Cannongate and Holyrood Palace Walking Tour
Tour Description
Tread the route of royals, past and present - and let your expert guide unlock the history of this ancient seat of power. Discover the hidden history of the Canongate, and the glorious Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Discover an approach to the palace that escapes the notice of history books and bus tours. As you walk down the quiet closes of the Canongate your expert guide will show you a different side of the royal city - in rich, engaging detail.
Here, rebellious Jacobites clattered over the cobbles, led by a proud Bonnie Prince Charlie. And Deacon Brodie led his dual life as locksmith and thief, immortalised by Robert Louis Stevenson. In the hands of your gifted storyteller, you'll find that romance and intrigue are everywhere - in the architecture, literature, crime and politics, on the very doorstep of the Queen's Palace.
Your chance to explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
After the Canongate, your guide will introduce the glorious Palace of Holyroodhouse - which you'll explore in your own time. You'll find 14 magnificent state apartments, as well as the romantic ruins of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey.
The palace was the setting for many dramatic episodes in the short reign of Mary, Queen of Scots - and Her Majesty The Queen still makes use of the State Apartments for royal ceremonies.
BOOK THIS TOUR IF YOU'D LIKE TO...
- Journey through the ancient, picturesque burgh of the Canongate
- Meander through beautiful, hidden closes and gardens
- Explore Holyrood Palace, Her Majesty The Queen's official residence in Scotland
- Hear tales of past royal residents including Mary, Queen of Scots
Royal Edinburgh Experience
Prices & Dates
Tour Times
Summer: April - September 10am daily
Winter: October - March 10am daily
Duration:
Including Holyrood Palace: 2 hours
Walk only: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tickets
Including Holyrood Palace: £25.00 adult, £22.00 concession, £15.00 child
Walk only: £13.00 adult, £11.00 concession, £8.00 child
Start: Mercat Cross, High Street
Finish: Holyrood Palace, Canongate
What's Included
Departure & Map
Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions
We are confident you will be delighted with your tour. However, there are some terms which we’d like to draw to your attention...
1. What You Can Expect of Us
- A warm welcome from our staff
- A guide dressed smartly and appropriate to your type of tour
- Staff whose Mercat Tours name badges are clearly visible
- A tour which starts promptly and lasts the time advertised
- A tour which takes you to a variety of locations in and around the High Street
- Stories which are based on the authentic history of Edinburgh
- Stories which are told, as far as possible, in the locations where they occurred
- Stories which are told in an engaging and entertaining way
- A guide who makes an effort to involve the group actively
- A guide who answers your questions or who directs you to where you can find answers to your questions
- A guide who is attentive of your health and safety
- A guide who is unwilling to accept behaviour from any individual that disrupts and spoils the experience of the many
- A company which refuses admission to anyone deemed under the influence of alcohol or drugs
2. What We Expect of You
- That you turn up at the Mercat Cross fifteen minutes before the start of the tour
- That you enter into the spirit of the tour, listening and responding to the stories the guide tells you
- That you reserve questions for the end of stories
- That you are mindful of the health and safety warnings issued by your guide
- That you do not behave in any way that disrupts the tour and impairs the enjoyment of others
3. Your Tickets
- Your ticket is valid only for the tour on which you have booked. It is not transferable. If you miss your tour we will attempt to place you on a later one but customers who have pre-paid for those tours have priority.
- Your ticket is non-refundable. Monies are only re-imbursed when a tour is cancelled by Mercat Tours.
4. Payment
- All pricing is in pounds sterling (GBP). If you have paid from overseas your payment card is charged in pounds sterling at your card issuing bank’s current exchange rate to your local currency. Our tickets include UK Value Added Tax.
- Your personal details and payment card information are held securely and encrypted by our payment card service provider.
