Christopher A.United States
We had a great walking tour of the city and learned a lot of the history that we would never have known. Fantastic day!
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Private tour in Edinburgh Susan N
Half Day Private Walking Tour of the Old and New Town, Edinburgh
4.8
(6) reviews
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4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 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
-
4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 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
Susan N.
5.0
Guide rating
46
Reviews
Tours delivered
22 hrs
Avg. response time
Let me show you my Scotland - this beautiful, exciting and wonderful land. Let me design private tours to suit your interests and then show you some of the most magical places to give you wonderful Scottish memories. Born in Edinburgh I have always loved Scottish history, its people and architecture and I am proud to be a qualified Scottish Blue Badge Tour guide. I enjoy arranging private walking tours and private driver guided tours for up to 7 people and have been delighted to receive excellent feedback. Picking you up from your hotel, cruise ship or airport is a great way to let you see as much as possible in the time you are here. As an active member of two ancient Scottish Clans - the Napiers and the Hannays - I would love to help you find your own Scottish roots, look for your Scottish ancestors and find where they lived. Outlander, Robert the Bruce, Harry Potter, Skyfall, Monty Python & the Holy Grail - all filmed in Scotland and I can take you to visit the locations and tell you the stories behind the scenes. If you have a particular Scottish theme then just let me know and I will design a tour to delight you. Literature, Palaces, Nature, Landscape - these are just some of the tours I have provided in 2018. And you will find places well off the normal tourist trail - secret, mysterious Scotland! We Scots do love our food - for example salmon, beef, raspberries and whisky, and of course the wonderful haggis! Whatever your taste and style I can find suitable cafes, restaurants and pubs to get those taste buds zinging. Scottish Whisky Training School Certificate 2018 Scottish Blue Badge Tour Guide 2016 University of Edinburgh - Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Geography and Architectural Studies 1976 Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 1981, winning the Galsworthy Prize in Planning and Development. In 2013 I was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS). My career in housing development led me to be the Business Development Director at Dunedin Canmore Housing Association, and I have been responsible for building over 5000 new affordable homes, including the first award winning car free development in the United Kingdom. I am former Chair of Bield Housing and Care, and sat on the Scottish Tribunals Service for private rented housing. I currently run my own residential development consultancy providing project management and training services to housing associations and local authorities.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Susan N.
Edinburgh's Stories
Overview of your Edinburgh tour
A private walking tour of Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, starting from the City Centre and then walking through Grassmarket up to the Castle's Esplanade for a fantastic view of the City. We will visit the medieaval Royal Mile with its narrow closes and St Giles Cathedral, University and graveyards. Then head downhill to the 18th Century New Town with its elegant streets and squares. On the way there will be stories about graverobbers, executions, Mary Queen of Scots, Scottish Reformation and Enlightment and bringing us right up to date with the current discussions on the slave trade.
Recent Reviews
Bryce T.United States
Susan was very knowledgeable and sweet. We had an enjoyable afternoon.
Jenay R.United States
I thoroughly enjoyed my two half-day tours with Susan. She was knowledgeable, personable and went above and beyond to tailor the tours to meet my specific requests. I wanted to see the major sites plus as many public gardens as possible. She showed me some wonderful hidden gardens that only a local would know about. When we couldn't get into the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens due to high winds. she came up with a wonderful alternative - the Lauriston Castle which has a fabulous Japanese garden.
Jenay R.United States
Susan was extremely knowledgeable and personable. I wanted to explore gardens in Edinburgh as well as see the main sites and she put together two terrific half-day itineraries for us. On the second day, we were scheduled to visit the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. When we got there, we were told that they were closed due to the high wind conditions. Susan immediately came up with an alternative idea - visiting the Lauriston Castle which is beautiful and has a Japanese garden.
Rudy S.United States
Susan Napier is so knowledgeable and kind. What a wonderful walking tour from and back to the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh. Susan is so authentic and full of incredible detail. The tour was a complete delight for us.
Your Edinburgh tour itinerary
Meet at a convenient location - eg your hotel or a central location Walk up to the Grassmarket, then up to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Castle Esplanade. Visit old closes and then walk down the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral and Parliament Square. Walk down to Princes St Gardens and the Walter Scott Monument Introduction to the New Town and then go to St Andrew Square, George Street and Charlotte Square Walk along side streets where famous authors have spent time and imagination Finally we will go along the back streets with elegant townhouses, statues and another Cathedral before we end at the West End of Edinburgh.
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 starting and ending at accommodation if this is in a central location.
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
City Highlights
Architecture
Tour reference number
809813
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible
Traveller reviews
4.8
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Edinburgh best suited for?
This private tour in Edinburgh is perfect for travellers interested in history, architecture, and local stories. You'll explore both the Old and New Towns, learning about Edinburgh's rich past, from medieval times to the Enlightenment. It's also suitable for those who want to connect with a local guide like Susan N. for deeper insights.
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 happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?
What languages is this tour offered in?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 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
-
4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 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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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.