Irwin F.United States
John did an amazing job. He was very knowlegable and made the tour fun and interesting.
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Private tour in Edinburgh John M
Edinburgh Highlights Walking Tour
5.0
(30) reviews
-
4 hours
30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
4 hours
30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
John M.
5.0
Guide rating
55
Reviews
Tours delivered
11 hrs
Avg. response time
Welcome to Scotland, and to Edinburgh in particular! Edinburgh is a wonderful place to explore and discover, shimmering with the life of the present, glowing with shades of the past, full of visual surprises and stunning views. I am a native Scot, and have lived my whole life here in Edinburgh. I have been showing friends, family and visitors to my beautiful city and country for many years, and love introducing guests to what makes Edinburgh such a fascinating and many-sided city. I am a graduate in history from Cambridge University, with a Scottish legal training. I am deeply interested in the history, architecture, literature and culture of my native land, and really enjoy sharing this with others of all backgrounds and ages. It is my constant pleasure to share my enthusiasm and show visitors old and young both what it is like to live in contemporary Scotland, as well as what life was like here in the past, what has made us what we are. My tours are designed to entertain and inform travellers not only about the best known places, but also the quirky and unexpected. When I am not guiding visitors, I am an enthusiastic reader of history and literature and enjoy walking, landscape and fishing. I have extensive experience in guiding individuals, family groups, and shore excursions both on short, whole day and longer tours in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. I look forward to showing you the sights and sounds of my native place. I am a graduate in History (M.A. Cambridge), and in law (Ll.B., Edinburgh), and a lover of Scotland's and Edinburgh's culture and history, with many years' experience of showing visitors round my home country and city. I do not have any restrictions in regard to my guiding, I can offer a full range of experiences.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message John M.
Half Day Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh's Delights
Overview of your Edinburgh tour
Edinburgh is justly famous for its architecture and striking location. It is a bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the double character created by its most famous writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. The 18th century New Town, so full of grand buildings, long vistas and public gardens is the nice Dr Jekyll; while the mediaeval Old Town with its countless narrow alleys (closes), high buildings and frankly gory past, is the wicked Mr Hyde. Take a stroll through the New Town and discover not all is as prim and proper as it seems. Saunter down the Royal Mile and learn that life was not all bad. Find out how you can visit Canada (Nova Scotia) while not setting foot outside Edinburgh. Discover why the World's End really is (for some at least) the end of the world. And all while enjoying one of the most visually arresting city landscapes in the world Edinburgh is my native city, and I relish the chance to introduce visitors to some of its highlights and maybe encourage them to explore more deeply.
Recent Reviews
Kristy R.United States
John was a fantastic tour guide in Edinburgh. His knowledge of the city's history, culture, and hidden gems made the experience truly memorable. We covered a tremendous amount of ground during the tour and learned so much along the way. John brought the stories of Edinburgh to life with engaging explanations and interesting details that we never would have discovered on our own. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an informative and enjoyable tour.
Charles S.United States
We asked John to focus our tour on history and stories about the development of Edinburgh and Scotland. My son is a life long student of history and culture and he thoroughly enjoyed the time with John. We walked with John most of the day even though the tour was scheduled for only 3.5 hours. I would put this as one of the best tours we have had ever and John as one of the best guides that we have had and enjoyed. I highly recommend this tour but get ready to walk the city, we covered many miles. Chuck Sherwood
Janet D.United States
John was so much fun. We were impressed with all his knowledge and side tidbits of the history Edinburgh. We highly recommend John for this tour or any tour he does!!
Rick W.United States
Just back from a tour of the U.K. & remembering what a wonderful time we had with John in Edinburgh. John was an amazing guide, erudite, thoughtful, a good storyteller...he clearly loves his native city & knows it well. John is not only deeply versed in history, literature, architecture, and many other subjects, but has a sense of humor as well! He took us around showing us must-see parts of Edinburgh at an easy pace, helping us to understand their history & meaning. He listened carefully to our needs, & was very flexible & helpful with suggestions as to how to spend our remaining time in Edinburgh & Scotland. My wife & I have had many good guides over the years. I know John will always be one of the most memorable. We had such a good time with him!
David S.United States
John was a wealth of knowledge and we had a great time. We flew in from the US that morning and he adjusted the start time so we could fit everything in. He also didn’t push us knowing that we’d be tired from traveling. Absolutely a great tour.
Your Edinburgh tour itinerary
- Starting in Charlotte Square, we will pass through the Georgian New Town and admire its neoclassical architecture and spectacular views before crossing through Princes Street Gardens to the Castle Esplanade. - If you would like, we can then visit the Castle before gradually descending the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace, exploring the buildings, history, lifestyle and culture of the old Town. - Find out how the shape of the city influenced cultural and social life, and how the modern and the ancient co-exist today. - Depending on your particular interests, and whether you would like to visit inside the Castle, the Palace or other buildings, the tour may last longer than 3 1/2 hours. - Visits within the Castle and Holyrood would each add about 90 minutes to the time. - Sturdy walking shoes or boots are recommended at all seasons, along with wind/waterproof clothing as appropriate. The distance covered will be about 3 miles, with pauses. For customizing this tour, please inquire for a quote.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Walking
This is a walking tour, mostly over paved footpaths, with some cobbled streets and steps.
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. The cost of admission to Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle are not included in the basic tour price. The cost of refreshments, snacks, postcards and souvenirs is also not included.
If you are arriving by ship into Edinburgh, I am very happy to customise this tour for you and to provide private transport to and from the port. Please just contact me for a quote.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: I will meet you in front of West Register House, on the west side of Charlotte Square, in the City Centre (EH2 4DR for satnav).
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
History
City Highlights
Tour reference number
404429
Languages
German
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Edinburgh best suited for?
This private tour in Edinburgh is perfect for travellers who want to explore the city's highlights with a local expert. It's especially suitable for those interested in architecture, history, and culture, as well as families with kids, given its light activity level and kid-friendly nature. John M., your guide, is a native of Edinburgh and offers deep insights into the city's unique character.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Edinburgh be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
4 hours
30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
4 hours
30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.