Edinburgh Tours: Castle, Royal Mile & Scottish Heritage Guide - Voyage Privé

Our offers

Luxury holidays >
United Kingdom >
Tours Edinburgh

Edinburgh tours


Table of contents

Edinburgh stands as one of Europe's most captivating capitals, where medieval streets wind beneath an imposing castle perched on an ancient volcanic rock. This UNESCO World Heritage city seamlessly blends centuries of Scottish history with vibrant contemporary culture, creating an atmosphere that enchants visitors from around the globe. The city's unique topography, divided between the historic Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, provides endless opportunities for exploration through guided tours that reveal hidden closes, underground vaults, and panoramic viewpoints. Scotland's capital has cultivated a sophisticated tourism infrastructure that caters to diverse interests, from literary enthusiasts following in the footsteps of famous writers to whisky connoisseurs seeking authentic Scottish experiences. Edinburgh's compact size makes it perfect for walking tours, whilst its rich cultural calendar ensures year-round attractions that complement the city's permanent historical treasures. Modern tour operators have developed innovative approaches that combine traditional sightseeing with immersive experiences, allowing visitors to truly understand what makes this ancient city such a compelling destination.

The Most Beautiful Edinburgh Tours with Voyage Privé

1. "Edinburgh & More" City Break Package

Edinburgh & More City Break Package

This compact 3-night city break maximises your Scottish adventure by combining Edinburgh's urban treasures with spectacular Highland excursions. Your journey begins with the renowned Scotch Whisky Experience, featuring the Silver Tour complete with whisky barrel ride, aromatic introductions, and guided tastings paired with artisan chocolates. The experience includes a complimentary Glencairn whisky glass as a lasting memento of your Scottish adventure.

Day three transforms your city break into an epic Highland odyssey with a comprehensive tour encompassing Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and the Scottish Highlands. Departing at 8am, you'll witness the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge before travelling through Cairngorms National Park to reach the legendary Loch Ness. The tour includes stops at Urquhart Castle, Fort William, and the dramatic Glen Coe valley, where James Bond's Skyfall was filmed.

Accommodation flexibility allows you to choose between central Edinburgh hotels or Zone 2 properties, with options spanning 3-star and 4-star categories. The package includes daily breakfast, return Edinburgh Airlink bus tickets, and comprehensive Highland touring, creating exceptional value for exploring Scotland's essence in just four days.

What we love: The perfect combination of urban discovery and Highland adventure, plus the comprehensive Scotch Whisky Experience that provides genuine insight into Scotland's national drink through expert guidance and premium tastings.

Discover this tour

2. Beautiful Scottish Highlands Tour

Beautiful Scottish Highlands Tour

Adventure seekers will relish this comprehensive 7-night Highland exploration featuring optional car rental for complete independence across Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. Beginning in Glasgow's cultural heart, your self-drive odyssey progresses through Fort William and Oban, where a Northern Highlights cruise on Loch Lomond awaits. The included 60-minute cruise reveals Scottish traditions whilst showcasing the loch's pristine beauty framed by ancient mountains.

Your route continues through Aviemore and Nairn, where photography enthusiasts capture postcard-perfect views of Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness from Fort Augustus. Whisky connoisseurs enjoy exclusive access to Speyside's renowned distillery region, whilst the included Aberfeldy Distillery visit provides expert tastings and production insights.

The journey culminates in Edinburgh's historic splendour, where you explore the Royal Mile and marvel at Edinburgh Castle's commanding presence. Accommodation throughout features carefully selected 3-star and 4-star properties, whilst the optional car rental provides Category B vehicles with unlimited mileage. Welcome drinks at Fort William and Aviemore hotels add special touches to your Highland adventure.

What we love: The freedom to explore at your own pace combined with must-see experiences like the Loch Lomond cruise and Aberfeldy Distillery visit. The photogenic route through Glen Coe and Eilean Donan Castle creates unforgettable memories.

Discover this tour

3. Exploring Scotland

Exploring Scotland

This comprehensive 7-day Scottish odyssey reveals the nation's diverse character through ancient monuments, legendary battlefields, and cultural treasures spanning Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. Your Edinburgh base provides access to the iconic Royal Mile, majestic Edinburgh Castle, and the elegant Georgian New Town, creating a perfect introduction to Scotland's capital city.

