Guards Patrol A 16th Century Journey Through Edinburgh

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  Step into history as you descend Fleshmarket Close—a dramatically steep, cobbled medieval alleyway carved right into Edinburgh’s iconic "fishbone" skyline

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  John Knox House Museum

  Walk down the High Street to the historic Netherbow Port to explore Edinburgh’s old guard patrol route, before returning to outside John Knox House to unpack the dramatic, fiery history of the Scottish Reformation

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Heart of Midlothian

  Continuing up the cobbled High Street, we’ll reach the Heart of Midlothian—the historic site of the Old Tolbooth. Once the bustling epicenter of Edinburgh's civic life, this spot served as the headquarters for both the Town Guard and the city council.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Gladstone's Land

  Next, we press farther uphill to Gladstone's Land, one of the finest surviving examples of a 16th-century high-rise on the Royal Mile. From the outside, we'll admire its historic façade and stone archways while uncovering how Edinburgh’s merchant class built straight upward to squeeze into the overcrowded city—and how the ever-present threat of fire made the Town Watch's rounds a matter of life and death.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Victoria Street (Pass by)

  ext, we navigate the lively crowds down Victoria Street—Edinburgh’s famous curved, colorful thoroughfare. As we walk past its vibrant shopfronts and soaring stone arches, we'll admire its unique two-tiered architecture while taking in the energetic buzz of one of the Old Town's most iconic streets.

  Admission ticket free
• 5
  Greyfriars Kirk

  We'll double back at the fountain at the bottom of Victoria Street—a perfect, central spot to grab a quick breather or join us into Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh. From the outside paths of the kirk, we'll take in the atmospheric old graves and hear the stories tied to these ancient grounds.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Flodden Wall

  From the Grassmarket , we’ll climb the historic stone steps of the Vennel, walking directly alongside surviving sections of the 16th-century Flodden Wall—Edinburgh’s ancient defensive city line. At the top, we’ll stop at The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle for one of the most iconic, picture-perfect framing views of Edinburgh Castle towering above the city.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Edinburgh Castle (Pass by)

  We complete our patrol on the sweeping stone pavement of the Esplanade, standing in the shadow of the colossal fortress walls of Edinburgh Castle. This optional final stop gives us a moment to gaze up at the ancient ramparts, unpack a little of the castle's fiery history—from royal birthplace to Scotland's most besieged stronghold—and take in panoramic views stretching across the city before we part ways.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please note this walking tour covers historic Old Town terrain, which includes steep inclines, uneven cobblestones, and flight steps (such as the Vennel). Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended, and this route may not be suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users.

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