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Two men in tweed walk the Esplanade below Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh

Edinburgh Guided Tour

A three-hour walking tour of the Royal Mile and the Old Town for no more than twelve, begun in 2012 by Stuart and Richard Usher.

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Welcome

Stuart Usher and his son Richard started Edinburgh Guided Tour in 2012 with a simple idea: a walk through the Old Town and down the Royal Mile small enough that everyone on it could ask questions and hear the answers.

The group tour still takes twelve people at most, and it runs for three hours.

The family has deep roots in the city. Stuart's great-great-uncle was Andrew Usher, the whisky blender who gave Edinburgh the Usher Hall, and the tours carry that kind of knowledge of who built what and why: the history, the architecture and the characters of the Old Town, told with humour. The Ushers now guide alongside a team of historians, several of them with doctorates.

As well as the group walk there are private tours of half a day or a full day, tours in German, tours for schools, and a tour of the National Museum of Scotland.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Close byKanpaiA Japanese restaurant of sushi, sake and tempura on Grindlay Street, behind a sushi bar built of stacked cedar blocks.1 min by roadSee itKanpai
Before you go

The group tour runs for three hours with twelve guests at most.

Private tours of half a day or a full day can be shaped around a group's interests, and there are tours in German, for schools, and of the National Museum. Booking direct gives free cancellation up to a day before.

Group tour
Three hours, twelve guests at most. Adults £34, ages 12 to 17 £25.50, under-11s free.
Private tours
Half a day, £250 a group; a full day, £435; up to twelve guests.
Cancellation
Free up to 24 hours before.

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Where it is

Along the Royal Mile and through the Old Town, from the castle down.

Close byThe stops along the way.
  1. The Pompadour dining room in the Caledonian hotel, with white-clothed tables and turquoise chairs under an ornate plaster ceiling, painted wall panels and a gold-framed mirror.1925 at The PompadourUnder a mile as the crow flies
  2. Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh CastleA royal castle on its rock at the top of the Royal Mile.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Ross FountainRoss FountainA French cast-iron fountain of 1872 beneath the castle rock.Under a mile 3 min by road
  4. Pedestrians walk along the Grassmarket, with Biddy's pub sign visible on the rightMercat CrossThe Mercat Cross in Parliament Square, beside St Giles'.Under a mile 4 min by road
  5. St Giles’ CathedralSt Giles’ CathedralThe High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, under its crown spire.1 mile 5 min by road
  6. The Real Mary King's CloseThe Real Mary King's CloseA warren of 17th-century streets sealed beneath the City Chambers.1 mile 5 min by road
Directions
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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the tour, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the tour
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the tour
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the tour
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 2 miles from the tour
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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