best walking tour companies scotland

                      Walking and Hiking Tours in Scotland

Scotland's Western Highlands and Isle of Skye

Scotland: Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides

Scotland: The Great Glen Way Self-Guided Tour

• Sup erb Guid es
• Over 30 years of experience
• Quaint and Authentic hotels, inns and B&B's
• "Pub" life
• Carefully created intineraries
• Moors, Woodland, Lakes, Lush Valley's, and Mountains
• History, Culture and Literature

Guided & Self-Guided Walking and Hiking Tours in Scotland

Scotland: Western HIghlands and Isle of Skye

GUIDED 

$3,975 - 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

The Scottish Highlands-- a vast land of raw beauty and rugged mountains, unspoiled wilderness and majestic scenery. 

$3,975 - 7 Nights / 8 Days

And off-shore lie the Hebrides, a myriad of magical islands rugged landscapes that  slide unhurriedly into the Atlantic.

The Great Glen Way

SELF-GUIDED

$1,350 - 8 Nights / 9 Days / 7 Days Walking

Discovering the impressive castles on the route, including Uruhart Castle and Ardverikie Castle.

West Highland Way - North Section

$975 - 6 Nights / 7 Days / 5 Days Walking

Climbing the challenging highland section of the West Highland Way..

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Scotland Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable Scotland tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in Scotland and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 183072 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of Scotland travel companies & tour operators with 183072 reviews

MacBackpackers

• Excellent - 2,528 reviews for Scotland tours

Amazing tour! Fast paced and fun with incredible views of the highlands.

If you have limited time to explore Scotland and love the adventure and good vibes of backpacking, I 100% recommend traveling with MacBackpackers. I opted for the 3-day tour, and the experience exceeded all my expectations. The accommodations were cozy, with exceptional staff who organize unforgettable activities. The transportation was also very comfortable, punctual, and safe. I want to give a special thanks to Branka, our tour guide, who was amazing. Not only for her charisma and the passion she puts into her work but also for providing quality, entertaining content and making you feel Scotland like a local. I recommend it 100%! --------- Si dispones de poco tiempo para explorar Escocia y te encanta la aventura y la buena onda de los viajes mochileros, te recomiendo al 100% que viajes con MacBackpackers. Opté por el tour de 3 días y la experiencia superó todas mis expectativas. Los lugares para descansar son acogedores, con un personal excepcional que organiza actividades inolvidables. El transporte también fue muy cómodo, puntual y seguro. Quiero agradecer especialmente a Branka, nuestra guía turística, que fue increíble. No solo por su carisma y la pasión que pone en su trabajo, sino también por ofrecer un contenido de calidad, entretenido y hacerte sentir Escocia como un local. ¡Lo recomiendo al 100%!

Intrepid Premium

• Excellent - 320 reviews for Scotland tours
• This operator has no Scotland reviews

• Excellent - 74,884 reviews for Scotland tours

Great trip, good hotels and guiding and lovely food!

Was well organised and good.

Insight Vacations

• Excellent - 626 reviews for Scotland tours

Wonderful trip. Saw a great variety of places.

Scotland was beautiful, the hotels and meals ....not so good. The coach and driver were excellent, while the tour director had exactly nothing to say while driving for hours thru magnificent landscapes. The Edinburgh hotel was passable, but was not in Edinburgh. The hotel in Glasboro was a Radison Blue, which was fine. the remaining hotels were awful. In one hotel we had a double bed, not a king, not a queen, but a double bed....really! In 2 hotels the fire alarms went off before 6AM in the morning. You had to react because these buildings were old and most may have lacked fire protection. The hotel breakfasts were generally awful, crowded, and long waits to get a coffee from the machine. The included dinners were terrible, the same menu night after night. One exception was the included dinner in Edinburgh, which was at a restaurant and was quality food and drink. everything after that was trash. breakfast on the last day in Glasgow was very nice, and what I would have expected from an upscale tour. One thing I thought was an insult, was the night spent on Skye. There was no included tour of Skye, so if you wanted to see anything other than the hotel, the only choice was an optional $29.00 bus ride for an hour or so. Bad weather forced the cancellation of the trip to Orkney...so we killed a day with a castle visit. Earlier this year we were on a Viking river cruise that missed a port for a mechanical reason. Before I got home, Viking sent me a $1000.00 credit for a future cruise. They know how to treat guests, Insight not so much. In summary, low end hotels that were in many cases dirty, and mediocre food, and a tour director that had nothing to say. that will be my first and last Insight tour.

