Old Town Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s Old Town is best understood on foot, and this tour uses its narrow lanes, churchyards, courts, and Royal Mile closes as a history book you can walk through. You’ll hear about Scottish rebellion at Greyfriars, Parliament Square, Mercat Cross, and Old Parliament House, then follow the Canongate toward Palace of Holyroodhouse and several Outlander filming locations.

I like the costumed guiding, which gives the walk a bit of theater without turning it into a stage show. I also like the mix of major sights and tucked-away places such as Tweeddale Court and Bakehouse Close. The main consideration is weather: the tour requires good conditions, and its non-refundable policy makes a last-minute change harder if your plans shift.

Key points to know before you book

• A two-hour route through Edinburgh’s Old Town: Start at St Giles’ Cathedral and return there after a compact walk along the Royal Mile and Canongate.
• Jacobite and rebellion stories: The focus is Scottish independence, defiance, and the political events that shaped the country.
• Outlander locations included: See places connected with the show, including Jamie’s printing shop location at Bakehouse Close.
• Charlotte leads the walk: She is the owner, guide, and manager of Walk The Old Town, and conducts the tour in handmade historical costume.
• Small-group feel: The maximum group size is 30, with many departures likely feeling more personal when the group is smaller.
• Family-friendly access: Most people can take part, strollers are welcome, and service animals are allowed.

Starting beneath St Giles’ Cathedral

Meet at 10:00 a.m. outside St Giles’ Cathedral on High Street. This places you right in the middle of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, where the Old Town feels most concentrated and where a guide can quickly connect the buildings around you to Scotland’s political past.

The walk begins and ends at the same meeting point. That is useful if you have a later booking, since you are not left on the opposite side of the city trying to find your way back. It also makes the tour easy to fit into a morning before lunch or another Edinburgh sight.

The tour lasts about two hours, despite the promotional wording about seeing a large amount of Edinburgh in one hour. I would plan on the full two hours. You will get more from the walk if you allow time for photos and do not treat it as a hurried orientation.

The group can reach as many as 30 people. That is not an especially tiny limit, but the tour’s strongest praise centers on the intimate feel of smaller groups. If you want a private walk, this is not advertised as one. If you want a lively shared outing with room for questions, it should suit you well.

Greyfriars Kirkyard and the stories of defiance

Greyfriars Kirkyard brings the tour’s theme into focus. The cemetery is tied to covenant legends and the religious and political struggles that shook Scotland. Here, the guide can move beyond dates and names and explain how ideas about loyalty, faith, and independence affected ordinary people.

This is one of the tour’s better choices because a churchyard is not just a backdrop. It gives the stories a physical setting. You are walking among old stones while hearing about people who challenged authority, rather than receiving the same information inside a museum room.

The cemetery is also a good place for the guide’s storytelling style. Charlotte is described as funny, friendly, and enthusiastic, with a strong command of Scottish history and Outlander. Her period clothing adds visual flavor, especially in a setting where the past is already close at hand.

Still, you should expect a walking tour, not a full historical lecture. The guide has two hours to cover a large number of places. Some subjects will receive a brisk explanation rather than a long discussion, particularly if the group stops for photos or questions.

Parliament Square and Old Parliament House

From Greyfriars, the route takes in Parliament Square, where debates about Scottish independence took place, and Old Parliament House, connected with plots and political opposition. These stops help explain why Edinburgh’s Old Town was more than a collection of handsome buildings.

The value here is the connection between streets and events. Parliament Square is a place you might otherwise cross quickly on the way to another attraction. With a guide, it becomes part of a larger account of Scotland’s political arguments and repeated resistance to outside control.

Old Parliament House adds another layer. The tour presents it as a place where rebels planned, which fits the walk’s central theme of defiance. You will not simply hear about kings and grand ceremonies. The emphasis is on conflict, choices, and the people who challenged the accepted order.

