Top Edinburgh Architecture Tours

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

Explore the stunning Scottish Highlands on a full-day excursion that includes Glencoe and Loch Ness. Set out from Edinburgh aboard a comfortable coach to experience some of the area's top sights and attractions. Visit Callander, the "Gateway to the Highlands", learn the fascinating history of Glencoe—a village made famous as a setting for “James Bond” and “Harry Potter” films—and see the world-renowned Loch Ness too.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide.

An Edinburgh bus tour is the perfect way to hear commentary on city sights and get a panoramic overview. This City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh lets you hop on and off at several strategically placed stops as many times as you like. Board the open-top double-decker bus and travel the entire route, or stop at Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum and many more. Buses depart regularly and tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.

Entrance to the castle is included. Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is evidence of a fort here for almost 3000 years, and it has been a royal castle since at least King David I’s reign in the 12th century. The Scottish monarchs continued to use it until 1633, and even saw the birth of King James VI within its walls. Your tour will begin on the esplanade of the castle as you hear your guide talking about the origins of the castle and its sieges. Once inside Edinburgh Castle, the guide will take you through the different parts of the fortress and tell you its fascinating history, including Scotland’s kings and queens. Inside the complex you will find three museums, two prisons, a canine cemetery, the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland, the Great Hall and a Royal Palace. (not accessible during the tour).

Take a personalized tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness on this day trip to the Scottish Highlands. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy a boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers.

Journey through Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on the capital city. Discover the stories and sites of witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions, and hear about local monsters that live in urban myth. Then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous interred.

Get an in-depth perspective on Edinburgh on this guided tour that goes deeper than most. Usually led by a guide with a PhD in Scottish history, this tour offers a journey through Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town from the main thoroughfares to the hidden closes (alleyways) and courtyards. Your guide shares tales of dramatic events in the neighborhood's history, as well as those of the writers, philosophers, and inventors who called the area home.

Delve into Edinburgh’s horrific history on this evening ghost bus tour. With your spooky local guide, visit the city’s most terrifying locations, haunted by infamy and restless spirits! From your seat in a double-decker vintage bus, gaze at eerie sites such as Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, and the Royal Mile. Throughout the trip, hear anecdotes and facts about Edinburgh’s chilling past, replete with bloody executions, unspeakable tortures, and murder.

As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh packs historical monuments, regal landmarks, cultural destinations, and more—and this hop-on hop-off bus tour provides a thorough introduction to the city’s top sights. Board and disembark as and when you wish. On-board commentary will share the stories behind landmarks like the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, and more.

This walking tour of Edinburgh is a great choice for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city and learn more about its history. By exploring the city with a guide, you’ll be able to stop looking at a map and focus on enjoying the sites around you. Your guide will teach you about secret places locals love, as well as the Old Town’s most famous sites. Highlights include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh Castle, and much more. 

Led by your professional Blue Badge guide, explore the historic streets of Edinburgh and take in the atmosphere that keeps tourists visiting the city year after year. View Edinburgh Castle and walk the Royal Mile to where Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament now sits. Spy hidden closes and courtyard parks, and learn about the vivid history of this vibrant city.

So, you arrive in Edinburgh and want to know all about it. You have 3 choices available to you. 1. Go on a guided tour and see all those sights you read about before you came. 2. Walk around aimlessly hoping that the Gods of tourism will guide you. 3. Go to snikkit dot com and see what like minded locals want you to see about their home. Snikkit dot com will show you everything about a place on a simple, easy to use interactive map. The main sites The history The people But also the small stories, the best pubs and bars, where the locals eat and much much more. This is your tour at your own pace and at your convenience. We have done all the homework for you and found and researched all the stories and facts you need for an enlightening self guided tour of Edinburgh's history, architecture, music, ghosts, murders and culture. Once logged in you are the boss, you decide what you want to see and when you want to see it.

