculptures dedicated to the horse-powered heritage of Central Scotland, designed by Andy Scott.

Explore the Highlands and Loch Ness on this 2-day tour from Edinburgh. Gaze over Loch Lomond from Luss Beach. Take in Loch Tulla and Glen Coe as a guide sheds light on Scotland’s troubled past. Enjoy free time to explore Fort William, then head up to Fort Augustus. Enjoy an optional Loch Ness cruise or Urquhart Castle visit, then perhaps learn of Scotland’s Jacobite Rising at the Culloden Battlefield. Learn how drams of whisky are made in a local distillery, then pass Perth and Kinross on route back to Edinburgh.

Explore coastal routes around Edinburgh and the ancient kingdom of Northumbria on this 9.5-hour Holy Island, Alnwick Castle and Northumberland tour from Edinburgh. Head south across the Scottish border into English with a guide, and visit Holy Island and the peaceful village of Lindesfarne. Discover local attractions such as Lindesfarne Castle and the Priory, and explore the market town of Alnwick. Travel through Flodden Field — the battlefield where the English and Scots met in battle in 1513 — and gain insight into British history. Then, return in comfort to Edinburgh.

Immerse yourself in the majesty of northwest Scotland on a 4-day tour of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh. In a small group, witness some of the world’s most dramatic scenery from spiny cliffs at Neist Point to must-see Scottish landmarks like Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness, and hear tragic tales such as the massacre of Glencoe. Three nights in 3-star lodging and daily breakfasts included.

Discover Northumberland’s weird and wonderful history, from Vikings to wizards, on this full-day tour from Edinburgh. Cross the border into North England and follow the causeway to Holy Island to learn about the island’s ancient Christian settlement and notorious Viking invasion. After visiting the hilltop Lindisfarne Castle, head back to the mainland and continue to Alnwick Castle, a magnificent palace with a completely different claim to fame – as a film location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey! This small-group tour is limited to 16 people, ensuring a personalized experience.

Escape the city to experience wild, small-town Scotland on this 5-day tour of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh. Aboard a luxury minivan, enjoy the scenery of Cairngorms National Park, Achmelvich Bay and the mysterious Loch Ness. Visit famous sites like the Old Man of Storr and Eilean Donan Castle, hear bloody histories like the massacre of Glen Coe, and admire the dramatic beauty of the Quiraing mountain pass. Four nights in 3- or 4-star lodging and daily breakfasts included.

The award winning Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour was the first literary tour to be launched in Edinburgh in 1996! Why is it regarded by many as a pioneer in its field and a Must-See cultural attraction in guide books throughout the world - standing out from all the rest.......? Performed by professional actors and not academics or tour guides reciting from books. It represents great value for money and has a very high entertainment factor! Join the intrepid duo, Clart ( as in muck!) and our clean-hankied intellectual Mcbrain, who will lead you on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Town. A Hilarious duel of wits across three hundred years of great writing and colourful characters.

Experience the mystic and striking beauty of the remote Orkney Islands on this 5-day excursion from Edinburgh. In a small group, journey with your expert guide through the rugged Scottish Highlands, John o'Groats and the wind-swept Orkney archipelago. Enjoy views of the mysterious Loch Ness and Ben Hope Mountain, villages steeped in Viking mystery and landmarks like Stirling Castle and Lamb Holm Italian Chapel. Spend four evenings relaxing in 3-star accommodation.

Explore St. Andrews and the Villages of Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh. Admire fine views over the Forth Rail Bridge from South Queensferry en route into the Kingdom of Fife. Discover pretty coastal villages, then visit Anstruther with a guide. Perhaps visit St. Andrews’ castle and cathedral ruins, stroll along the harbor, or soak up the sunshine at your leisure. Afterward, travel through the Lomond Hills and past Loch Leven on route back to Edinburgh.

Experience the enchantment of the Scottish Highlands on a small-group, 2-day trip from Edinburgh. As you travel through spectacular scenery, visit historical highlights like Doune Castle and witness the natural splendor of Loch Ness and Glen Coe. Delve into the history of Culloden battlefield, take a riverside stroll at Dunkeld and recognize Glenfinnan Viaduct, famed for its role in the ‘Harry Potter’ films. B&B or hostel accommodation is reserved but not included in the price. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 16 people.

Witness the hypnotic beauty of Scotland’s northern islands on a 6-day tour of the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh. With a friendly guide, journey through far-flung islands spotted with white-sand beaches and jagged peaks. Savor panoramic views from towering cliffs, and visit charming villages and landmarks like the Callanish Stone, Dunvegan Castle, and Glendale Castle. Five evenings in 3-star accommodation and daily breakfasts included.

Journey through the majestic Scottish Lowlands on this Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders and Glenkinchie Distillery tour from Edinburgh. Travel with a guide to the village of Roslin and visit the iconic Roslyn Chapel. Take a scenic route along Scotland’s border to Melrose Abbey—believed to be the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart—and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Admire panoramic views over the Scottish countryside and the Tweed River from Scott’s View. Sample Lowland whisky at the Glenkinchie Distillery, then return in comfort to Edinburgh.

Soak up the majesty of northwest Scotland on a full-day trip through the West Highlands and Oban from Edinburgh. With a friendly guide, see some of the world’s most stunning scenery from the green hills of seaside Oban to the lochs and mountain peaks of Trossachs National Park. See landmarks like Kilchurn Castle, visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scots such as Robert the Bruce.

Experience the history and beauty of Scotland’s Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on a full-day trip from Edinburgh. Traveling by mini-coach, visit the Kelpies Monument and Stirling Castle, associated with Scottish historical heroes William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Admire the Trossachs’ mountain-and-lake scenery as you meet Scotland’s famous Highland cows, and choose to tour either a whisky distillery or Doune Castle. Entrance fees at own expense.