Historical Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£85
per group
Historic Edinburgh Tours
Historic Edinburgh Tours
5
City ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursWalking ToursNight ToursPrivate Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Full view
About
Historic Edinburgh Tours give you a unique and fascinating insight into the city's rich history. Your expert local guide, Robert, will take you on a journey through time, telling you stories of the people and places that have made Edinburgh one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. So whether you're interested in learning about the city's medieval past or its more recent history, our tours will leave you with a memorable and lasting impression of this beautiful city. Each of our private tours is led by our kilted, award-winning guide.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Historical Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£85
per group
Historical Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£90
per group
Historical Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£85
per group
Travellers talk about
(3 reviews)
(10 reviews)
(8 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
356 reviews
Excellent
351
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
susanne
Palm City, FL3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Robert was a great and knowledgeable tour guide!! We highly recommend home for your tour of Edinburgh!
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan D
Denver, CO32 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We did the Greyfriars Kirkyard tour with Robert and it was one of the highlights of our entire trip. Robert sent clear instructions on when and where to meet and arrived ready to go. He spent a few minutes getting to know us and what we wanted out of the private tour. We then proceeded with a wonderful hour and 45 minute tour that included a lot of history, some great folklore and many delightful stories. Robert is a great story teller and guide, he also ended the tour by showing us a great balcony in the Scottish Museum that allowed us the opportunity to take some amazing photos of Edinburgh Castle and Greyfrair's Kirk. I recommend Robert as a guide and this tour to anyone wanting a lot of great stories of the characters in Greyfriar's Kirk.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
Awww! Thank you so much for your really kind review. I had a fantastic time with you both, you were great fun and so interested in the history of my city. It was a pleasure and a privilege to meet you and to spend a little part of your vacation time with you. I hope Scotland gave you all you hoped for.
Many thanks,
Robert
Written 5 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David K
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Robert was absolutely fantastic. We had visited Edinburgh previously so he made sure to show us sites we had not seen before. He did try to get us to try “starter” haggis but just wasn’t able to convince us to try a Scottish version of bologna.
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
This did make me smile! Thank you for leaving such a nice review. Like I said to you on the tour, I wasn't a fan of Icelandic fish, despite my Icelandic tour guide really trying to make me want to try it.! Thank you for giving it a wee thought though! I hope you both had an amazing time on the rest of your cruise.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 5 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kim C
Olive Branch, MS7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Robert was great! Knowledge about the beautiful city of Edinburgh, Harry Potter and Outlander and has sense of humor that made the experience even more enjoyable! Highly recommend Robert and Historic Edinburgh Tours company.
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Kim,
Thank you for so many things. Firstly, I had a brilliant time with your group. You all (Y'all?) had such a high interest in Edinburgh and a keen sense of humour; I had a blast! Thank you also for being patient when I realised an issue with the booking; I appreciated that.
It was lovely to meet you all. I hope you had a great time at the Forth Bridge and St Andrews.
Meeting and taking you around my home city was an absolute pleasure.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Juan Pablo Gonzalvo
Tampa, FL8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had a great tour of Greyfrier’s graveyard with Robert the tour guide. He is a school teacher and his knowledge of the people buried there and his ability to add interesting stories from history make the tour well worth it. He can tell you excellent details of the lives of the dead that are buried there which makes the tour more interesting. He has an excellent flair for storytelling. He is also very personable and what to give you a great experience. My wife and I enjoyed the tour and the few hours we spent with Robert. He also gave us some excellent suggestions for restaurants and activities. Do think about and take this tour you will enjoy it.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr Gonzalvo,
Thank you for your very quick (I know you're still on vacation) and very kind review. I had a really enjoyable time with you both. Thank you for your interest in a very specific location from Scotland's history and thank you for being such good company throughout the tour.
I hope you have a wonderful time in Scotland.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travelgot2
Victoria, Australia65 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
One of the best walking tour ever!
Every step was a step in history, every step was intriguing and every step informative.
Robert is a fabulous guide, so glad we did Edinburgh with you!
It's been a long time in the planning.. Planned pre COVID and so pleased we finally got to take your tour.
The tour was much more than expected.
Robert tailor made our tour, with plenty of stops, taking us to all our requested places, all the Wynds and Closes.
It felt like a step vack in time.
Robert was so patient, answered all my questions and even after all these years, happy to become our friend.
We highly regard Robert and valued his wonderful knowledge and humour..
We highly recommend Historical Edinburgh Tours..
It's a must do! Talk with Robert and he will make sure you also discover all the hidden gems.
Robert is a treasure..Best tour guide ever!
Every step was a step in history, every step was intriguing and every step informative.
Robert is a fabulous guide, so glad we did Edinburgh with you!
It's been a long time in the planning.. Planned pre COVID and so pleased we finally got to take your tour.
The tour was much more than expected.
Robert tailor made our tour, with plenty of stops, taking us to all our requested places, all the Wynds and Closes.
It felt like a step vack in time.
Robert was so patient, answered all my questions and even after all these years, happy to become our friend.
We highly regard Robert and valued his wonderful knowledge and humour..