Founded in 2022, Queensferry Walking Tours is a passion project by two brothers who want to share their knowledge and love for this special historic town. Elavation: Flat Views: Spectacular Weather: Scottish You and your group will be shown the best parts of the village and gain a true appreciation, through stories and by discovering it’s beautiful Scottish architecture. You will also find the best viewpoints and photo opportunities along the shore, Three Bridges, Waterfront & Village Tour. (South) Queensferry is situated on the Firth of Forth (river forth estuary) approximately 14 miles west of Edinburgh city centre, less than 10 minutes by train. Cruise ships anchor off the coast adjacent the Forth Railway bridge and guests are tendered in to the Hawes Pier. Typically a tour of South Queensferry starts at 10am and finishes at midday, however this can be flexible for larger groups, so please be in touch for bespoke timings.

Discover Edinburgh’s complex history through the lens of its most influential architects, on a 90-minute walk. If you’re curious about the origins of Scottish design then you'll enjoy this self-guided walking tour in the atmospheric Old Town. You’ll explore the fascinating historical buildings that give the area its character, and admire award-winning contemporary architecture like the famous Scottish Parliament. On this audio tour, you’ll meander through narrow closes, beneath stepped gables and turrets, pausing at breathtaking viewpoints. You'll be shown the easy-to-miss details on the buildings, and old maps and drawings. Downloading the tour onto the VoiceMap app to enjoy the tour on location or virtually at home.

Edinburgh’s New Town is straight out of a world history of architecture, with its classical beauty and Georgian past. If you’re interested in hearing more about it then this informative self-guided GPS walking tour is for you. In 90 minutes, you’ll learn how Edinburgh became the largest planned town development in the world – and a "model city" – and in what sense its design and layout made it architecturally ideal. Although its original Georgian fabric has suffered many alterations, you'll see several clear traces of the former neoclassical city and the often-overlooked details in the fanlights and elegant ironwork of the original New Town street lights. You'll see buildings by celebrated British architects like Robert Adam and old maps and drawings. Downloading the tour onto the VoiceMap app to enjoy the tour on location or virtually at home.

Photograph and Discover the incredible History of Leith, one of the most fascinating parts of Edinburgh. Lead by Edinburgh local of 50 years, David Wheater of Adventures In Scotland. Learn about the Royal Kings & Queens who landed here, visit some historic churches & graveyards, learn about one of the first Inuit's to visit Scotland, the Leith author who became bigger than Shakespeare, Leith's very own Rock n' Roll star who outsold Elvis, the aeroplane shop that sold early bi-planes, the Zeppelin bombing raids of WW1 and the golf club at Leith Links, which created the first known rules of golf. There'll be lots of David's hidden gems, many off the beaten track, with lots of history, stories and travel photography tips along the way. All kinds of cameras can be used, including smartphones.

Immerse yourself in Edinburgh the captivating capital of Scotland. As you embark on a private walking tour led by an expert local guide, you'll traverse both its renowned landmarks and hidden treasures. From its designation as a UNESCO City of Literature to its influence on iconic literary figures like Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and even the magical world of Harry Potter, Edinburgh's literary legacy is as enchanting as it is diverse. You will be visiting the heart of the Old Town and meandering through the centuries-old Grassmarket. As you continue along the famous Royal Mile, you'll encounter landmarks that have shaped the city's identity for centuries like George Heriot's School, said to have inspired Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and marvel at the grandeur of St Giles' Cathedral. Your journey will lead you to the imposing Edinburgh Castle, a towering fortress steeped in centuries of royal history and intrigue.

Edinburgh is one of the most ancient cities in England. Memories of the first settlement recall the Roman castrum – fortress – from which has started growing and evolving century by century. Despite time has passed by, the Medieval atmosphere of the cobblestoned streets and dark passages and alleys remains. And probably this is one of the characters that make this city unique in the world. Follow your guide in this journey through the centuries and listen to stories and legends of Edinburgh. Pass by Royal Miles, look at the amazing St. Giles Cathedral, cross the Parliament Square and reach one of the landmarks of the heart of the city: the John Know’s House – a Museum dedicated to the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Last but not the least, peek at the Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish landmark par excellence. During the tour your guide will also provide you useful tips and additional info about the Scottish culture.