The 15 Best History Tours in Scotland

Edinburgh Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Edinburgh, Royal Mile & Old Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

1.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town with a lively guide, historic closes, St Giles Cathedral, and castle views in a practical two-hour walk.

“Jule was a great story teller and showed lots of places of interest! Its been a great experience and would have given a 5-star rating if she was Scottish, speaking Scottish. Its a personal thing and not against Jule, again I think she did great and derserves 5 stars! When signing up it would help setting the expectation if the tour guide is a Scottish native or not.”

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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

2.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, Canongate Kirkyard, and South Bridge vaults on a relaxed 90-minute history tour for small groups.

“This was fun and our guide Emilie was fantastic but it was a little too long underground. I’d have liked more of the surrounding area.”

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Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

3.Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,384 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Explore Edinburgh’s Blair Street Vaults with a small group, vivid storytelling, historic artifacts, and practical tips before you book.

“The tour was brought to life by Joe who’s commentary made you feel as though you were being taken back a hundred years or more and were actually experiencing life in the vaults. The best experience in Edinburgh for me.”

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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

4.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Edinburgh Old Town walking tour review: a two-hour, guide-led look at medieval streets, legends, landmarks, value, meeting point, and practical tips.

“Very informative. Now I see the city with different eyes. History and places were a good match. There were also many tips.Auto-translated”

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Edinburgh – Dark History

5.Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Explore Edinburgh’s darker past on a two-hour Royal Mile walk covering executions, plague, body snatchers, graves, and grim city lore.

“James was an excellent tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and well spoken and he went out of his way to accommodate us all. If you’re looking for a fun and unique tour, this is the one to go on. We learned a lot of new facts about Edinburgh that we didn’t know before. The walking distance was also decent. It’s not too much and you only go up one flight of stairs. If you or your relatives have struggles with walking tours over a mile, this tour would be a good choice for you. I would absolutely recommend this tour!”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

6.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 632 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Explore Edinburgh’s witch trials and haunted past on a lively 75-minute walk from St Giles’ Cathedral to Grassmarket.

“Excellent tour to take of Edinburgh Witch history. Juniper was a wonderful tour guide. She was friendly, funny and all about witches. Definitely would recommend tour. Cheers!”

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Edinburgh: Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

7.Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $63

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, historic pubs, cask ales, and Scottish brewing traditions on a small-group walking tour.

“Iain did a great job talking us through the different styles of beers produced in scotland. We got to do a small tour around Edinburgh as well. Great time trying super unique beers :) Would recommend”

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Edinburgh: History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

8.History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Review of Edinburgh’s History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour, with route details, guide tips, price value, and advice on who should book.

“Great trip, Shanna was amazing, we had an interesting and fun walk around the city. We were told many secrets ond funny details.”

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St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer

9.St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $25

Review of St Andrews Old Course History Tour: price, route, guide, photos, access, value, and tips for golfers and non-golfers.

“Enjoyed a stroll around Hole 1 and 18 on the Old Course learning about course history and fun tidbits.”

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St Andrews Tours: Town, Golf and Old Course History

10.St Andrews Tours: Town, Golf and Old Course History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 138 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Explore St Andrews town, cathedral, castle, golf history, and the Old Course on a lively 1-hour-45-minute walking tour.

“Top notch tour, excellent guide, thank you Richard. Really learned a lot about the wonderful town of St Andrew and the history and golf course. Richard did over 8 years as a caddie and knows a ton of great info about St Andrew's. Tha k you !”

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Glasgow: Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

11.Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $63

Explore Glasgow’s brewing past, Merchant City pubs, and Scottish beer samples on this friendly two-hour walking tour.

“Very enjoyable few hours. I was only one on the tour which was a bit disappointing but at the same time beneficial to hear and ask more questions.”

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Private Greyfriars Kirkyard history tour

12.Private Greyfriars Kirkyard history tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $124

Review of Edinburgh’s private Greyfriars Kirkyard history tour, with pricing, guide style, itinerary, practical tips, and booking advice.

“Enjoyed learning about so many colourful characters buried within the Kirkyard. The guide was knowledgeable, entertaining & very friendly. Would definitely recommend.”

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Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh

13.Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $20

Explore Edinburgh’s coffee past on a small-group walk through Old Town closes, ending with coffee in the underground Lost Close.

“This was a super interesting tour with a great knowledgeable and funny guide. Really enjoyed it, particularly the history of coffee in Edinburgh.”

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St Andrews, Fife Coast Walk & Historic Abbey Tour from Edinburgh

14.St Andrews, Fife Coast Walk & Historic Abbey Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $110

Review of the St Andrews and Fife Coast tour from Edinburgh, with Lady’s Tower, historic abbeys, scenic bridges, pricing, and practical tips.

“Really nice day touring around Scotland with Warren. He was engaging, full of stories, and flexible to our needs. My husband and I truly enjoyed the tour and Warren made it even better.”

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