Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh Castle, Old Town and Greyfriars
Private Tour
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Tour ID:1506
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Tour theme:Historic and Cultural Tours,
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Duration:1/2 Day - 4 hours approx
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Starts from:Edinburgh
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Tour Description
Join Go Scotland Tours on this half day walking tour of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town. Edinburgh Old town has a rich and sometimes dark history. Let us guide you through the narrow closes and streets to reach the mighty Edinburgh Castle. This tour is a great introduction to the city. When the tour is done you will have the rest of the day to explore the castle and old town more in-depth, shop for fine woolen goods on the high street, or perhaps have a pub lunch. If you are staying in the city centre your private guide will meet you at your hotel or at a designated meeting point on the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh Old Town...
In the old town of Edinburgh we will explore the important sights that have made the town what it is today. This will include the Tron Kirk, Mercat Cross, Heart of Midlothian and St Giles area. In the medieval times Edinburgh was a large open air market place. They centred around the Mercat Cross where announcements were made as well as public punishments such as whipping. Attached the the big cathedral were lucken booths (locked booths) used by the merchants. Long gone now the Tolbooth was used as a jail for condemned prisoners. In it's place is the markings of a Heart in which people now still spit in as they pass, so watch your step!
We then walk through the narrow alleyways called closes and learn the meaning of Auld Reekie. In the past Old Edinburgh was a walled city with tall buildings to accommodate the tight-knit population. But instead of plumbing they had buckets that they used to throw their waste out the window and yelled Gardy Loo to warn the passers below. Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes as there will be stairs and cobblestone.
Greyfriars and Harry Potter...
Continuing the tour we make our way to Greyfriars Kirkyard which was home to Edinburgh's hero dog, Bobby. His statue is outside and great photo opportunity. The graveyard itself holds many interesting stories, from the paranormal to Harry Potter. J K Rowlings spent quite a bit of time here and used the names on the Grave Stones for her first book. Such as MacGonagall and Thomas Riddell, aka Voldemort. Near by is the Elephant House Cafe, deemed the Birthplace of Harry Potter here as she wrote some of her first pages in the cafe.
The graveyard also has an evil spirit who goes by the name of Bloody Mackenzie. His poltergeist is said to haunt a gated of area called the Covenanter's prison. In the 18th century the graveyard saw many body snatchers who dug bodies up to sell to the medical professors. We then make our way to Grassmarket which was the place of many Inns, a place of execution, and home of the notorious murderers Burke and Hare.
Edinburgh Castle...
We finally reach the impregnable Edinburgh Castle for a person guided tour. Standing on top of an extinct volcano it offers great views of the city and surroundings. In the 18th century the castle was transformed into a military barracks which is still in use today. If we time it right we maybe able to view the firing of the One O'Clock Gun. But Edinburgh castle has a much longer history then this. It is said that the summit has been a dwelling for life for at least 3000 years. In 1314 it was occupied by the English during the Wars until Robert the Bruce's nephew, Thomas Randolph, scaled the walls to take the castle by sneak attack.
Continuing up the cobblestones we head towards St Margaret's Chapel which is the oldest building in Edinburgh. Queen Margaret was the wife of Malcolm Canmore and one of our Scottish Saints. In front of the chapel is the giant medieval cannon Mon's Meg. We will end the tour at crown square to give you time to explore the War Memorial, Great Hall and Crown Jewels on your own. We hope you enjoy the rest of the day in Scotland's Captial!
This is a private tour of Edinburgh and can be customized to your request. For more details contact us.
Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh Castle, Old Town and Greyfriars, Harry Potter and Grassmarket
Prices & Dates
This is a private tour and prices and details are available upon request.
The prices for this tour will depend on your group size and itinerary.
Half-Day = 4 to 5 hours
Full-Day = 8 to 9 hours
Contact us for more details
We are also happy to organise a tour for a larger groups.
For more details contact us now!
