Museum Scotland

This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. The first secret you’ll learn? That you can skip the line at Edinburgh Castle! Step into Edinburgh’s secrets and discover the heart of Scotland’s capital, beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks. A beautiful city steeped in awe-inspiring history that has been perfectly preserved to this day, in the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The castle towers over Edinburgh from up high on its ancient volcanic rock – a literal fortress, looking out over the city’s stunning landscapes. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it. Visit Edinburgh Castle with your Mercat Tours Storyteller and from the Royal Mile you’ll walk over the drawbridge and straight past the ticket line – leaving the queues behind and continuing your journey into Edinburgh’s history uninterrupted.

This guided walk with our unique guides, Stuart Usher or his son, Richard Usher, will entertain and enthral you. Also we are delighted to introduce two new guides; Dr Alison Duncan and David Forsyth, who are both professional historians and Edinburgh experts. We limit the tour to 12 guests so everyone is involved (unlike those many tours of 30, 40 or even more!) Stuart's family has historic connections with Edinburgh (Stuart's great-great Uncle, Andrew Usher, donated the magnificent Usher Hall to the city . Andrew was also known as the 'father of the scotch whisky blending industry').  Their deep knowledge of the cultural, historical and architectural aspects of the city means they have a unique perspective on our wonderful capital. Your guides will show you the cultural treasures of Edinburgh, the secrets of its past and its famous characters, and are rightly renowned for their entertaining and witty commentary.

On our Secret Food Tour: Edinburgh, you will not just eat delicious treats but also learn about the history of the food so you can understand Edinburgh's thriving culinary scene. You'll see Edinburgh's Old Town on a personal level and taste the dishes beloved by the locals. At the end of your tour, you'll have sampled some of Edinburgh's most delicious dishes and gained a better understanding of our culture and history.

*Entrance to Culloden Museum and Battlefield included in tour price On this tour, you take the single-track lanes through a Caledonian pine forest to one of the best walks in the region. But that’s not all, you also get a chance to learn about the last battle fought on British soil at Culloden and discover a Bronze Age tomb at Clava Cairns. Join this day-tour and explore one of Scotland’s most untouched landscapes.

Experience Hampden Park as the players do on match day and see historic treasures on this 2-hour stadium and museum tour. Visit the underground roadway, team changing rooms, and get the chance to strike a ball in the Hampden Hotshots gallery with the speed of your shot electronically measured. Walk down the tunnel, hear the famous “Hampden Roar,” and then follow in the footsteps of football legends by climbing the stairs to the cup presentation area.

Look out for sea creatures, ancient castles, and beautiful beaches on this tour along Scotland’s North East Coast. On this tour, you venture from Aberdeen and travel along Scotland’s North East Coast. You stumble upon strange caves and rock formations, spot dolphins at sea, and admire a grand castle that inspired scenes from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Your driver-guide keeps you entertained with stories from the past and will even recommend their favourite place to taste traditional Scottish Cullen Skink soup at your lunch stop in Cullen. Join this tour, explore the shores, and discover the wonders of North East Scotland.

Embark on a journey with us as we delve into the tales of courageous Highlanders, whose unwavering spirit led them to fight and sacrifice for their Bonnie Prince, Charles Edward Stuart, during the pivotal Battle of Culloden in 1746. We unravel the intricate events that set the stage for the battle, illuminating the profound implications it held for the Scottish people. Additionally, our exploration extends to the captivating film locations featured in the widely acclaimed "Outlander" TV series on Starz and the more recent production "One Day." Guided by an expert adorned in 18th-century attire, this immersive experience will transport you back to Scotland's golden age, kindling the flame of rebellion within. We have also won an award in Excellence in Service in Scotland in January 2024 which makes all our tours great value for money.

Explore centuries of history atop Castle Rock. See the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny, and mighty Mons Meg cannon. Discover St. Margaret's Chapel, the Great Hall, and panoramic city views. Uncover tales of kings, battles, and prisoners. Save your time slot, book your tickets now for an unforgettable journey through Scotland's past. Crown Jewels of Scotland: Witness the Honours of Scotland, including the crown, sceptre, and sword of state, glittering treasures that have played a central role in Scottish coronations. National War Museum: Explore Scotland's military history, from medieval battles to modern conflicts, through fascinating exhibits and artifacts. The Great Hall: Experience the grandeur of the Great Hall, with its impressive hammerbeam roof and displays of arms and armour.

From bodysnatching and beheadings to witchcraft and whippings, we share real life stories of crime and punishment from the last 500 years on this self-guided GPS audio tour. Along the way you’ll see major Aberdeen landmarks, from Marischal College to the Mercat Cross, and learn how they were witness to darkest chapters in the city’s history. Scot Free Tours sheds a light on the baffling and often unjust laws of the last five centuries – and reveals that past is not as far away as we think. Thousands of people have loved our 5-star rated live tours and now you can experience them with freedom of an audio guide! The tour plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us guide you around Aberdeen. The total walking distance is 3km and takes about 45 minutes without stopping, but you can pause anytime!

Lerwick is the main town and port of the Shetland Islands. On our first stop we will visit the incredible Clickimin Broch. After seeing this remarkable site, we will drive back to the centre and spend some time visiting some of the main attractions in this amazing village: Fort Charlotte- Hay´s Dock is a beautifully restored historic dock. Visit the Shetland Museum and Archives where the galleries are split into different zones. Enjoy the picturesquely grouped house and stores built on lodberry. Enjoy the views over Victoria Pier. You will visit the Scalloway area, until 1708 it was the capital of Shetland Island but now it is a fishing port, really worth a visit, on your way to Scalloway you can have a quick look some famous ponies of Shetland PLEASE NOTE: Walking is involved MISSING YOU ALREADY!!

