Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Old Town is best understood on foot, and this tour gives you a lively route through its most story-packed streets. You’ll hear about covenant rebels at Greyfriars Kirkyard, political plots near Parliament Square, freedom proclamations at Mercat Cross, and Outlander locations such as Bakehouse Close. The guide wears an authentic handmade costume, so the past gets a little more theatrical without turning into a history lecture.

I like the strong Jacobite focus, which gives the walk a clear purpose, and I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 30 people and frequent time for photos. Charlotte, the owner and guide, receives especially warm praise for her humor, warmth, and command of Scottish history. The main caution is weather: Edinburgh rain and cold can make two hours on foot hard, and the tour is non-refundable unless poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours on the Royal Mile and beyond: This is a proper walking tour, not a quick photo stop.
• Outlander filming locations: See Bakehouse Close, the place associated with Jamie’s printing shop, plus other locations tied to the show.
• Jacobite and rebellion stories: The route focuses on Scotland’s struggles, political arguments, and defiant characters.
• Charlotte’s personal touch: She owns and runs Walk The Old Town, and her costume, humor, and enthusiasm shape the experience.
• Central meeting point: Begin at St Giles’ Cathedral on High Street and finish back at the same place.
• Weather matters: The experience requires good weather, and cancellations for poor conditions bring a date change or full refund.

Why this Old Town walk works so well

Edinburgh’s Old Town can feel like a maze of steep lanes, close-packed buildings, churchyards, and grand public spaces. A good guide turns that maze into a sequence of connected stories. This walk does that by keeping its attention on rebellion, Scottish identity, Jacobite history, and the places later used in Outlander.

The route is especially useful on a first day in Edinburgh. You see a large part of the Old Town, get your bearings along the Royal Mile, and collect ideas for places to visit after the walk. One participant arrived with a large group and received suggestions for what to see next, which is a practical bonus when your time in the city is short.

The tour information includes a reference to seeing Edinburgh in just one hour, but the stated duration is approximately two hours. Plan on the full two hours. That gives the guide time to tell stories, pause for pictures, and cover the route without racing from one stop to the next.

Starting at St Giles’ Cathedral

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral, on High Street, at 10:00 in the morning. This is a very central starting point on the Royal Mile, so it is easy to connect with the rest of your Edinburgh plans.

The cathedral itself provides a fitting opening point. From here, the Old Town spreads uphill and downhill in a jumble of lanes and historic buildings. The walk quickly shifts from the familiar Royal Mile to places where political and religious conflict shaped the city.

Since the meeting point is in the heart of Edinburgh, allow enough time to arrive without rushing. You will be on foot for the entire activity, and the route includes historic streets and courtyards rather than a flat, purpose-built path.

Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Covenant stories

Greyfriars Kirkyard brings the tour’s rebellious theme into focus. The cemetery is tied to the Covenanters, a group whose religious and political resistance became part of Scotland’s national story.

This stop is not simply a stroll among old gravestones. The guide explains the defiant stories behind the covenant legends and connects them to the wider conflicts that shaped Scotland. That kind of context matters because Edinburgh’s Old Town can otherwise seem like a collection of attractive stone buildings without a clear thread.

A cemetery visit also gives the walk a change of pace. After the crowds and shops of the Royal Mile, you get a quieter setting where the stories can carry more weight. If you enjoy atmosphere, old burial grounds, and tales of political resistance, this should be one of the more memorable sections.

Parliament Square and Old Parliament House

The next part of the route turns toward the places where power was argued and challenged. Parliament Square is linked with debates over Scottish independence, while Old Parliament House is presented as a place where rebels plotted.

The value here lies in connecting political ideas to actual streets and buildings. You are not only hearing that Scotland had long-running disputes with authority. You are standing in the locations associated with those disputes.

The guide’s style is important at this point. The walk is designed to be informative without becoming dry, and Charlotte is repeatedly praised for making complex Scottish history easy to follow. Her humor and friendly manner should help keep the political material moving, especially if you are traveling with children or with people who do not usually seek out formal history tours.

Mercat Cross and Edinburgh’s public voice

Mercat Cross is one of the route’s most vivid stops. In the past, proclamations were made here, including declarations connected with freedom and public authority.

A market cross was not an isolated monument. It was a place where people gathered and heard news, official statements, and political messages. That makes it a useful point for understanding how information moved through an older city.

This is also the sort of stop where a costumed guide can add atmosphere. Charlotte’s handmade outfit gives the walk a visual link to the past, while the story explains why the place mattered. The costume does not replace the facts, but it helps the presentation feel like a guided experience rather than a list of dates.

Niddry Street and the Old Town’s side stories

Niddry Street brings you away from the most obvious Royal Mile sights and into the hidden side of Edinburgh’s historic core. The tour promises lesser-known tales here, which is one of its strengths.

The Old Town is full of narrow passages, tucked-away courts, and streets that are easy to pass without noticing. A guide can point out how these spaces fit into Edinburgh’s political and social past. You might find this section more rewarding than another explanation of a famous landmark because it helps you read the city itself.

It is worth keeping your eyes open between stops. The route is not only about the named locations. The close-set buildings and tight lanes are part of the experience, and the guide’s commentary gives them meaning.

Royal Canongate and Mary Queen of Scots

The walk continues along the Royal Canongate, a section of the Old Town connected with Mary Queen of Scots. The route then moves toward the area near the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

This section broadens the story beyond Jacobite rebellion. Mary Queen of Scots adds another layer of royal politics, religious tension, and personal drama. The tour’s focus remains on Scottish identity and conflict, but the route also shows how different periods overlap in the same compact part of Edinburgh.