Europamundo

• Good - 2,976 reviews for Scotland tours

Loved Jose and his team. They’re extremely professional and you cannot even begin to imagine how much fun you will have ❤️?

Everything came up roses! We , Neil and I, were very pleased with everything. We especially, loved our guide, Jose. He was very knowledgeable, very friendly, easy going, and was an excellent guide. Thank you.

G Adventures

• Excellent - 19,088 reviews for Scotland tours

Tour guide and bus driver were both excellent. Starting hotel was terrible and no where near the main area of Edinburgh. Breakfast there was a granola bar, croissant in a plastic wrap, a yogurt, and a juice box. Our hotel room in Inverness had a leaky ceiling which we reported to the front desk right away. They said they sent maintenance to fix the issue, but that evening it was leaking again. G Adventures itinerary is not reflective of the actual tour and for many extra activities listed there was no time to do them even if we had wanted to. Isle of Skye was a real highlight along with Inverness. We only received our tour vouchers the night before we left Canada and we had to call to get it. We will not consider G Adventures for any of our future travel needs.

This was my second G Adventures tour and it proved to be as enjoyable as the first one, which was the main reason my wife and I booked it. The small size of the tour group and the variety of people made it all the better. The tour offered a good balance between structured visits of major attractions and free time to explore on our own. I would not hesitate to recommend a G Adventures tour to anyone seeking a guided travel experience in the company of other like-minded travelers.

Intrepid Travel

• Excellent - 11,700 reviews for Scotland tours

Intrepid needs to tighten up this tour. Two free afternoons is too much when one has only three days on the island. Either make the tour two full days or two full days with one full day free to make plans to go to Hoy or Rousay. Give people guidance on what to do on the free day.

