Join us for a 2.5-hour Free Walking Tour of Edinburgh and discover the city's most iconic sites with a local guide. Wander through the historic streets of Edinburgh and visit must-see landmarks such as the famous Royal Mile, the atmospheric Greyfriars Kirkyard (home to the loyal dog, Greyfriars Bobby), and the vibrant Grassmarket. Let an expert local guide show you the rich history and charm of this fascinating city, all while experiencing it like a true local.
Your Free Tour of Edinburgh begins at 130 High Street (on the Royal Mile), giving you the perfect introduction to Edinburgh. It’s an ideal way to get your bearings in the city while keeping things budget-friendly. And don’t worry about the weather—we run our tours rain, hail, or shine, so you’ll always have the opportunity to enjoy Edinburgh with us!
Edinburgh: A City of Madmen and Geniuses
Edinburgh's history is full of stories that are stranger than fiction, and on this Free Walking Tour, your local guide will bring them to life. From the legends of the English kings and how the locals reacted, to the tale of the real-life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Edinburgh's past is packed with intrigue. Discover why leaving a pub at closing time was once a dangerous venture in old Edinburgh, and hear about the dramatic public executions at the Grassmarket that didn’t always go as planned. You’ll also visit landmarks like St Giles' Cathedral, the Scottish Writers' Museum, and more, with each site offering a window into Edinburgh’s colorful history.
A City of Heroes and Literary Giants
While Edinburgh is known for its madmen, it’s also home to geniuses and heroes. Learn about Scotland’s national hero, William Wallace, and the Stone of Destiny, along with the city’s literary greats at the Scottish Writers' Museum—we guarantee you’ll recognize more names than you think! And no trip to Edinburgh is complete without visiting Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you’ll hear the touching story of Greyfriars Bobby, the little dog who became a symbol of loyalty and love.
Free Tour concept
The Free Tour concept is based on gratuities, meaning you decide how much to tip based on the quality of the tour and your budget. This flexible model ensures that the experience not only meets but exceeds your expectations while remaining accessible to everyone.
SANDEMANs Tours, the birthplace of the Free Walking Tour, is one of the largest walking tour companies in the world. We offer daily tours in both English and Spanish, providing some of the best freelance local guides who share Edinburgh’s rich history and culture with passion and an entertaining touch. Join the Original Free Walking Tour of Edinburgh and experience the city’s past and present like never before!
The gratuity-based Edinburgh Free Tour starts on 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close
Stroll up the Royal Mile, visiting St Gile’s Cathedral and other major landmarks
Meet Scottish greats like William Wallace
Visit the pub (and history!) filled Grassmarket
See the National Museum of Scotland
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
10:00 AM11:00 AM2:00 PM
11:00 AM
PHOTOS
The Royal Mile
St Giles' Cathedral
Free Tour group outside St Giles' Cathedral
Grassmarket
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Local English-speaking guide
A break partway through the tour at a local charity cafe
What’s not included
Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Food and drinks at the break location
Additional Information
Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
All minors must be accompanied by an adult in order to join the tour
Depending on the route, the tour may finish by the National Museum of Scotland, by Greyfriars Kirkyard or by The Writers' Museum
Due to the old streets and uneven terrain, accessing parts of Edinburgh by wheelchair can sometimes be challenging. The Free Tour is wheelchair accessible when accompanied by a non-disabled participant
MAP
The Free Tour on 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's CloseOpen in Google Maps
Royal Mile
St Gile's Cathedral
Grassmarket
National Museum of Scotland
Greyfriars Kirkyard
The Writers' Museum
Tour starts here
Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers
Customer reviews
I had already done the Free Tour of Edinburgh some years ago and was really happy with the service, so when I decided to do it again with a friend who didn't know the city yet, I knew I could expect good quality. We were on Adam's tour last Thursday, and frankly, I was blown away by how good it was and by how much better it was than the tour I had already done and that I had actually really liked. Even my friend, who hadn't been particularly keen on doing a guided tour, absolutely loved it and said that the 2.5 hours had passed much too quickly. Adam was fun, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. He was more than happy to answer all questions, tried to connect to all members of the group individually and helped us out with great pub and restaurant recommendations. It was hands down the best tour I've ever been on! Highly recommend! If you get the chance, try to get Adam as your guide.
I went last week to Edinburgh and I wanted to do a free tour, I have done few in different European cities but this one with Ryan was amazing! I really enjoyed the tour and the history and stories that he shared with us were mind blowing! Highly recommended :)
Excellent option to learn a lot about Edinburgh. Stuart was a very informative and approachable guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and had many stories to share! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the city.
It was a very interesting tour thanks to Greg, who make it really amusing. We learnt a lot about the old town, time passed super quick. We strongly recommend it!
We went on this tour after reading the reviews. Did not disappoint at all. Lachlan was amazing and knowledgeable about the local history here. A remarkable storyteller, he brought a lot of energy into the tour. Thanks a lot. Brilliant thing to do on your first day in Edinburgh.
Amazing tour, very informative and so many cool places to see! Our guide Alisdair was such a legend. Super funny and friendly, he had me laughing the whole time. He was very interactive with the group and clearly very passionate about the city. He made me fall in love with Edinburgh, the history and made me realize how much more there is to see. I had such a good time! Thank you Alisdair for the best afternoon.
The gratuity-based Free Tour is the best introduction to Edinburgh! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2.5 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.
The gratuity-based Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!
We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Edinburgh's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.
Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?
The route covers many of Edinburgh Old Town major landmarks
The meeting point is centrally located at 130 High Street
The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Edinburgh's fascinating history and must-see sites with your priva ...
Info & Booking
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Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Edinburgh's fascinating history and must-see sites with your priva ...
Info & Booking
£ -
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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