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Offered languages
- English
- English
Step into the living history of Scotland’s most famous street with Voice of the Mile, an immersive GPS audio walking tour along Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile. Guided by the rich, commanding narration of acclaimed actor James Smillie, you will trace centuries of royal drama, bloody rebellions, and dark intrigue at your own pace.
From the formidable Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle down to the majestic gates of Holyroodhouse, James Smillie brings the cobbled wynds to life. Uncover the secret world of 18th-century spy Daniel Defoe, stand where serial killers Burke and Hare targeted their victims, and walk the quiet courtyards that inspired Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Powered by automatic GPS triggers, your audio plays seamlessly as you walk—no searching or reading required. Download the tour in advance on the VoiceMap app to explore entirely offline without using mobile data. Simply put on your headphones, press start, and let James Smillie guide you through the real story of the Royal Mile
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Install the VoiceMap app before arrival and enter your voucher access code. This is a self-guided GPS audio walking tour—start, pause, or resume anytime at your own pace. Detailed directions to the exact starting point will display inside the app once installed
The audio tour finishes outside the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, leaving you ideally placed to explore Holyrood Park or visit the Palace.
Itinerary
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Edinburgh Castle Esplanade (Pass by)
Start your journey at Castlehill, right outside the historic walls of Edinburgh Castle. As you stand on the Esplanade taking in panoramic views across the city, your GPS audio tour will introduce you to centuries of royal history, sieges, and legends. You’ll admire the grand castle fortress from the outside before beginning your stroll down the Royal Mile.
Admission ticket free -
Witches well (Pass by)
Pause at the small, intricate brass fountain on the wall of Castlehill. As you view the monument, your GPS audio tour reveals the tragic history of the thousands of women accused of witchcraft in Scotland between the 16th and 18th centuries, telling the poignant stories behind this overlooked memorial.
Admission ticket free -
Victoria Street (Pass by)
Stand on the elevated terrace looking down over the vibrant curved cobbles of Victoria Street below. As you admire the colorful storefronts, your GPS audio tour reveals how Victoria Street was constructed in the 19th century to improve access across the Old Town.
Admission ticket free -
Writers' Museum (Pass by)
Step into the quiet courtyard of Lady Stair's Close to view Lady Stair's House. As you take in the 17th-century architecture and famous literary quotes carved into the paving stones, your tour shares the stories of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. (Admission to the museum interior is completely free if you wish to pop in!)
Admission ticket free -
St Giles' Cathedral (Pass by)
Stand in Parliament Square outside historic St Giles' Cathedral. Learn about John Knox and the Scottish Reformation, spot the Heart of Midlothian mosaic on the cobbles, and discover the surprisingly modest final resting place of John Knox around the corner in Parking Space 23.
Admission ticket free -
Mercat Cross (Pass by)
Stand beside the iconic octagonal monument capped with a carved unicorn on the High Street. Learn how the Mercat Cross served as the historic heart of royal proclamations, civic announcements, public markets, and executions throughout Edinburgh's history.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pause outside Moubray House, one of the oldest occupied residential buildings in Edinburgh, dating back to 1477. Discover how Daniel Defoe—author of Robinson Crusoe—operated from this building in the early 1700s as a secret agent working on the Act of Union.
Admission ticket free -
The Netherbow (Pass by)
Stand outside the historic World's End pub and spot the brass markers in the street marking the medieval Netherbow Port gateway. Learn how 16th-century locals viewed this gate as the literal edge of their world, giving the tavern its famous name.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pause near Gullan's Close on the Canongate to hear the dark history of serial killers William Burke and William Hare. Learn the tragic story of 18-year-old Mary Paterson, who was murdered nearby in 1828 before being sold to Dr Robert Knox, before strolling into the tranquil stone courtyard of Chessel's Court. Learn about the infamous 1788 armed robbery that exposed the double life of Deacon Brodie—a city councillor by day and burglar by night—who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Admission ticket free -
Canongate Kirk (Pass by)
Stop outside historic Canongate Kirk and explore its peaceful kirkyard. As you walk through the grounds, your GPS audio tour leads you to the final resting places of pioneering economist Adam Smith and celebrated poet Robert Fergusson. In the churchyard, discover the memorial plaque dedicated to David Rizzio, private secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was murdered at nearby Holyrood Palace in 1566
Admission ticket free -
White Horse Close (Pass by)
Step into picturesque White Horse Close, tucked away at the foot of the Canongate near Holyrood Palace. As you admire the whitewashed stone buildings and external wooden staircases, your GPS audio tour reveals how this quiet courtyard once housed the staging post for coaches traveling to London
Admission ticket free -
Palace of Holyroodhouse (Pass by)
Finish your journey at the foot of the Royal Mile outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the British Monarch. Standing before its grand forecourt and gates, your GPS audio tour brings to life the drama of Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here in the 1560s, and the dark tale of her secretary David Rizzio, who was murdered inside the royal apartments
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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