Free walking tours during the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe
Let us show you the hidden corners of Edinburgh's historic Old Town.
Photo: David Smith
During the 2017 Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe (4th to 28th August), we offer twice-daily free walking tours of the Royal Mile – the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town.
- We'll show you not only many of the most famous historic sites in the city but also the out-of-the way corners and hidden places - closes and courtyards, pends and wynds - which you might never discover on your own.
- Our guides are all local people with a great enthusiasm for our city and its history, and who love to share their knowledge.
- Unlike some other tours, ours are genuinely free. Our guides do not solicit tips nor do we waste your time by taking you into gift shops or tourist outlets.
- We aim to keep our groups small, with typically six to eight people per tour (although sometimes there could be as many as twelve).
Tours leave from in front of the City Chambers in the Royal Mile (see our Contact Us page for directions). There are no formalities. Just turn up at one of the times shown below.
- Tours start every ten minutes between 10:00 and 10:30 and between 14:00 and 14:30 - every day during the festival period.
- There is no need to book in advance.
- Tours usually last between 2 and 2½ hours. You can, of course, leave the tour early if you wish.
Remember: there is no charge of any kind for tours from the 4th to 28th August 2017, provided you join the tour at the City Chambers at one of the times noted above.
If you prefer to take a tour at another time, or outside the Festival period, talk to us about a custom tour for your family or group.