The tour's flexibility shines through your choice between Glasgow or Inverness extensions. Glasgow enthusiasts explore Kelvingrove Museum's impressive art collections and the magnificent Cathedral, whilst included day tours to Oban showcase Victorian seaside charm and Highland scenery along Loch Awe. Inverness visitors delve into Highland capital heritage with Loch Ness boat cruises and Urquhart Castle explorations.

Cultural immersion features prominently throughout, with included entries to Edinburgh Castle and the Scotch Whisky Experience providing authentic Scottish experiences. Day tours to St Andrews reveal medieval charm and golfing heritage, whilst hop-on-hop-off passes in Glasgow or Inverness ensure comprehensive city discovery. The tour includes comfortable 3-star or 4-star accommodation with daily breakfast and seamless train connections between destinations.

What we love: The choice between Glasgow's cultural vibrancy and Inverness's Highland mystique, plus comprehensive inclusions like castle entries, whisky experiences, and guided day tours that reveal Scotland's hidden gems.

Discover this tour

4. 7-Night Whisky and Castles Tour

7-Night Whisky and Castles Tour

Whisky enthusiasts and castle lovers find their perfect Scottish adventure through this immersive 7-night journey combining Edinburgh's historic grandeur with Aberdeen's granite beauty, Inverness's Highland mystique, and Dundee's cultural heritage. Each destination offers unique castle discoveries, from Edinburgh's commanding fortress to Dunnottar's dramatic clifftop position and Dunrobin's French château elegance.

The whisky trail showcases Scotland's finest distilleries through included visits to Glenfiddich and Dewar's Aberfeldy. At Glenfiddich, you'll explore the world's best-selling single malt production from its 1886 foundations to modern bottling, complete with expert tastings. Dewar's Aberfeldy reveals the honeyed richness secrets through interactive museums and guided tours of the 1890s facilities.

Culinary delights enhance your journey with included cream tea in Inverness and complimentary hot chocolate at Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier, crafted with your preferred milk choice. The tour concludes with a celebratory three-course dinner, whilst comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation in carefully selected hotels ensures restful evenings after days filled with castle explorations and whisky discoveries.

What we love: The perfect marriage of Scotland's two greatest treasures - magnificent castles and world-renowned whisky - combined with gourmet touches like artisan chocolate experiences and the dramatic Dunnottar Castle perched on crumbling cliffs.

Discover this tour

Historic Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile

Dominating Edinburgh's skyline from its volcanic perch, Edinburgh Castle represents over 1,000 years of Scottish history and serves as the city's most iconic landmark. The fortress houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the famous One O'Clock Gun that has marked time for residents since 1861. Guided castle tours reveal the complex's evolution from royal residence to military stronghold, with expert guides sharing tales of sieges, royal births, and political intrigue that shaped Scottish history.

The Royal Mile stretches from the castle gates to Holyrood Palace, forming the backbone of Edinburgh's Old Town with its cobblestone streets and towering tenements. This historic thoroughfare encompasses four distinct streets lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions that showcase Scottish culture and craftsmanship. Street performers and traditional musicians create a lively atmosphere throughout the year, whilst close and wynds (narrow alleyways) lead to hidden courtyards and historic sites that many visitors never discover without local guidance.

St. Giles' Cathedral, known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as the religious heart of Scotland and features stunning medieval architecture alongside modern artistic installations. The cathedral's Thistle Chapel displays exquisite stone carving and heraldic symbols representing Scottish nobility, whilst regular concerts showcase the building's exceptional acoustics. Guided visits explore the cathedral's role in Scottish religious history and its connections to famous figures such as John Knox and Sir Walter Scott.

Edinburgh tours

Underground Edinburgh Experiences

Beneath the Royal Mile lies a fascinating network of underground chambers and streets known as the Real Mary King's Close. These preserved 16th and 17th-century closes provide authentic glimpses into medieval life, with costumed guides bringing historic characters to life whilst explaining living conditions, trade practices, and social customs of bygone eras. Archaeological evidence and personal artefacts discovered during excavations help visitors understand daily life in medieval Edinburgh.

Ghost Tours and Dark Edinburgh

Edinburgh's turbulent history and atmospheric architecture create the perfect setting for supernatural encounters, earning the city recognition as one of the world's most haunted destinations. Professional ghost tours guide visitors through shadowy closes and ancient graveyards whilst recounting tales of body snatchers, witch trials, and unexplained phenomena that continue to intrigue both locals and visitors. These theatrical experiences combine historical facts with spine-chilling storytelling, often featuring visits to locations where paranormal activity has been reported by numerous witnesses.

