Leea B.
John was a lovely guide, he is so knowledgeable and kind, a truly wonderful storyteller. We loved hearing about the history of science and crime in Edinburgh while getting an intimate overview of the city. Highly recommend.
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Private tour in Edinburgh John M
Scientific Edinburgh (With Added Crime) Walking Tour
5.0
(4) reviews
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4 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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4 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
John M.
5.0
Guide rating
55
Reviews
Tours delivered
12 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 of Some of Edinburgh's Scientific Landmarks
Overview of your Edinburgh tour
Edinburgh is both one of the most visually arresting cities of Europe, it was the centre of the Scottish Enlightenment of the 1700's and 1800's and has since been a hotbed of scientific discovery. Discover how the Georgian city reflected Scotland's confidence and wealth, as Edinburgh's intellectual and scientific life boomed. Visit the house where wild student parties led to the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic. See the home of Adam Smith, father of capitalism. Stand at the hub of Artificial Intelligence in the UK, and you will learn how Scotland's sons and daughters have contributed to science over the centuries, as well as appreciating the buildings, landscape and history of the city itself. What I love about showing visitors around my home city is trying to evoke some of the real life experiences and the buzzing intellectual atmosphere of the Athens of the North in its heyday.
Recent Reviews
George J A.United States
Had a great walking tour with John. He is very well educated in History and Art. Would strongly recommend touring Edinbourgh with John.
Sharon W.United States
John was absolutely wonderful. Because the people I was traveling with had a special interest in medicine, he combined his general tour with the scientific one. John was extremely knowledgeable, flexible about meeting our needs and just fun to spend a day with. I recommend him to anybody who wants to learn about Edinburgh.
Susan H.United States
John was extremely knowledgeable and highly recommended!
Your Edinburgh tour itinerary
- From Charlotte Square, we head off into the Georgian New Town to learn of the astonishing 18th century building project that reflected Edinburgh's intellectual confidence of the day. - On the way through its elegant neoclassical streets and squares we will visit places connected with the foundations of modern electomagnetic Science, trans-oceanic cables, anaesthetics, oceanography and Murder. - Then, into the Old Town for hydraulics, medicine and more Murder, with digressions into particle physics, geology, artificial intelligence and . . . Murder. - On the way you will have the chance to enjoy the visual delights of the city including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh University, and the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside you get on the way. If there are particular sites you want to see, I will do my best to include them.
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 and cobbled streets, but with some hills and steps.
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. The cost of snacks/refreshments is not included in the cost of the tour.
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 at the front of West Register House, on the west side of Charlotte Square (EH2 4DR for satnavs)
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
Tour reference number
404430
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 those interested in the city's rich scientific history and its role in the Scottish Enlightenment. It's ideal for travellers who enjoy walking tours and want to explore both the Georgian New Town and the Old Town, learning about scientific landmarks and historical figures like Adam Smith. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly.
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?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
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4 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
-
4 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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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.