Receive a warm welcome to Edinburgh on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way possible! In only 90 minutes, a local guide will get you acquainted with Edinburgh to help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest. Discover where to find Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? We got you covered; the local guides are experts in the subject! Forget about touristy traps; on this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction. Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Experience Hampden Park as the players do on match day and see historic treasures on this 2-hour stadium and museum tour. Visit the underground roadway, team changing rooms, and get the chance to strike a ball in the Hampden Hotshots gallery with the speed of your shot electronically measured. Walk down the tunnel, hear the famous “Hampden Roar,” and then follow in the footsteps of footballer legends by climbing the stairs to the cup presentation area.

Dundee: coolest city in Scotland or sink of humanity? On this self-guided GPS audio tour, you decide for yourself as I take you beyond Dundee's main tourist attractions. During the tour, you'll encounter a heroic pigeon, James Bond's grandfather and the world's worst poet. You'll learn why Winston Churchill vowed never to return here and how to survive when in the Arctic. The tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Dundee as well as those who want to learn more about their city – such as by finding out how Dundee came to own the largest cut emerald in existence. This audio tour takes you on a 3km walk around the many sights of Dundee, as well as the hidden corners. It takes just over an hour without stopping but you can pause the tour whenever you choose. The audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

The tour describes the regime in Scotland's only "Convict" prison. The tour describes how it housed Britain's first "state owned" railway and you will see former carriages and fittings, that were used in the railway. The tour describes and shows visitors how the famous SAS were used to end a dramatic 4 day siege in 1987. The tour will walk you through 125 years of turbulent history of Scotland's only high security prison. The tour will tease all your senses, from the visual, to the audio and olfactory leaving you thinking an inmate might just walk round the next corner. The tour is now a multi award winning visitor attraction and graded as a 5* attraction by Visit Scotland.

Eat your way through Edinburgh's culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved by the locals: from savory to sweet and local drinks; this tour will leave every foodie satisfied! Enjoy tastings typical of the local cuisine and hand-picked by a local guide passionate about food like Haggis and Whiskey. But that's not it! This tour is more than just food; it's a cultural experience! In between food stops, you'll also find city highlights making this experience a well-rounded tour that will satisfy every foodie. Withlocals The 10 Tastings Private Food Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Explore the famous landmarks and hidden secrets of the Edinburgh Old Town on this walking tour by an Edinburgh native. We will walk through Edinburgh’s historic streets and gain a unique insight into famous individuals who have called the city home. During the daytime Heritage Tour we will explore some of the famous tales of Edinburgh from Greyfriars Bobby to the history of St Giles Cathedral. This 1 hour walking tour is perfect for those who would like to know more about the city of Edinburgh and the history behind many of the buildings and landmarks, without taking up too much time of your day. During the nighttime Ghost tour we will explore the darker side fo Edinburgh's history, focusing more on the gory and gruesome details. This tour is perfect for all those who want to see Edinburgh at it really was at the time of mass murderers and criminal masterminds. I am happy to offer recommendations of other activities to do on your visit to Scotland. Private tours also accepted.

See the best of Edinburgh Old Town, learn all about its history—and explore totally independently, without worries of crowds—on this private, self-led audio tour. The creator of this amazing experience is Jule, who will be your audio voice and "virtual" companion during the whole experience. Upon booking, download the app to your smartphone and use when, and as often, as you’d like, for up to three weeks. You’ll see neighbourhoods and landmarks like The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Grassmarket, the Writers Museum and much more, and will learn behind-the-scenes stories from the audio narration of a Local Expert. Please note: when booking, you will get a separate email with instructions on how to download our app and redeem your unique code (this code is different from your booking reference number!).

Join us on a private tour through Edinburgh's historic Old Town. We will explore where J. K. Rowling gained her inspiration for her global phenomenon of Harry Potter. We will begin on the famous Royal Mile and in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle. Next we will wander down Edinburgh's "Diagon Alley" and then head into a real graveyard to see the grave "he who must not be named". We will also learn about the cafe's where she sat and wrote the beginning of the book and where she finished in the realms of luxury. Having gained a degree in Tourism Management in Edinburgh and having extensively worked in the Scottish tourism industry I feel I have the passion to show you around. I specialised my final year Thesis paper on the phenomenon that is Harry Potter and how it relates to Scottish tourism. All tours are small group sizes. No more than 10 people per group.

Make life-long memories with your tribe as you follow our local Edinburgh host on a family-friendly adventure through this fairytale city of castles and legends. Stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Town, Visit Edinburgh Castle or World of Illusions. Explore the city, discover a family-friendly neighborhood and feast on local food! Just let us know what your family's style is! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

To truly experience a city, you must deep dive into its culture, and there's no better cultural tradition to explore in Edinburgh than through its ghost tales, myths and legends. On this private tour, get a cultural awakening as you learn more about ghosts, myths and legends and why it's such a unique part of the city's character. Learn from its history to the present influence that still lingers in Edinburgh as you visit the Robert Fergusson statue, Canongate Kirkyard and more. Thanks to this cultural experience, you'll be able to see Edinburgh from a different perspective – the way the locals live it every day! Withlocals Treasures of Edinburgh Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and preventing over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.