I recently traveled with a friend to Scotland. We included a week long tour with Intrepid, booked through Tour Radar. We paid a very healthy sum for the tour, $3,460 each. The description said the trip was appropriate for ages 15-99. It also described two nights in Portree on Isle of Skye with a private van tour on the full day on Isle of Sky. My friend and I chose this tour because of the time spent in Portree and on Isle of Skye, the small group size, and that if it was okay for ages 15-99 then I’d be fine six months post a major knee surgery. What wasn’t included in the description and what happened: -No where did it say that we’d be expected to walk/transport our luggage on foot from Points of transportation to our lodging ranging from 10-20 minutes. My 94 year old father-in-law lives with us and is able bodied, but there’s no way he could have done these distances While also carrying/pulling luggage. My 87 year old mother could not accomplish this either. I could do it with my recovering knee, but I was slower and it also used up some of the energy I needed for enjoying walking portions of the tour. I didn’t anticipate having to schlep my suitcase for 15 minutes at a time over uneven sidewalks, etc. I would have packed differently had I known or we would have looked for a different tour. -My friend and I still wonder why Fort Williams was included on the itinerary as a place to stay?
The only thing Intrepid provided was a walk to a castle that wasn’t open for visitors. The rest was on our own and there really wasn’t much happening other than a nice, little museum. We would have preferred more time on Isle of Skye. -We were notified prior to departure that our time on Isle of Skye would be at Kyleakin - not in Portree- and we’d have to arrange our own tour. Phone numbers were provided but no one on the tour had any luck booking anything prior to arriving, calls not returned, no availability, etc. So, 3-4 of our tour group spent 2 FULL hours or more on their phones while we were in Fort Williams trying to come up with some options for us. They pieced together a public bus ride to/from Kyleakin to Portree and a private taxi tour at our own expense! (After paying for it in the cost of our tour.) This should have been done by Intrepid!! Not once were we offered reimbursement. We didn’t have any time in Portree. We’d hoped to have lunch before our taxi tour, but all the restaurants were full. I found a to-go cup of tea and scone at a bike shop, then time in cue to use a bathroom. I’d looked forward to staying in Portree and had many places I had planned to walk to when not on the private van tour we were sold but didn’t get. Also, While staying in Kyleakin, the guest house did not provide a cooked breakfast, just light snacks in our rooms. Breakfast was provided, but we had to walk to/from the restaurant that was a mile each way. This used up time we could have been site seeing. Also, it would use up my knee energy for the days site-seeing. My friend went to breakfast but I skipped the walk to reserve my energy for site-seeing. Oh, and the whiskey tasting…we passed distilleries but we Were given a private lesson on tasting with our tour guide. While he did a fine job, the setting was not the same as a distillery setting. The room was bare, we used wine glasses, we were Supposed to take notes but no hard surfaces to write on, etc. Just wasn’t what any of us were expecting. I found Intrepid’s disregard for the changes and the misleading descriptions as to be very unprofessional. I use tours so that I don’t have to do all of the arranging. Why pay you if I’m going to have to do it myself? Next time I book a tour, I’ll be sure to avoid Intrepid. Many friends have asked about my trip. Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment was the tour. I’ve shared that multiple times now. I’m not the only member of the group that walked away Disappointed. We didn’t want to “blame” the tour guide, I don’t think he was responsible, he was just trying to keep us happy as he could sense how displeased we were. His answers too our questions were not satisfying at all. He seemed to be trying to cover for the company best he could.

Highland Experience Tours

• Excellent - 210 reviews for Scotland tours

Loved it. Jamie our guide was great

Jamie was sensational

Highland Explorer Tours

• Excellent - 384 reviews for Scotland tours

An amazing experience, beautiful landscape and polite and nice guides

It was an amazing tour with extraordinary guides!

Royal Irish Tours

• Excellent - 17 reviews for Scotland tours

The tour guide, Linda, was great as was the coach driver, Mike. The coach was very comfortable and the sites we visited were great. The tour was well organized and well executed. The meals were very good as well. The only thing making this “good” and not “excellent” is that I had to sleep on a pullout couch for three nights of the tour which much surprised me for something billed as a first class tour. So if you plan to go three to a room, be prepared for someone to be on a couch.

this guided tour was very good. we covered many places and did many activities. the guide was very good, always available, attentive and with a good knowledge. I recommend this tour

Indus Travels

• Excellent - 252 reviews for Scotland tours

Overall it was a very nice trip, I think it was well laid out for traveling

This trip was a wonderful experience! The accommodation with one exception was fantastic! The end stops each day were all very nice. I gave my okay rating because we gleaned more information from our evening hosts than we ever received from Tour Radar. Be aware that It will be very important for you to get your own tour books, figure out a route between stops and obtain all your maps as this information was never provided. The final hotel in Edinburgh where you have two nights, B+B Edinburgh does not have any place to park a car so you will have to pay 4.10 pounds per hour to park on the street. Totally unacceptable to book a hotel that does not have room for the car that is provided. This is a very busy schedule to complete in the time provided so if you get the chance to extend the trip by adding another day in Portee on Skye and perhaps finishing the trip in St. Andrews then returning the car to the import then spending some time in Edinburgh on your own at the end of the trip.

