Walking Tours

Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour and Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

Tour group exploring a narrow alley on the Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour in Edinburgh.

Cobblestone street on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, with historic buildings and red phone booths.

Royal Mile street sign in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Tour guide explaining Edinburgh Castle to visitors on the Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour.

Duration

2 hr 15 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

5.0/5

(10)

Tiffany

Sep 2025

Verified booking

Our tour guide, Linda was amazing! She involved the group in ways that made even this very antisocial person comfortable and included without feeling overwhelmed. Linda's knowledge and presentation of the history we walked in were outstanding and kept us all waiting for the next story! If we ever make it back, we will be using Mercat Tours again!

Foteini

Jan 2026

Verified booking

Mally, our guide knows what he's doing. Excellent guide with a sense of humour, full of historical knowledge and a bag full of secrets just for his listeners. I'm so glad I booked it. I recommend it 👌 👍 😄

Catherine

Jan 2026

Verified booking

As we were a small group Craig took us to some of the less visited secrets of the Royal Mile. A very interesting tour with a guide that was very knowledgeable about Scottish history in general. Highly recommended.

Join a small-group English-guided walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town and learn hidden stories from its centuries-old past.

Walk the Royal Mile with a Mercat Storyteller and hear vivid tales of royalty, rebels, poets, and ordinary townsfolk who once lived here.

Visit historic closes, wynds, and courtyards that reveal how life once unfolded inside Edinburgh’s walled Old Town.

The experience continues with skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle & a 45-min guided overview at the gates before independent exploration.

90-mins walking tour of Royal Mile and Old Town

Skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle

45-min introduction to Edinburgh Castle

Live English-speaking guide

Exclusive multi-sensory experience delivered through TourTalk audio devices

Transportation between attractions

Food and drinks

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

10 reviews
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What our guests say
Foteini
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Mally, our guide knows what he's doing. Excellent guide with a sense of humour, full of historical knowledge and a bag full of secrets just for his listeners. I'm so glad I booked it. I recommend it 👌 👍 😄
Catherine
Jan 2026
Verified booking
As we were a small group Craig took us to some of the less visited secrets of the Royal Mile. A very interesting tour with a guide that was very knowledgeable about Scottish history in general. Highly recommended.
Debbie
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Linda was so knowledgeable and entertaining. She showed us so many extra parts and made it fun. Don't think she could have done anymore. Would highly recommend this tour. Ask for Linda too
Tiffany
Sep 2025
Verified booking
Our tour guide, Linda was amazing! She involved the group in ways that made even this very antisocial person comfortable and included without feeling overwhelmed. Linda's knowledge and presentation of the history we walked in were outstanding and kept us all waiting for the next story! If we ever make it back, we will be using Mercat Tours again!
Andrea
Sep 2025
Verified booking
Terrific tour guide. Really enjoyed all the history that was shared. Would highly recommend the tour to friends and family.!

Unearth the true terrors of Edinburgh’s past on a chilling underground tour led by expert storytellers through the city’s most haunted vaults.

Getting started

Meet your tour guide near the Royal Mile. After your ticket check and audio device handout, you’ll set off on foot through Edinburgh’s winding closes and cobbled lanes.

What to expect

Trace centuries of real stories along the cobbled Royal Mile — from monarchs and poets to revolutionaries and residents who never left the city walls. Along the way, your storyteller will share true tales of Edinburgh’s past in the very spots where they unfolded.

Features:

Old Town walking tour: Explore Edinburgh’s historic closes, wynds, and courtyards with a master storyteller leading the way.

Royal Mile insights: Learn about figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns, and the ordinary people who shaped city life through the centuries.

Audio devices included: Stay connected to every story and whisper, even in the darkest corners of the vaults.

Edinburgh Castle visit: Choose the extended tour to skip the ticket line and enjoy a 45-minute guided introduction before exploring the Castle on your own.

Extended walking tour: Select the longer version of the tour to deepen your experience of Edinburgh’s Old Town with even more stories and sites.

This tour offers a deep and engaging look at the city's living history, perfect for first-time visitors and curious returners alike. This isn’t about jump scares, it’s about real stories in real places, making it one of Edinburgh’s most spine-tingling experiences.

Edinburgh Castle

Monday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Saturday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm
Sunday	9:30am - 5:00pm	last entry 4:00pm

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Monday	9:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:15pm
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	9:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:15pm
Friday	9:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:15pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:15pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:15pm

What’s not allowed

Safety is a priority, so this experience is restricted to guests under the age of 5 years.

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Large bags, rucksacks and suitcases (30L or over) are not allowed inside the castle for security reasons.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

People with cardiac issues are restricted from participating in this experience.

Complimentary admission is offered to carers accompanying a paying visitor.

Additional information

This tour only covers the upper half of the Royal Mile. Note that the Royal Mile is not covered if you choose the 75-min walking tour of the Blair Underground Vault.

If you will not be arriving at your destination within the specified reconfirmation period, please reconfirm with the local service provider prior to travel or upon arrival at your destination.

Please note that departure times and locations may vary slightly.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Mercat Cross.

Address: High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, United Kingdom.

Get directions to the meeting point