What's Included
On our private tours you will benefit from qualified guide that will take you inside the historic monuments on an interior tour. All of our private tours include the services of a Blue Badge Tourist Guide accredited by the Scottish Tourist Guide Association.
The Scottish Tourist Guides Association is the accrediting body for professional Tourist Guides in Scotland and awards the Blue Badge, a registered Coat of Arms, which can ONLY be worn by members of STGA. It is recognised as the badge of quality throughout the tourist profession.
Departure & Map
Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions
NOTICE TO TRAVELLERS
You should be aware that Scotland has particular features which may or may not appeal to you, including weather, food, local customs, etc. There are different living standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation. By buying the particular travel service you have selected, we assume that you have made all reasonable inquiries about the travel service.
TOUR INFORMATION
The outline of the itinerary must be taken as an indication of what each Group should accomplish and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Go Scotland Tours. Any changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, delays, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances. No refund will be given for services not fulfilled. It is a fundamental condition of joining the tour described in the itinerary that you accept this flexibility and acknowledge that delays and alterations with resulting consequences, comfort or disappointments are possible.
TOUR INSURANCE PROTECTION
To protect yourself against cancellation charges, we highly recommend that you purchase Travel & Medical Insurance for your added protection and convenience. We accept no responsibilities for these items.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
Below are the standard terms of cancellations. For regular tours please refer to each tours individual terms when making the booking online. Be-spoke services terms may vary and change.
Be-spoke (Private) 1 Day Services; private services of only 1 day (tours, transfers, etc..) are non-refundable 1 week prior.
Be-spoke (Private) Multi-day Services; A 75% refund (25% of package price or £200 GBP if 10% of the price lower, the deposit is non-refundable) will be made if cancellations are received a minimum of 60 Days prior to the Tour departure. From 59 to 30 Days 50% of the tour cost is non-refundable. From 30 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour cost is non-refundable.
UNUSED SERVICES
In case of you are canceling any portion of the tour while en route, there are no refunds for pre-booked hotels, sightseeing tours or any other services or costs. Note: No refunds are made for any unused services including accommodations, sightseeing tours, transportation, etc. with or without notice and the above schedule lists cancellation penalties in effect from time of reservation on any tour or extension. Go Scotland Tours is not responsible for cancelations or delays caused by forces of nature or airlines or cruise line.
CHANGES OF BOOKING
Be-spoke services; Changes made 30 or more days prior of tour start date non-refundable fee of £85 GBP will be charged. Changes made within 30 of tour start date non-refundable fee of £115 GBP.
Regular tours; no charge for changes
Note; charges may vary then what is specified above. This will be discussed at time of change.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY
No changes can be made in the itinerary as set out in the itinerary once travel has commenced unless confirmed by the Tour organizers in accordance with the provisions listed here.
CHANGE OF HOTELS OR SERVICES
Go Scotland Tours. reserves the right to substitute hotels listed for others of a similar category. In the event of any program or hotel changes while you are on the tour, you will be immediately informed and booked in another hotel of the same category. Any costs incurred due to changes made by the tour participants or due to additional services requested will be borne by the tour participants.
RESPONSIBILITY
Go Scotland Tours., provide means of fully insured and licensed transportation, and act as agents contracting hotels, meals, or other services and receipts issued are subject to all terms and conditions under which such services are offered or provided. The acceptance of all such documents shall be deemed as consent. Further, Go Scotland Tours. shall assume no responsibility in any way for any injury, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by either reason or default of any company, agent or person engaged in carrying our arrangements for the tour. Further no responsibility can be accepted for any additional expenses incurred by the passengers due to delays, omissions, rerouting, changes in the schedule of the airlines or other events resulting from improper documents carried by the passenger, or by any act of government or any authority, strikes, civil disturbances, political unrest, acts of God and any act or omission or event while the passengers are not aboard their conveyances. The passenger contract in use when issued by the airline/s concerned shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser of this tour and/or other passengers.
ITINERARY, ACCOMMODATIONS AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