Greyfriars Kirkyard serves as both historical site and supernatural hotspot, housing elaborate Victorian monuments alongside the grave of the famous Greyfriars Bobby. The cemetery's most notorious section contains the Black Mausoleum, where poltergeist activity has been documented extensively, leading to restricted access during certain tours. Evening visits to this atmospheric location provide particularly memorable experiences, especially during Edinburgh's darker months when early nightfall enhances the eerie ambience.

Edinburgh Vaults beneath South Bridge offer another dimension to the city's dark tourism, where former slums and underground chambers house tales of poverty, crime, and mysterious disappearances. Archaeological investigations have revealed evidence of 18th and 19th-century inhabitants who lived in these subterranean spaces, creating a tangible connection to Edinburgh's social history. Modern paranormal research continues in these locations, with some tour groups reporting unexplained phenomena during their underground explorations.

Literary Edinburgh and Cultural Tours

Edinburgh's literary heritage spans centuries, from the poetry of Robert Burns to the contemporary success of contemporary Scottish authors who call the city home. Literary walking tours follow the footsteps of famous writers who lived and worked in Edinburgh, revealing the real locations that inspired fictional settings and the social circles that influenced creative development. The city's numerous bookshops, libraries, and literary museums provide resources for deeper exploration of Scottish literary traditions.

The Writers' Museum celebrates the lives and works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson through personal artefacts, manuscripts, and interactive displays. Located in Lady Stair's House, a 17th-century building on the Royal Mile, the museum provides insights into the social and political contexts that influenced these literary giants. Special exhibitions and events throughout the year highlight different aspects of Scottish literature and its international influence.

Edinburgh's designation as UNESCO City of Literature reflects its ongoing commitment to literary culture, with year-round festivals, readings, and workshops that attract writers and readers from around the world. Literary tours often incorporate visits to traditional pubs where famous authors gathered, bookshops that have supported Scottish literature for generations, and locations that appear in famous novels and poems. These cultural experiences provide deeper understanding of how Edinburgh's unique character has inspired generations of creative minds.

Festival Edinburgh

Every August, Edinburgh transforms into the world's largest arts festival, hosting multiple simultaneous events that showcase theatre, comedy, music, and literature from around the globe. Festival tours during this period offer behind-the-scenes access to venues, meetings with performers, and insights into the logistical challenges of managing such a massive cultural undertaking. The festival atmosphere extends throughout the city, with street performances, pop-up venues, and spontaneous events creating an unparalleled cultural experience.

Edinburgh tours

Scottish Whisky and Culinary Experiences

Scotland's national drink takes centre stage in Edinburgh through whisky tours that explore both the science and art of whisky production whilst sampling expressions from different Scottish regions. The Scotch Whisky Experience provides comprehensive education about whisky history, regional characteristics, and tasting techniques through interactive displays and guided tastings. Professional whisky ambassadors share knowledge about distillation processes, maturation effects, and food pairing suggestions that enhance appreciation for this complex spirit.

Traditional Scottish cuisine features prominently in culinary tours that visit local markets, specialty food shops, and authentic restaurants serving dishes that reflect Scottish culinary heritage. Haggis, neeps and tatties represent classic Scottish fare, whilst contemporary chefs have developed innovative interpretations that showcase local ingredients such as Scottish salmon, Highland beef, and seasonal vegetables. Food tours often include visits to farmers' markets where visitors can meet local producers and learn about sustainable farming practices.

Edinburgh's thriving craft beer scene provides another dimension to the city's beverage culture, with local breweries producing distinctive ales, lagers, and stouts that reflect Scottish brewing traditions whilst embracing modern techniques. Brewery tours reveal production processes and offer tastings that highlight flavour profiles unique to Scottish beers. Many breweries occupy historic buildings that have been adapted for modern production, combining industrial heritage with contemporary brewing innovation.

Royal Edinburgh and Palace Tours

Holyrood Palace serves as the official Scottish residence of the British Royal Family, featuring opulent state apartments, historic tapestries, and the chambers where Mary Queen of Scots lived and held court. Audio-guided tours provide detailed commentary about royal ceremonies, political events, and personal dramas that unfolded within these historic walls. The palace gardens offer peaceful retreats with carefully maintained landscapes that showcase Scottish horticultural traditions.