That is one reason I would suggest taking this walk early in your stay. You gain a useful framework for later visits to Holyroodhouse and other historic sites. The tour does not replace those attractions, but it can make them easier to place in time and context.

Tweeddale Court and Bakehouse Close

Tweeddale Court is one of the more secretive locations on the route. These enclosed spaces show why a walking tour can reveal more than a standard city overview. From the main road, it is easy to miss the courts and closes that hold some of the Old Town’s best atmosphere.

Bakehouse Close is likely to be a highlight for Outlander fans. The tour includes actual filming locations, and one guide-led visit included a view of Jamie’s printing shop. Fans should still think of this as a history walk first, with television connections woven through it, not as a tour built only around screen locations.

That balance is useful. You get the pleasure of recognizing locations from the show, while also hearing about the real places and events that inspired the setting. If you have never watched Outlander, the stops should still make sense because the guide explains the history behind them.

Canongate Cemetery and the final stretch

Near the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate Cemetery adds another atmospheric stop. The cemetery is described as haunting, and it fits the tour’s interest in rebellion, memory, and the people who shaped Scotland.

The final stretch gives the route a strong sense of place. You are near one of Edinburgh’s major royal landmarks, but the focus remains on the smaller streets, burial grounds, and stories that are easy to miss when you only visit headline attractions.

Bagpipe music is also part of the experience. The tour does not give a detailed schedule for when it happens, so treat it as one of the planned touches rather than a guaranteed full performance at a particular stop. It adds a distinctly Scottish note to an already atmospheric walk.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easy to continue along the Royal Mile, visit another central attraction, or return to a hotel in the Old Town.

What Charlotte adds to the experience

Charlotte is the named guide in the strongest praise, and she is also the sole owner, guide, and manager of Walk The Old Town. That matters because the tour has a personal feel. You are not simply joining a large company program with an interchangeable script.

Her main strengths are presentation and warmth. She is described as funny, friendly, engaging, and enthusiastic, with a talent for making history easy to follow. She also makes time for photos, which is useful when the route passes through visually striking courts, cemeteries, and Royal Mile locations.

Her costume is another part of the appeal. It is authentic and handmade, not just a small accessory added for a picture. The outfit helps establish the mood from the start and gives children a clear visual hook.

The group limit is 30 people. That is not an ultra-small private tour, but it is still more manageable than a large city walk. The guide can keep a group together, answer questions, and pause for photographs. The exact feel will depend on how many people book for your date.

Price, pace, and overall value

At $24.72 per person, the tour is priced as an accessible introduction to Edinburgh rather than a major premium attraction. You are paying for about two hours of guiding, local orientation, historical interpretation, and access to a planned route through several Old Town locations.

I think the value is strongest if you want a clear first look at Edinburgh and prefer stories to a simple landmark checklist. The route covers a lot of ground, and the guide connects places that you might otherwise see separately. It can also help you decide where to spend the rest of your day.

The price is less compelling if you want entry inside major paid attractions. This is an outdoor walking activity, and the admission ticket is free because the value comes from the guide and the route, not from access to a museum or palace interior.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 57 days. That suggests you should reserve early if the 10:00 start fits your schedule, especially during a busy Edinburgh visit.

Who should take this walk

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time visitors who want a fast orientation to the Old Town
• People interested in Jacobite history and Scottish rebellion
• Outlander fans who want to connect the show with real Edinburgh locations
• Families looking for an outdoor activity with a lively guide
• Visitors who enjoy cemeteries, closes, political stories, and old city atmosphere
• Anyone with only a short stay who wants one guided introduction

The tour is listed as suitable for the whole family and stroller-friendly. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Still, you should remember that this is a two-hour walk through an old city center, not a seated activity.

It may not suit you if you dislike outdoor tours, need a fully flat route, or want a detailed visit inside Edinburgh’s major buildings. It also requires a sensible plan for Scottish weather. Bring clothing that can handle rain and cold, even if the morning begins dry.

Practical details that affect your decision

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity begins at 10:00 at St Giles’ Cathedral.

The cancellation rule is strict. You cannot receive a refund or change the booking simply because your plans change. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

That policy makes early planning important. Check the forecast before booking if your schedule is flexible, and avoid placing the tour on the same day as an important timed attraction. The walking route may finish at the meeting point after roughly two hours, but you should still leave breathing room for delays, photo stops, and the pace of your group.

Should you book the Old Town Walking Tour?

Book it if you want history with personality, especially if Jacobite stories and Outlander locations appeal to you. Charlotte’s role as owner and guide gives the tour a personal quality, while the costume, bagpipe music, photo pauses, and small-group format keep it from feeling like a dry lecture.

I would make it an early Edinburgh activity. It gives you a useful map of the Old Town, introduces places such as Greyfriars Kirkyard and Bakehouse Close, and leaves you near the Royal Mile when it ends.

Skip it if you want indoor attractions, a private guide, or complete shelter from the weather. For everyone else, the reasonable price and focused route make this a smart way to get acquainted with Edinburgh’s older streets and its long tradition of arguing with authority.

FAQ

How long does the Old Town Walking Tour last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours. One promotional highlight refers to seeing Edinburgh in one hour, but you should plan for the full two-hour activity.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at St Giles’ Cathedral.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include Outlander filming locations?

Yes. The route includes actual filming locations, including Bakehouse Close. The tour also includes the location associated with Jamie’s printing shop.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.