Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Edinburgh history walks

This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. The first secret you’ll learn? That you can skip the line at Edinburgh Castle!

Discover an Edinburgh beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks. A beautiful city steeped in awe-inspiring history that has been perfectly preserved to this day, in the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Take a journey through time with us, and explore the lives of Edinburgh residents from generations past and gone – from historical figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns, to the everyday folk who never left the city’s walls their entire lives.

Hang on your Storyteller’s every word, as they walk you through the crime and culture to the politics and everyday events, and show reveal evidence that has survived to this day, throughout the Royal Mile.

Take a walking tour

Want to visit Edinburgh Castle? Skip the line with Mercat Tours.

The castle towers over Edinburgh from up high on its great ancient rock – a literal fortress, looking out over the city’s stunning landscapes. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it.

Visit Edinburgh Castle with your Mercat Tours Storyteller, and from the Royal Mile you’ll walk straight over the drawbridge, and straight past the ticket line – to continue your journey into Edinburgh’s history uninterrupted.

The full Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile tour with a 45min introduction to Edinburgh Castle included, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes – simply choose this option when you book.  We recommend you allow an additional 1.5-2hrs to explore the rest of the Castle in your own time.

Prefer to join us for the 1 hour and 30 minute walking tour without Edinburgh Castle? That’s fine! There’s plenty of history to explore in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

If you have a Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass, you’re very welcome to join us – including the guided tour of Edinburgh Castle – simply call us to check, once you’ve booked your tour ticket.

This tour explores the upper half of the Royal Mile. Want to know more about the Canongate? Try our Treasures of the Old Town tour where you can visit The Palace of Holyroodhouse.