Guided Tours

Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour with Fast-Track Entry

Exterior of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

Statue of Earl Haig in front of Edinburgh Castle entrance, Scotland.

Canon gun at Edinburgh Castle with city view in the background, part of guided walking tour with fast-track entry.

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Open today

09:30am - 06:00pm

Free cancellation

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

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Uncover Scotland's rich history with a 90-minute guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, inclusive of fast-track entry and personalized language options.

4.6/5

(109)

Lahem

Jul 2025

Verified booking

It was a truly memorable visit. The place transports you back to ancient times, where kings once lived and rulers rose and fell. The castle stands as a monumental testament to the rich cultural and human heritage of Scotland—its enduring presence a living record of the nation’s history. Many came to know it through the film Braveheart, which stirred the hearts of viewers around the world and fostered deep admiration and sympathy for the Scottish people, inspired by the legendary freedom fighter William Wallace. A heartfelt thank you goes to our guide, whose wealth of knowledge enriched our understanding of this beautiful country and its remarkable past.

Macey

Jul 2025

Verified booking

Today we visited the impressive Edinburgh Castle with guide Sara. Thanks to her enthusiasm, humor and knowledge, the rich history of the castle really came alive. She told fascinating stories about the crown jewels, old battles and hidden stories behind the thick walls. Especially her anecdotes made the tour unique and unforgettable. Highly recommended!

Sydney

Jun 2025

Verified booking

The tour was pretty shambolic at first. We were in the first group and the girl told us to wait across the road. She then disappeared. Seven of us joined the second group with Ross. He rescued the situation and was a very good D guide - informative, interesting and entertaining.. would have been excellent except the shambolic start.

Embark on a 90-minute guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle, steeped in rich history and royal tales that go back 3,000 years.

Enjoy a seamless experience with fast-track entry, bypassing the crowded lines to explore Scotland's most visited fortress.

Immerse in the charm of the old world with attractions like the 16th-century Great Hall, the venue of all the jolly feasts, and a unique canine cemetery.

Walk along the castle's promenade for panoramas of the city, and choose from English or Spanish guided tours for a personalized experience.

Fun fact: The castle, a symbol of Scottish pride, is built on an ancient volcanic rock and houses the city's oldest surviving building!

90-min guided tour of Edinburgh Castle

Skip-the-line entry

English/Spanish-speaking guide

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

How do we collect reviews?
4.6
109 ratings
5/5
81
4/5
20
3/5
5
2/5
2
1/5
1
Guests from United States, Spain, Ireland and over 30 countries have loved this experience
Ashton
May, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The castle tour was absolutely amazing. My best friend and I were visiting Edinburgh for the first time and decided to go on the castle tour and it was DEFINITELY worth it. The castle itself is already amazing but our tour guide Jen was absolutely incredible. From start to finish she seemingly knew everything there was to know about the castle, was very fun and engaging and made the tour even better. Anyone planning on doing this tour should 100% do it and 1000% as for Jen if you can!
Macey
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Today we visited the impressive Edinburgh Castle with guide Sara. Thanks to her enthusiasm, humor and knowledge, the rich history of the castle really came alive. She told fascinating stories about the crown jewels, old battles and hidden stories behind the thick walls. Especially her anecdotes made the tour unique and unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Bernat
Jul, 2025Verified booking
3/5
No issue at all, or minor actually. Exactly what I expected from an average guided visit. Nothing wrong, nothing remarkable. That's why I rate 3, average
Yasemin
Jul, 2025Verified booking
4/5
Buying the ticket was so easy, meeting points etc.. was co clear, our guide was excellent ; you could see that he loves what he does, Ofcourse the castle ,nothing to say about it
Jose
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The Edinburgh Castle was by far one of my favorite activities in Edinburgh, lots of info and museums, plenty to do and see, the views are unique, and the recreations are pretty immersive.

A journey through Scottish history

From being the most visited castle in Scotland to being the inspiration behind the backdrop of Harry Potter, Edinburgh Castle has one too many crowns to its name. Take this chance to dive into 3,000 years of Scottish history at the castle with a guided tour, and save yourself the hassle of bypassing the often crowded entry lines with fast-track entry. Starting from the iconic Royal Mile, your experienced guide will lead you to the castle esplanade and enrich you with facts about the Castle's former residents.

Old buildings to glittering jewels

Once inside the castle, discover the tale of Scotland's kings and queens and explore hidden gems like the Chapel of Saint Margaret, the oldest building in Edinburgh. Step into the canine cemetery, a testament to Scotland's military mascots, appreciating the service of soldier animals. Marvel at the Honours of Scotland housing the oldest crown jewels in British Isle, and the Stone of Destiny that was used in the inauguration of kings.

Edinburgh Castle

Monday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Wednesday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	09:30am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm

What to bring

It’s recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

What's not allowed

Flash photography and tripods are not allowed on this experience.

Accessibility

Guide dogs are allowed on this experience.

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 Advocates Close.

Address: Edinburgh EH1 1ND, United Kingdom.

Landmark: St. Giles’ Cathedral.

Guide Identifier: Look for a black umbrella with the Scotland City Tours' yellow logo.

Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Getting There

By Bus

The closest bus stop is North Bridge (Stop NB). It is a quick 7-minute walk to the meeting point.

Board bus X95 to get you there.