The Ultimate Edinburgh Shore Excursion Taxi and Walking Tour

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3 to 4 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

The Ultimate Edinburgh Shore Excursion!

Experience Scotland's capital with Dr. Moray Grigor—a local physician and tour guide with 100% 5 star reviews since 2018. He has crafted the perfect, flexible cruise excursion tailored to you:

Pre-Tour Planning: Moray aligns the day with your personal interests.

Flexible Pick-up: Real-time adaptation to cruise shuttle timings.
Moray, with his taxi provider partners, will meet you at your city drop-off.

Calton Hill: Start with panoramic views and local orientation.

Royal Mile Walk: A guided stroll from Holyrood to the Castle, packed with stories from Edinburgh native Moray.

Your Afternoon, Your Way
Moray’s walking tour ends at the Castle, but he stays available remotely to help guide the rest of your day:

Lunch: Rest and enjoy top Scottish dining near the Castle.

Flexible Activities: Choices include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, the National Museum and shopping.

Smooth Return: Stress-free advice on timing and transport back to your ship.

What's Included

Taxi transport from cruise shuttle drop off point to Calton Hill and then Royal Mile is included.
A refreshment break is usual on the tour but food/drink are not included in tour price.
For reasons of tour flexibility, transport back to the cruise shuttle bus stop is not included in the tour price.
Some Royal Mile sites such as St Giles' Cathedral have recommended donations or entrance fees. These visits are optional, and entrance fees are not included in tour price.
Lunch is not included in tour price, and location is as per guest choice

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point

The tour ends at our historic Castle Esplanade, at the west end of the Royal Mile.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 to 4 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Calton Hill

    We believe Calton Hill is the viewpoint supreme in Edinburgh - here you'll be looking over one of Europe's finest city vistas, combining both our historic Old and magnificent New Towns, as Moray gives a first introduction to Edinburgh and its ways!

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Here in the walking section of your tour, Moray will guide you the whole length of this most historic of thoroughfares, pointing out our landmarks and telling the stories and gossip of Edinburgh as we go, from the 11th century right up to the present day! Some of the landmarks we'll see are listed below:

    2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • Palace of Holyroodhouse (Pass by)

    Our Royal Mile walk will begin outside our magnificent palace, residence of the Royal Family during visits to Scotland, and site of the original Holyrood Abbey, founded by King David I of Scotland in 1128. You’ll discover Scotland’s very unusual and lovable animal emblem!

    Admission ticket free
  • The Scottish Parliament (Pass by)

    The striking seat of government in Scotland, built in 2004 for the re-established Scottish Parliament, which had been in abeyance from 1707 until 1999.

    Admission ticket free
  • Canongate Kirk (Pass by)

    Historic church from the days of King James VII and II, burial place of economist Adam Smith and David Rizzio, murdered secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Beautifully restored duke’s residence from 16th C, complete with amusing Latin wall inscriptions!

    Admission ticket free
  • 3

    A touch of tartan (and advice on Scottish heritage) if you wish, at this traditional kilt shop – featuring one of the Royal Mile’s favourite canines-in-residence, Bailey!

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • St Giles' Cathedral (Pass by)

    The ‘Mother Church’ of Scottish Presbyterianism, with beautiful and historic exterior (tour option available for cathedral entry)

    Admission ticket free
  • 4

    Seat of our supreme courts to this day, and resting place of religious reformer John Knox.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • Edinburgh City Chambers (Pass by)

    Now headquarters of our municipal council, this complex was built as a financial exchange, to a less than enthusiastic reception from our 18th century merchants!

    Admission ticket free
  • Lawnmarket (Pass by)

    Our historic former fabric and clothes marketplace, and once a very upscale section of the Royal Mile!

    Admission ticket free
  • Castlehill (Pass by)

    The uppermost and narrowest part of the Royal Mile, and always full of atmosphere, including, often, the ‘skirl of the pipes’!

    Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Summer construction access permitting, this parade ground right at the castle gates is the very ‘top of the town’, giving fabulous views both north and south.

    5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by 7 Hills Tours Edinburgh
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Tags

Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Car Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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