Mercat Tours - Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. 

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 in the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. 

Stand amongst history and hear it play out around you. With your Master Storyteller, discover Edinburgh hidden gems, listen to the sound of carriages clattering across cobblestones and unravel the stories of Edinburgh’s past citizens — people just like you. 

Take a journey through time, feel the cobblestones beneath your feet as you explore the lives of Edinburgh residents from generations past – from historical figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns, to the everyday folk who for their entire lives never left the city’s walls.

With every step along the Royal Mile, echoes of the past surround you — stories of royalty, rebellion, crime and culture brought vividly to life by our masterful Storytellers, and historic landmarks that still stand today. 

Want to visit Edinburgh Castle? We’ll arrange and collect the tickets for you.

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. 

Step into Edinburgh Castle alongside your Master Storyteller, with all entry arrangements handled so you can stay immersed in the story. 

The full Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile tour with a 45-minute introduction to Edinburgh Castle included, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes – simply choose this option when you book. Afterward, we recommend you allow an additional 1.5-2 hours to explore the rest of the Castle at your own pace. 

Prefer to join us for the 1 hour and 30-minute walking tour without Edinburgh Castle? That’s fine! There’s plenty of history to explore in Edinburgh’s Old Town.