Old and New Towns of Edinburgh

Simply the Best: Half day ‘Highlights of Edinburgh’ walking tour

This fascinating and friendly tour is a great introduction to Edinburgh. It gives lots of ideas of places to explore in your own time and fun things to do afterwards. There are plenty of photo opportunities.

We visit:

• Castlehill
• The Lawnmarket
• The Mound
• Princes Street Gardens
• St Andrew’s Square
• Queen Street
• George Street

You see:

• Edinburgh Castle (exterior)
• The Witches Well
• The Writer’s Museum (exterior)
• St Giles Cathedral (exterior)
• The Mercat Cross
• The City Chambers and the Edinburgh Awards
• Closes off the Royal Mile
• Bank of Scotland headquarters and the Museum on the Mound (exterior)
• The Scottish National Art Galleries
• The Floral Clock (May to September)
• Sir Walter Scott monument
• Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters (interior)
• The Scottish National Portrait Gallery (interior)
• The Dome restaurant (If possible, the interior)

You learn about what makes Edinburgh special and are entertained about:

• Edinburgh’s origins, history and growth
• Witchcraft
• The naming and uses of streets and closes
• Edinburgh’s nicknames - ‘Auld Reekie’ and ‘The Athens of the north’
• Infamous and famous characters like Deacon Brodie, David Hume, Adam Smith and Tom Gilzean
• Why a new town had to be built