• Excellent - 1,888 reviews for Scotland tours

I absolutely loved the Real Britain tour by Trafalgar! Our guide Paul was very friendly and knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour which made our time so enjoyable! Our driver Ian was also very good! I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone who wants a well-rounded taste of England! I was very happy to see a bit of Scotland as well! The only thing I would ask is that Tour Radar would put more specific details about the tour on their site as it appears on Trafalgar’s website. I would have appreciated the list of the names of the hotels, optional experiences, and which particular meals were included etc. Having finished the tour, I know better where I would like to stay longer the next time I’m in England! I got to see so much amazing scenery in the countryside as we travelled and sights at the destinations we stopped. It was truly a wonderful and unforgettable experience!

天氣差，形响旅程，停留時間短，4間酒店地點不錯，可惜街道路燈暗，不方便外出又觀光，利物浦的酒店服務太差，蘇格蘭皇家酒店環境服務一流，

Rabbie's Tours

• Excellent - 672 reviews for Scotland tours

Excellent tour and fantastic guide James. Had quite a bit of fun and the relaxed atmosphere provided a chance for the tour group to get to know one another. Will definately book a Rabbie's tour again!!

Had an amazing time. Shout out to our driver Gail for her knowledge of Scottish history and her contagious love for the country. She went above and beyond for our small group.

• Excellent - 13,420 reviews for Scotland tours

Skara Brae, the Stones of Stenness and the Brough of Birsay were all priorities for me and I was very fortunate to be able to experience all three!

Walk to Skara Brave

Spirit Journeys Worldwide

• Excellent - 12 reviews for Scotland tours

Our tour guide, Ryan, was outstanding! He immediately put us at ease with his friendly and personable manner. His knowledge of the complicated roads and history of the areas we visited gave us the safety we needed to deeply enjoy the beautiful landscapes and fascinating history Scotland has. Thank you for the perfect vacation!

The Spirit of Outlander tour was great! This tour is geared for Outlander fans but you don't have to be a fan to enjoy all the locations visited. Our tour guide, Paul, was fantastic! His knowledge, enthusiasm, and professionalism was 5-star! It was very exciting to visit the filming sites of Outlander and to be walking in the footsteps of the actors! There were a variety of locations to visit daily from castles to churches and gardens. There were also unscheduled photo stops to capture the scenic beauty on the way to visiting various locations. My husband and I waited over 2 years to take this trip (due to Covid) and it was worth the wait! The hotels were top notch and the meals provided were good! A thoroughly exciting trip!

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THE 10 BEST Scotland Walking Tours

Walking tours in scotland.

• Cultural Tours
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• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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1. Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

2. Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

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4. The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

5. Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

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Popular 2024 dates (including the full month of May) are now unavailable for the West Highland Way! Contact us now to book remaining dates.

Hiking Tours on the West Highland Way

West highland way.

• Wild beauty awaits hiking Scotland’s most famous long-distance trail
• Welcoming proud Scottish hospitality and whisky in abundance
• Mysterious rugged Scottish landscapes, ancient glens and heather clad moors
• Savor the dramatic history with famous castles and cozy lodgings
• Hike from striking Glasgow to beautiful Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis
• Pass Loch Lomond, and through Glencoe evoking visions of kilted Highlanders

The West Highland Way is undeniably Scotland's most famous hiking trail, offering a spectacular 96-mile journey through the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Starting near Glasgow, it takes hikers over heather clad moors and past windswept mountains to Fort William. It covers some of the most impressive scenery of western Scotland, with adventurers being treated to mythical lochs, lush glens, and a natural rugged landscape that's captivated generations of travelers over thousands of years.

The West Highland Way was the first tour Macs offered, and since 2003 we've organized self-guided hiking trips for thousands of travelers on the route. The company was founded just a few miles from the start of the trail, and every year members of our team hike it, giving us unique in-depth knowledge and extensive experience on this iconic route.

Our most popular tour is the 8 days West Highland Way , great for fit, first-timers and experienced hikers alike. Or you may choose our Rail & Hike itinerary which takes a romantic train journey and enjoys a ’wee dram’ of whisky in front of a crackling fire at the end of the day.

