Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Old Town is best understood on foot, and this tour packs a surprising amount into two hours. You’ll move from St Giles’ Cathedral down the Royal Mile and into courtyards, closes, cemeteries, and political corners tied to Scotland’s rebellious past. The Outlander connections add a playful screen-to-street angle, but the main subject is Edinburgh itself.

I like the costumed guiding, which gives the walk a sense of occasion without turning it into a stage show. I also like the compact route: Greyfriars Kirkyard, Parliament Square, Mercat Cross, Canongate, and several lesser-known closes give you a strong first look at the Old Town. The main consideration is that the tour runs in English, outside in Scottish weather, and may include up to 30 people.

Key points at a glance

• Charlotte brings the history to life: She is praised for clear storytelling, humor, warmth, and strong knowledge of Scottish and Outlander history.
• The route covers major and tucked-away sites: See Greyfriars Kirkyard, Parliament Square, Mercat Cross, Niddry Street, Tweeddale Court, Bakehouse Close, and Canongate Cemetery.
• Outlander fans get real filming locations: Bakehouse Close and the area near Canongate Cemetery connect the walk with the show.
• The tour focuses on rebellion and independence: Jacobite stories, freedom proclamations, political debate, and plots against authority shape the route.
• Small-group feel is possible, but the cap is 30: The experience is marketed as intimate, yet the official maximum allows for a fairly large group.
• It is easy to fit into a sightseeing day: Start at 10:00 am outside St Giles’ Cathedral and finish back at the same meeting point after about two hours.

Start at St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile

Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral, on High Street, at 10:00 am. This is a useful starting point because you are already in the heart of the Old Town, close to major sights, public transport, shops, and cafés.

From here, the walk sets out along the Royal Mile and into the lanes that branch away from it. The route is not simply a march from one famous building to the next. It uses places where political arguments, religious conflict, royal power, and ordinary city life overlapped.

Your guide may be in handmade historical costume, a detail that gives the tour a clear identity. Charlotte, the named owner and guide connected with Walk The Old Town, is especially associated with this style. Her approach is friendly and energetic, with room for questions and photographs rather than a nonstop lecture.

Greyfriars Kirkyard and the stories behind the stones

Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the tour’s strongest stops. Its old gravestones and enclosed paths provide the setting for stories about the Covenanters, religious conflict, and the people who resisted royal control.

The important point is not just that the cemetery is old. It is a place where Scotland’s arguments over faith and authority became personal. A good guide can turn names on stones and local legends into a clear account of why these struggles still matter to Scottish identity.

You should allow for the fact that a cemetery walk is atmospheric rather than polished sightseeing. The ground may feel uneven, and the mood is more somber than the brighter parts of the Royal Mile. Still, this is exactly the kind of place that benefits from a guide. Without context, you might pass through, take a few photographs, and miss the stories attached to it.

Parliament Square and Old Parliament House

The route continues to Parliament Square and Old Parliament House, where the focus shifts from religious resistance to political debate and rebellion. Parliament Square is tied to discussions about Scottish independence, while Old Parliament House features in stories of plotting and opposition.

These stops help you see Edinburgh as a seat of argument, not only as a collection of grand stone buildings. The tour’s Jacobite emphasis gives the political stories a clear thread, linking earlier struggles to the later attempts to restore the Stuart line.

I like this part of the walk because it gives you useful orientation. You are not only hearing dates and names. You are seeing the places where power was debated, challenged, and defended. The guide’s job is to keep the story moving, and Charlotte’s reviews point to a style that uses humor and enthusiasm rather than a dry list of events.

Mercat Cross and the public voice of Edinburgh

At Mercat Cross, the tour turns toward public ceremony and public speech. Freedom proclamations were announced here, making it a natural place to discuss how news and political messages reached the people of Edinburgh.

This stop also shows why the Old Town works so well as a walking route. Important events took place in ordinary public spaces, close to markets, churches, homes, and working streets. You do not need a museum display to understand the basic idea. The setting itself helps explain how public life functioned.

If you enjoy history in short, vivid episodes, you will probably like this section. If you prefer long time to study architecture or read plaques, the pace may feel quick. The tour aims to give you a broad orientation in two hours, not an extended examination of every building.

Niddry Street and the Old Town’s less obvious stories

Niddry Street brings the walk away from the most familiar section of the Royal Mile. The tour uses its lesser-known tales to show that the Old Town is more than the main street and its souvenir shops.

This is one reason I would choose the walk early in an Edinburgh visit. You get a clearer sense of the side streets and closes you might otherwise ignore. Once the tour ends, you can return to these areas with more confidence and notice how much city life is hidden just beyond the main route.

The details supplied for the route do not promise entry into every building or close, so you should think of this as an outdoor orientation. The value comes from seeing the locations and hearing what happened there, not from a series of indoor admissions.

Tweeddale Court and Bakehouse Close

Tweeddale Court adds another tucked-away setting to the route. These enclosed passages are a good reminder that Edinburgh’s Old Town is built in layers, with courtyards and narrow connections sitting just behind the main thoroughfare.

