Private tour in Edinburgh Sarah C

Edinburgh Royal Residences - Past and Present

5.0

(22) reviews

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Sarah C.

5.0

Guide rating

158

Reviews

Tours delivered

34 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello, my name is Sarah, I am a qualified Blue Badge tour guide in English and Italian, part of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association. My main passions are history, human beings and storytelling, that is why I became a tour guide. Being empathetic is a fundamental skill when working with people, that is why my tours are different according to the age, nationality, and needs of my customers. Delivering tours, for me, means also to have a good time and my enjoyment is infectious! Edinburgh is a vibrant jewel immersed in history and culture and it will be my pleasure to share it with you. My fortes are completely customised walking tours: from 3 hours to all day or days, I take people around and make them discover this marvellous city, through my eyes. All my tours can be customised to meet your personal interests and needs. Qualified Blue Badge tour guide Member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) Member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Member of the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations Certified WorldHost Excellent Customer Service Certified Virtual Tour Guide with G-Guide Academy Trained Storyteller

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Sarah C.

Overview of your Edinburgh tour

Enjoy a wonderful day visiting the two most magnificent past and present Royal Residences of the City of Edinburgh: the Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. We will start at the very top of the Royal Mile, with the fascinating Edinburgh Castle which has a vital place in the history of Scotland with tales of royals, sieges, and murders. We will travel downhill into the heart of the Old Town, visiting the highlights as well as discovering the off-the-beaten-path secrets of the Royal Mile. Finally, we will reach the Royal Palace, a place for many dramatic episodes in the short reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. I will give you an introduction to the Palace's history and you will decide if you want to visit it (when open) or enjoy Calton Hill instead. If you are "Potterheads", please get in touch and it will be my pleasure to modify the route adding some magical "Harry Potter" spots to our tour.

Recent Reviews

Mark W.United States
June 2025

Sarah added valuable insight to our tour of Edinburgh and the Castle. Sarah went out of her way to meet us at our apartment and started her tour within our neighborhood by showing us amazing areas you would never find on your own. She started out our tour with facts we would have never read about and pointed out landmarks that we would have just walked past on our own. Sarah made sure our Edinburgh tour was focused on our interests and even helped us find a special Scottish flag we were looking for! We had an amazing day and love Edinburgh even more due to Sarah's involvement.

Paul W.United States
July 2024

Sarah was fantastic and really made our day in Edinburgh fantastic. It seemed like she knew every building we passed and showed us a bunch of sites and things we never would’ve found without her! Absolutely would recommend this tour (and Sarah as a guide) to anyone!

Jill G.United States
April 2024

Sarah was an amazing tour guide full of fun fact and interesting stories. She also showed compassion and understanding when one of us got sick, arranging the day so we could make the most out of the time we had..

Arthur P.United States
April 2024

Sarah was exceptional. Completely tuned in to our grandson and extremely knowledgeable about Scotland and Edinburgh, despite having spent the first 30+ years of her life in Italy! Managed to make our day memorable, despite the awful weather. Would recommend her highly. Especially good with kids.

Robyn F.United States
September 2022

Sarah was a joy to be with in Edinburgh! It is clear she was well prepared and knowledgeable about the local sites. She readily adjusted to our whims when we saw something along our route that we wanted to see.

Ann A.United States
July 2022

Scottish history is complicated with all the battles, feuds, alliances, marriages & murders. Sarah makes sense of it for the non-Scot. We strolled around graveyards & got a sneak peek of the Thistle Chapel. Are unicorns only for little girls? No! Sarah explains the truth about this muscular, badass beast, chained & restrained by the English. Stand at the perfect spot to watch the firing of the one o'clock gun. Get tips for the best gelato shop or where to buy that cashmere scarf. It was a great morning!

Your Edinburgh tour itinerary

The suggested itinerary will be the following: - Edinburgh Castle and all the highlights. * Please note, due to Castle regulations, guiding inside Edinburgh Castle is only allowed in external areas. After our tour, you will have time to view the interior of the buildings on your own. - Off the beaten path secrets of Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate. - We will end the tour with the Palace of Holyrood House or visit the magnificent Calton Hill instead. * In the Palace, guiding is permitted only in the Forecourt (also Abbey and gardens, when opened) If you would like to customize the tour, please enquire 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

Walking tour

What's included
Other: My service as a fully accredited tour guide
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. - Entry to Edinburgh Castle. Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. - Lunch. Note: Palace closures in 2022: 15 April 19 - 28 May 23 June - 1 July 2 July - please note the Palace, Gallery, café and shop are all closed on this date. Holyrood Abbey and the Palace Gardens are currently closed to visitors until further notice. --> In this period we will admire the Palace and the Abbey from outside and of continue the tour visiting Calton Hill.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

354 Castlehill, Scotland, Scotland, EH1 2NE, United Kingdom

In front of the The Scotch Whisky Experience or your hotel lobby if in the city centre

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Museums
City Highlights
Tour reference number
395368
Languages
English
Italian
Activity 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 history enthusiasts, especially those interested in royal history and the fascinating stories of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It's also great for families, as the tour is kid-friendly, and for "Potterheads" who can request to add Harry Potter spots to the itinerary. Travellers looking to connect with a local guide for deeper insights into Edinburgh's past and present will find this tour particularly rewarding.

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?

Is transportation included?

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?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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