Download our Macs Guide to the West Highland Way to read about the trail and below you can find the multiple itineraries we offer. Find one you like? Inquire here or on the trip page to learn more and begin booking.

Featured Tours - West Highland Way

West Highland Way - 9 Days & 8 Nights

West Highland Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

West Highland Way - 11 Days & 10 Nights

West Highland Escape

Best of the West Highland Way

West Highland Line: Rail & Hike

Discover west highland way.

The West Highland Way is right out our backdoor and was the first trail we offered when Macs was founded back in 2003. Our team hikes this trail on a yearly basis and is always a favorite!

The WHW offers everything from cozy loch front accommodations to incredible mountain views to mouthwatering traditional Scottish meals – haggis anyone?

Curious to know more? Download our Macs Guide to the West Highland Way and if that's still not enough or you'd like to speak with one of our experts you can inquire here or give us a call at (720) 487-9898.

Mountains of knowledge: Since 2003, we’ve organized thousands of self-guided hiking trips on the stunning West Highland Way. Macs HQ is just a few miles from the start of the trail, so the team have hiked it countless times giving us first-hand knowledge and experience of the route, the local communities and all the hidden gems along the trail.

Accommodation: We’ve selected the best and most suitable cozy hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses along the route. We hand-pick properties of the highest quality and friendliest Scottish service.

Luggage transfers: We carry your main bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply hiking and enjoying the culture, food, and scenery this trip has to offer.

Navigation & 24/7 phone support: Self-guided hiking means having the freedom to explore independently at your own pace, along well-waymarked routes, with our 24/7 first-class support there if you need it.

Tried & tested itineraries: We offer 4 tours of different durations which complete the full trail, so you can choose the itinerary best suited to suit you. We also have a shorter version and a Rail & Hike option.

Being experts on hiking the West Highland Way, it’s unlikely that there's a question that we’ve not been asked before! We like a challenge though...so please contact us if you have one or some.

In the meantime, check our our blog 'Frequently Asked Questions'  which has a wealth of information and questions we've already answered. Top questions include:

Q: When is the best time to walk the West Highland Way?

Q: Should I take my trekking poles?

Q: Should I carry a lot of cash or are there ATMs along the way?

Toughest place name to pronounce - The first stop on the West Highland Way is probably the toughest to pronounce. Milngavie is actually pronounced Mul-guy. Strange eh?! Another one is Drymen (Dri-min). The most ‘-ch’ part of a word is pronounced like you're gently clearing your throat, however a hard -K sound will do, i.e. Lock Lomond, but the gravelly -‘ch’ will make you sound like a local!

Toughest Section - The jury is out on this, but here in the office, we think it’s the section from Rowardennan to Inveroran. The path twists and turns and there are roots, rocks and steps which require a lot of concentration. However, the path leads you along the beautiful ‘bonnie’ banks of Loch Lomond.

As for the rest of the tough questions… call us, our team will be able to assist.

We have teamed up with organizations to support the paths our customers walk on. We're donating $10 for every customer traveling along the West Highland Way in 2023.

These paths are like the lifeblood of our business, and we want to make sure they're here for generations to come.

Learn more about the importance of trail maintenance .

Countless happy hikers have completed The West Highland Way with Macs since we first operated it back in 2003. It remains a firm favorite with us at Macs and is still one of our most popular trails.

For a taste of the experience we have put together this short feature about a father and daughter on their West Highland Way adventure.

In this gorgeous video, Ewan - with the backdrop of the world-famous Loch Lomond and sounds of the bagpipes - discusses some of the finer points of hiking The West Highland Way.

He explains the accommodation, baggage transfers and how hassle free Macs Adventure make your vacation along The West Highland Way.

Dan from the Macs team hiked the full West Highland Way.