I would listen for the guide’s explanations of how the Jacobite period fits into the wider story. The tour focuses on Jacobite history through the last few centuries, so it should be a useful first orientation if you know the word Outlander but are less familiar with the real events behind it.

Mercat Cross and the public life of the Royal Mile

Mercat Cross was a public center where proclamations were made. The tour uses it to explain how news, authority, and public freedom were displayed in old Edinburgh.

This is a valuable stop because it gives you a sense of how the Royal Mile once worked. The street was not merely a route between Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse. It was a place where political messages reached the public and where the city’s civic life unfolded in the open.

The Royal Mile can feel crowded and commercial today, particularly around its most famous stretches. A guide helps you look past shops and souvenir signs to the older purpose of the street. Charlotte’s costume and storytelling give the route a clear period identity, while her practical knowledge of the city can help you decide where to go after the walk.

A full day in Edinburgh can easily become a list of attractions. This stop helps you slow down and understand the street itself. You will still be standing in a busy central thoroughfare, but you will have a stronger reason to notice its courts, closes, and old civic buildings.

Niddry Street and the overlooked corners of Old Town

Niddry Street brings the route away from the most obvious Royal Mile sights. Its hidden tales are part of what makes this tour different from a basic city-center orientation.

I like this change of pace. Famous landmarks are useful for your first Edinburgh visit, but smaller streets often make the city easier to remember. Niddry Street gives the guide room to tell stories that may not be obvious from the architecture alone.

The route also includes Tweeddale Court, a more secretive corner of the Old Town. These smaller spaces matter because they show how much of Edinburgh is concealed just off the main street. You may pass them without knowing their significance if you explore alone.

There is a practical point to keep in mind. Edinburgh’s Old Town is built on steep streets, steps, and uneven surfaces, though the supplied accessibility information says most people can participate and the tour is stroller-friendly. If you use a stroller, you should still expect an old urban setting rather than smooth modern paths throughout.

Royal Canongate and Mary Queen of Scots

The route continues along Royal Canongate, where Mary Queen of Scots once walked. This section shifts the story from public rebellion and parliamentary conflict to royal movement through the Old Town.

Canongate is especially useful as a transition toward the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It shows that Edinburgh’s history is not confined to the castle end of the Royal Mile. The eastern stretch has its own identity and links political history with royal history.

The tour then reaches Canongate Cemetery near the palace. Its setting gives the walk a quieter, more reflective section after the busier central streets. The cemetery is also linked to Outlander filming, so fans of the show get a clear connection between the real city and its screen version.

For fans, the appeal is not just spotting a familiar location. The guide explains the historical setting around it, helping you separate the real Jacobite story from the drama created for television. That makes the stop useful even if your interest in Outlander is casual.

Bakehouse Close and the Outlander connection

Bakehouse Close is one of the tour’s most specific screen locations. It includes the site used as Jamie’s printing shop, a detail that will matter greatly to Outlander fans.

This is likely the point where show followers get the most direct recognition. You can see how a real Edinburgh close was adapted for the series, then hear about the historical setting that gives the location its character.

The tour does not appear to be only an Outlander filming-location walk. Its main subject is Scottish rebellion and Jacobite history, with the show used as an added connection. That balance is important. If you want a route devoted almost entirely to filming trivia, another specialist tour may suit you better. If you want the real history first and Outlander as a bridge into it, this format makes good sense.

The narrow closes also reveal why a guide is useful. Their names and appearances can blur together when you explore quickly. A guide can point out exactly what you are seeing, explain its role in the show, and place it in Edinburgh’s older story.

Bagpipes, costume, and Charlotte’s guiding style

Bagpipe music is included as part of the experience, adding a distinctly Scottish sound to the walk. The costumed presentation is another strong feature. Charlotte wears authentic handmade costume, and the clothing helps mark the tour as a historical walk rather than a generic route through the Old Town.