Bakehouse Close is likely to be a highlight for Outlander fans. It was used as a filming location for Jamie’s printing shop, and the setting has a strong connection to the show. You can enjoy it as a fan moment, but the place also works without television knowledge because it shows the scale and texture of the old city.

I would keep your expectations sensible. This is a filming location visit during a wider walking tour, not a dedicated Outlander tour with a long list of production details. The show is an added thread within a broader account of Jacobite Scotland and Edinburgh’s past.

Canongate, Mary Queen of Scots, and the final stretch

The walk continues along the Royal Canongate, an area linked with Mary Queen of Scots and the long development of Edinburgh beyond the central Old Town. The route then reaches Canongate Cemetery near the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Canongate Cemetery adds a quieter, more reflective finish. It also has another Outlander connection, so fans get more than one chance to recognize places used on screen. For everyone else, the cemetery and surrounding Canongate area provide a change from the crowded Royal Mile and a useful sense of where the Old Town meets the royal quarter.

The route ends back at the meeting point rather than leaving you at Holyroodhouse. That is practical if you want to continue sightseeing from the Royal Mile, though you should remember that the walk does not include admission to St Giles’ Cathedral, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or other attractions along the way. The tour’s admission is free in the sense that no separate site ticket is listed, but the tour price itself is $24.72 per person.

Bagpipes, costume, and a guide who keeps the pace lively

Bagpipe music is included as part of the atmosphere, and the historical costume helps mark this as more than a standard city orientation. These touches can sound theatrical on paper, but they have a practical use: they help separate the tour from the many walks competing for your attention on the Royal Mile.

The strongest praise is directed at Charlotte. She is described as funny, friendly, easy to engage with, and able to explain Scottish history and Outlander connections with enthusiasm. Her communication before the tour is also praised, and she has continued in the role of owner, guide, and manager of Walk The Old Town.

That personal connection matters. A small independent operation can feel more direct than a large sightseeing company, and Charlotte’s replies show that she takes the experience seriously. At the same time, you should not assume Charlotte personally leads every departure unless your booking confirms it. The tour information identifies her clearly, but it also describes the experience more generally as being led by an expert costumed guide.

What two hours and $24.72 really buy you

At $24.72, this is a reasonable price for a two-hour guided walk in central Edinburgh. You are paying for structure, local explanation, and access to a route that connects famous sites with less obvious corners. You are not paying for meals, museum admission, transport, or entry into the historic buildings mentioned along the way.

The value is strongest if you are new to Edinburgh or want historical context before sightseeing on your own. A guide can help you understand why Parliament Square matters, why Mercat Cross is significant, and why the Royal Mile’s side lanes deserve attention.

The tour is also useful for an Outlander-focused visit, though the show is not the only subject. If you want nothing but filming locations, a specialized tour might suit you better. If you want a well-rounded introduction with Jacobite history and a few recognizable scenes, this walk gives you more range.

The experience is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 57 days. That does not mean every date sells out, but it suggests that you should reserve before your trip if the 10:00 am start is important to your plans.

Group size, weather, and practical comfort

The maximum group size is 30. That is not especially tiny, so your experience will depend partly on the actual number booked and how well the guide manages the group. The tour has been praised for an intimate feel when numbers are smaller, but you should not book it expecting a private walk.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people and stroller-friendly. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Since the route is outdoors and takes about two hours, wear shoes you can walk in and bring a waterproof layer. Scottish weather has a habit of changing its mind, and the experience requires good weather.

If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is the key policy to note before paying, especially if your schedule is uncertain.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and the activity is offered in English. No special transport is needed during the tour, since it begins and ends at St Giles’ Cathedral.

Who will enjoy this Old Town walk most

I would suggest this tour to you if you fit one of these groups:

• You have only a short time in Edinburgh and want a strong first orientation.
• You like political and military history presented through specific places.
• You are an Outlander fan who also wants Scottish history beyond the television plot.
• You prefer a guide with personality and a historical costume rather than an audio guide.
• You are visiting with family and want an outdoor activity that does not require a long museum visit.
• You want to learn the city’s layout before exploring on your own.

You may want something else if you need a private group, a wheelchair-specific route confirmation, indoor shelter, or a tour focused only on architecture. The available information supports stroller access and participation for most people, but it does not provide detailed step-free route information.

Should you book the Old Town Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a lively two-hour introduction to Edinburgh with real places, strong Jacobite themes, and several Outlander filming locations. Charlotte’s warmth, humor, costume, and ability to explain complicated history in an approachable way are the biggest reasons to choose it.

Think of the walk as a well-paced orientation rather than a full attraction pass. You will see a great deal, hear the stories that connect it, and finish ready to explore more of the Old Town independently. At $24.72, that is good value, provided you are comfortable walking outdoors, joining a group of up to 30, and accepting the strict cancellation terms.

FAQ

Where does the Old Town Walking Tour start?

The tour starts at St Giles’ Cathedral on High Street in Edinburgh, Scotland.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $24.72 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include Outlander filming locations?

Yes. The route includes Bakehouse Close and Canongate Cemetery, which are connected with Outlander filming. The tour also includes Jamie’s printing shop location.

Is the tour suitable for families and strollers?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for the whole family and stroller-friendly. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.