The adjacent Holyrood Abbey ruins create dramatic backdrops that speak to Scotland's religious and political history, having served as the setting for royal weddings, coronations, and burials throughout the centuries. Archaeological investigations continue to reveal new insights about medieval monastic life and the abbey's role in Scottish society. The combination of palace and abbey creates comprehensive experiences that illuminate the complex relationships between church, crown, and state in Scottish history.

Royal connections throughout Edinburgh extend beyond official residences to include sites associated with royal visits, ceremonies, and significant events in Scottish royal history. Guided tours often highlight locations where pivotal moments in royal history occurred, from treaty signings to dramatic escapes that shaped the course of Scottish and British history. These royal heritage experiences provide insights into the continuing role of monarchy in contemporary Scottish society.

Military Heritage and Honours

Edinburgh's military connections span centuries, from the castle's role as a fortress to the city's position as home to several Scottish regiments. Military heritage tours explore these connections through visits to regimental museums, memorials, and sites associated with famous battles and military figures. The Scottish National War Memorial within Edinburgh Castle honours Scottish military service throughout history, providing solemn spaces for reflection and remembrance.

Edinburgh's Natural Beauty and Outdoor Tours

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh's highest peak, offers magnificent panoramic views across the city, Forth bridges, and surrounding countryside whilst providing accessible hiking opportunities within the city boundaries. This ancient volcano provides geological insights through guided walks that explain the formation of Edinburgh's distinctive landscape and its influence on human settlement patterns. Sunrise and sunset tours take advantage of dramatic lighting conditions that showcase the city's architectural beauty from elevated perspectives.

Calton Hill features several historic monuments including the National Monument and Nelson Monument, creating an outdoor gallery of Scottish commemorative architecture. The hill provides excellent photography opportunities with unobstructed views of the Old Town, New Town, and surrounding landscape. Evening visits during summer months offer spectacular sunset views that have inspired artists and photographers for generations.

The Pentland Hills, easily accessible from Edinburgh, provide opportunities for extended hiking, cycling, and nature observation in landscapes that inspired literary works and artistic creations. These hills offer escape from urban environments whilst remaining connected to the city through excellent transport links. Guided nature walks explore local flora, fauna, and geological features whilst discussing the area's role in Edinburgh's development and culture.

Edinburgh's commitment to green spaces extends throughout the city, with numerous parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets that provide pleasant walking environments and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Princes Street Gardens create green corridors through the city centre, offering peaceful retreats between shopping and sightseeing activities. These urban green spaces host outdoor events, festivals, and markets that connect residents and visitors with nature whilst maintaining the city's reputation as one of Europe's most liveable capitals.

Edinburgh tours, customer reviews

Raeburn Hotel (Edinburgh - United Kingdom)

Customers testify
Score
8.8
Review
Quailty of building, Attentive Staff, Well designed and equipped rooms, Quality of Food, and of course not forgetting Angus the Dog!
-
Reviewed on 2016-05-02 16:30:55 Steve W, travelled as a couple
Score
10
Review
Friendly and accomodating staff Well maintained cleanliness of rooms Freshly prepared foods
-
Reviewed on 2016-04-05 03:04:34 Maria S, travelled with family
Score
10
Review
I loved everything. From the tartan to the hidden walk in wardrobe, and the amazing shower to the piece of fudge with every hot drink! All of the staff were friendly and ever so helpful. Our stay was really relaxing and we even enjoyed breakfast in the room for no extra cost. I definitely recommend this hotel. We will be back. Thank you team Raeburn
-
Reviewed on 2016-05-04 21:47:54 Megan A, travelled between friends
Score
9.6
Review
The hotel was lovely, in a lively area but easy reach of the main city. The hospitality from our arrival to our departure was first class. The hotel standards were very high, but what made it such a wonderful experience was that every member of staff gave exceptional service. From the complementary coffees provided at the start to the wonderful waitress Victoria, who served our breakfast and afternoon tea. The Raeburn team are a real asset
-
Reviewed on 2016-03-28 15:03:52 Lauretta F, travelled as a couple

(Edinburgh - United Kingdom)

Customers testify
Score
8.4
Review
the location of the hotel in the center; exceptional breakfast and courteous and very professional staff.
-
Reviewed on 2017-11-07 09:01:23 Enzo M, travelled as a couple
  1. Voyage Privé
  2. Luxury holidays
  3. United Kingdom
  4. Tours Edinburgh