The praise for Charlotte is unusually consistent. She is described as engaging, easy to connect with, funny, friendly, and generous with time for photographs. She also owns and manages Walk The Old Town, so this is a small operation built around one guide rather than a large roster of interchangeable staff.

That can be an advantage if you value personal contact. Charlotte is reported to communicate well before the event, remain cheerful in cold and rain, and offer suggestions for places to visit afterward. Her enthusiasm appears to be a central part of the experience, not just a detail in the booking information.

It can also create a limitation. Since the company is closely tied to its owner and guide, the experience depends heavily on her availability and style. If you prefer a quiet, strictly academic presentation, the costume, music, and lively delivery may feel more theatrical than you want. For families and first-time visitors, that energy is likely to make the subject easier to follow.

What the $24.72 price gives you

At $24.72 per person, this is a modestly priced way to get a two-hour orientation to the Old Town. Admission to the walking tour itself is included, and the route covers several places that you can continue to revisit on your own afterward.

The value is strongest when you are new to Edinburgh. A good opening walk can save you from treating the Royal Mile as one long street of shops. You will leave with a better sense of where Greyfriars, Parliament Square, Canongate, Bakehouse Close, and Holyroodhouse fit together.

The price is also reasonable for an Outlander fan who wants more than a photo stop. The tour links the printing-shop location and other filming sites to Scottish political history, which gives the screen locations more meaning.

The tour has a current rating of 4.8 out of 5, with 100 percent recommendation based on 17 ratings. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. The most praised qualities are clear, though: Charlotte’s presentation, the depth of information delivered in a short time, the costume, the small-group atmosphere, and the chance to see locations that are easy to miss.

Weather, clothing, and practical planning

This is an outdoor walking tour, and the weather requirement matters. It may be canceled in poor weather, in which case you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the tour runs, you should be ready for cold, rain, and changing conditions. One cold-weather outing was still described as rewarding, but that is a reminder to dress for Edinburgh rather than for the calendar.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after booking. I would book only when you are reasonably sure the date fits your schedule. The tour is often booked about 57 days ahead, so advance planning may be useful, especially if your Edinburgh visit is short.

Confirmation arrives when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and strollers are permitted, though the historic streets may still require care.

English is the only stated tour language. If you need another language, this activity is not presented as a multilingual option.

Who should choose this Old Town walk?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time Edinburgh visitors who want a fast, story-led orientation.
• Outlander fans who want to see filming places while learning the real Scottish background.
• Families who prefer an active tour with costume, music, and clear storytelling.
• History-minded visitors interested in Jacobite conflict, rebellion, and Scottish identity.
• Anyone who enjoys small-company tours led by the owner rather than a large commercial team.

You may want to choose another activity if you need a fully accessible modern route, a private group, a non-English guide, or a tour that focuses only on architecture. The route is described as stroller-friendly, but Edinburgh’s historic streets can still be demanding. You should also skip it if you cannot commit to the date, since personal cancellations do not receive a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Edinburgh’s Old Town explained through people, political arguments, royal footsteps, and Outlander locations. The combination is more useful than a simple list of landmarks, and Charlotte’s costume and lively style give the walk a clear personality.

The best reason to choose it is the balance of major stops and lesser-known corners. You get Greyfriars, Parliament Square, Mercat Cross, and Canongate, but also Tweeddale Court, Niddry Street, and Bakehouse Close. At $24.72, that is solid value for a two-hour introduction.

Just plan around the weather and the firm cancellation terms. If you can manage those conditions, this is a practical first walk for understanding Edinburgh before you spend the rest of your visit exploring on your own.

FAQ

Where does the Old Town Walking Tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour finish?

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

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $24.72 per person.

Does the tour include Outlander filming locations?

Yes. The route includes Bakehouse Close, the location used for Jamie’s printing shop, along with other Outlander filming locations.

Is the tour suitable for families and strollers?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for the whole family and stroller-friendly. Most people can participate.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Personal cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.