Walking tour of Edinburgh
May 26th, 2015, 07:37 PM
#4
Me personally -- I'd do my own walking tour starting at the Castle and going all the way down the Royal Mile ending at Holyrood Palace. (It is all down hill -- then you can slog back up to where ever you are staying or catch a bus or cab)
But if you want an guided/organized tour w/ a twist . . .
http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp
http://www.realmarykingsclose.com
But if you want an guided/organized tour w/ a twist . . .
http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp
http://www.realmarykingsclose.com
May 27th, 2015, 03:27 AM
#6
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There's a lot of ghost tours operating out of the Royal Mile - these generally run in the evening (for obvious reasons). Mercat Tours is probably your best bet for a daytime tour, but there's really no necessaity to be on an organised tour when the city centre is so compact and easily navigated with a guide book.
Just to clarify one thing Janis mentioned: Real Mary King's Close is not a walking tour as such, it's a tourist attraction which involves a historically costumed actor taking you round an underground street (or "close") which is only open to paying customers. I thought it was quite well done and a chance to see another side of the city's history, others have found it a bit too cheesy and "disneyfied".
Just to clarify one thing Janis mentioned: Real Mary King's Close is not a walking tour as such, it's a tourist attraction which involves a historically costumed actor taking you round an underground street (or "close") which is only open to paying customers. I thought it was quite well done and a chance to see another side of the city's history, others have found it a bit too cheesy and "disneyfied".
May 27th, 2015, 05:49 AM
#7
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Thank you, Gordon. I am traveling with three friends who have never visited Edinburgh and I wanted to just get them oriented. I thought it might help them determine how they wanted to focus their time during our stay.
May 27th, 2015, 05:58 AM
#8
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though I live in Edinburgh I really have no idea of the walking tour companies though there does seem to be numerous Ghost tours around. I have seen the groups on the Sandeman's Free tours and the groups seem very large to me. Edinburgh is a very hilly place so there is a lot of ups and downs on any tour so be prepared for that.
As a real alternative to the tourist tours you could try a self guided tour of Edinburgh University ,I actually work for the University but not in the city center.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergr...ng/self-guided
Some stunning building and beautiful courtyards to see, might not get into any of the buildings but you will be able to walk in the footsteps of some pretty famous people.
As a real alternative to the tourist tours you could try a self guided tour of Edinburgh University ,I actually work for the University but not in the city center.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergr...ng/self-guided
Some stunning building and beautiful courtyards to see, might not get into any of the buildings but you will be able to walk in the footsteps of some pretty famous people.
May 27th, 2015, 07:36 AM
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Start at eponymous Castle, traverse Royal Mile (ensure stop at Royal Mile Whiskies and/or Cadenhead shop), pass the (er) unique Scottish Parliament building, visit (or view) Palace of Holyrood House.
Eat.
Turn north and walk up to Calton Hill, back through New Town past Burns statue en route to the Lister House then to Princes Street Gardens, smell the roses, collapse in a bloody heap from exhaustion.
That's one broad thumbnail option.
Eat.
Turn north and walk up to Calton Hill, back through New Town past Burns statue en route to the Lister House then to Princes Street Gardens, smell the roses, collapse in a bloody heap from exhaustion.
That's one broad thumbnail option.
May 27th, 2015, 07:37 AM
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Don't recall any hills in Edinburgh that actually went down. Certain that some should have due to gravity, physics, etc., but sure seemed all the bloody hills went one direction only: UP.
PS - forgot to mention Heart of Midlothian and St Giles Kirk on Royal Mile. Must've been thinking too much about the Cadenhead store . . .
PS - forgot to mention Heart of Midlothian and St Giles Kirk on Royal Mile. Must've been thinking too much about the Cadenhead store . . .
May 27th, 2015, 09:16 AM
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Don't recall any hills in Edinburgh that actually went down>
Doesn't the whole Royal Mile go downhill from the Castle to Holyrood House or is that not a hill to you? Start at top and walk down - now how do you get to the top - walk up!
Doesn't the whole Royal Mile go downhill from the Castle to Holyrood House or is that not a hill to you? Start at top and walk down - now how do you get to the top - walk up!