We highly recommend Historical Edinburgh Tours..
It's a must do! Talk with Robert and he will make sure you also discover all the hidden gems.
Robert is a treasure..Best tour guide ever!
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well, I've just finished my Tim Tams! Thank you SO much for an awfully lot - for your custom, for your Tim Tams, for your lovely review and for your friendship before and after the tour.
I LOVE the photos we got - the one of the two of you in White Horse Close is very sweet.
I hope you had the Scotland experience you both hoped for, and deserved.
Please do keep in touch.
Yours,
Robert
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ron H
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Friends
Our private tour of Old Edinburgh with Robert Howie was AMAZING! Best tour each of us has ever been on. Robert was engaging, knowledgeable, funny, and tailored the tour to our interests. We were hanging on his every word and didn't want the tour to end. So glad we saw Old Edinburgh this way. Thank you Robert!
-Ron, Jo, Rick & Robyn from Canada
-Ron, Jo, Rick & Robyn from Canada
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Ron,
I had such a great time with you all! Thank you for being such great company throughout the tour. I hope you had a wonderful time in Scotland.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Crystal D
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Friends
Robert is an amazing tour guide, I wish he could have accompanied us everywhere while we were in Edinburgh. He was very knowledgeable, engaging, and enjoyable.
Thank you for the haggis recommendations, we went with the traditional meal and it was pretty good.
Thank you for the haggis recommendations, we went with the traditional meal and it was pretty good.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Crystal,
Thank you for your custom and your very kind comments, especially when I know you had done so much when in Scotland. Your trip honestly sounded like the adventure of a lifetime, and I'm very humbled by your comments.
I hope you both had a lovely time. It was nice you found a new friend in Scotland, and I hope you keep in touch with each other.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 2 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Global53778269421
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Business
While in Scotland, we took three different tours and Robert's was by far the best. He made the history come alive, adding color and insight into the past. He was so well-informed, friendly, and interested, it was like walking through Edinburgh with a favorite companion.
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That's lovely to hear! I'm glad you had a great experience in Scotland and thank you for your kind words about my tour. I've really enjoyed my tours this year, Edinburgh does so much of the 'heavy-lifting' for guests, it's an incredible place. Thank you also for your kind words about 'favourite companion'. You've no idea how that makes me feel.
Thank you!
I hope your stay here was incredibly enjoyable.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 11 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lauren D
Philadelphia, PA29 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Robert is a wonderful tour guide. He was very accommodating and customized the tour based on our personal needs (my mother is elderly and walks slowly). He has a lot of knowledge on the history of Edinburgh and is an excellent story teller. I would highly recommend this tour!
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lauren,
Thank you for your very kind words. You were both great company, and I thoroughly enjoyed showing you my city. I'm very glad you enjoyed the view from the Museum of Scotland.
Thank you for trusting me with some of your valuable vacation time. I hope your trip here was enjoyable.
Best wishes,
Robert
Written 11 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LaHabanera2361
Malaga, Spain4 contributions
Hello. I’ld like to book a tour for Historic Edinburg for five on the 28/October but am unable to do so through this web link. How can I buy these tickets? Time is of the essence!
RobertHowie
Edinburgh, UK62 contributions
Hi there,
I'm sorry I didn't get an alert for this message. I can still help you with this, if you wish. Do you want to text/call me on 07590026077?
Yours,
Robert
Maggie May
4 contributions
Could you cater for a group of 12 on either Saturday 5th or Sunday 6th October? ML
RobertHowie
Edinburgh, UK62 contributions
Hi there,
Thanks for your request. I replied to your email. I look forward to speaking to you!
Yours,
Robert
Gaëlle S
Seignelay, France29 contributions
Hello, we are a french family of 4. We would like to discover old Edinburg and its history during around 1h30 - 2h. Have you visit in french ? Thanks for your reply
RobertHowie
Edinburgh, UK62 contributions
Hi there,
I'm very sorry, I am unable to speak French to this standard. I hope you find something suitable.
Many thanks for your interest in my tours,
Yours,
Robert
Salut,
Je suis vraiment désolé, je suis incapable de parler français à cette norme. J'espère que tu trouves quelque chose de convenable.
Merci beaucoup de votre intérêt pour mes visites,
Le tiens,
Robert
GaleN536
Pittsburgh, PA333 contributions
How large is the group; is there a limit? or is this an "all are welcome" possibly resulting in a large group?
RobertHowie
Edinburgh, UK62 contributions
Hi there,
My scheduled group tours are rarely above fifteen. It does depend on when you will visit. This week I still have a lot of availability on my tours. Would you like to email me with the tour you are interested in and we can discuss it there.
Thanks for showing an interest in my tours.
Yours,
Robert
I have a group of college students who will be taking a trip to Scotland in mid-April. Do you have any evening (after 5 PM) tours that could be tailored to a group of 25 business students?
RobertHowie
Edinburgh, UK62 contributions
Hi there,
Thanks for asking this. I've also got your email and a reply will be with you this evening. Thank you for considering us!
Yours,
Robert