In Dan's lovely video, he includes stopping points you shouldn’t miss (the distillery being the first!), what’s in his backpack, the red deer he saw and much more.

Sit back and enjoy this video which gives you a great flavor of what’s in store for you on the West Highland Way.

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Scotland Cultural Walking Adventure

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We love the wide-screen scale of the Scottish Highlands. Great heather-covered moors roll into a broad, blue horizon. Ruined castles stand watch over silvery lochs. There’s a wonderful wildness to it all. But for all of that sweep and solitude, it’s the close-ups of local life that we remember best. You’ll meet the shepherd whose choreographed collies steer a flock with fluid grace. We walk with a naturalist along a windswept North Sea estuary famous for its salmon runs. And we’ll also introduce you to fascinating folks like the cashmere weavers of Elgin…the whisky aficionados at an artisanal distillery…and the groundskeepers who manicure a 600-year-old golf course to within a micron of perfection. Throughout, you’ll spend your nights in lovely country house hotels, and enjoy a wide range of walks from canal towpaths to Edinburgh’s lively High Street. We suspect you’ll join our honorary clan of travelers who count the Scottish Highlands as one of their favorite destinations ever.

• Enjoy an 'Only with Classic Journeys' afternoon as you savor traditional tea before ascending to the ancient Edinburgh Castle with your expert local guide for an up-close tour

• Spend a fascinating morning with a shepherd and his amazing team of collies in the quiet Highlands countryside.

• Cruise across infamous Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and a scenic walk in a Caledonian forest

• Strike out on foot to explore historic Culloden Moor before meeting up with the craftsmen at a cashmere mill 

• Join a naturalist to go Puffin watching on the coastal footpaths along the shores of Isle of May

• Accept an invitation to St. Andrews, the legendary home of golf, for a guided walk on the 600-year-old Old Course

• Visit Falkland Palace, the country residence of Mary, Queen of Scots, before a whisky tasting at an artisanal distillery 

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Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887 .

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

We believe in creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place. So we find the most well-connected local guides who share their relationships and knowledge with us. And with them, we handcraft walking tours in cinematic settings that allow you to see the world on foot and at eye level.

It’s why Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you every time you travel with us.

• Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
• Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
• Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
• Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
• Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
• Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
• Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

Accommodations

Rufflets Country House

One of the oldest and highest quality country house hotels in Scotland, this idyllic turreted mansion house is set in 10 acres of gardens. Rufflets has been in the same family ownership since 1952 and won Scottish Hotel of the Year in 2015.

Loch Ness Country House Hotel

Built in 1710, this country-house property is a haven of tranquility, elegant comfort and excellent food. The striking Georgian building is surrounded by six acres of beautiful gardens, and its main drawing room is a great setting for afternoon tea.

What’s Included

• Award-winning boutique hotels that provide you unlimited access to the people and places, culture and history you came to experience
• All breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 3 dinners
• Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and handle behind-the-scenes logistics
• Admissions to scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary
• Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
• All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits

Invisible check-in.

• When your group arrives, we whisk you and your bags to your room immediately. No waiting – no tipping.

Privileged Access Events

• One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places and activities arranged just for you.

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Scotland Walking Tours 2024/2025

Scotland walking tours take you on an unforgettable journey through the country’s scenic landscapes. From the untamed Scottish Highlands, adorned with rugged peaks, to the historic charm of Edinburgh and the idyllic villages nestled in the Lowlands, walking tours in Scotland are the best way to explore this breathtaking country. Take leisurely walks as you dive into the mystique of ancient castles that punctuate the Highland’s dramatic scenery. Meander along the serene shores of Loch Ness and traverse the picturesque glens that have inspired poets for generations. Or immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and traditions of the Scots as you stroll through captivating towns and savor delectable traditional cuisine. Avid hikers can also choose from our selection of Scotland hiking tours for an exhilarating adventure. Take a look at our best Scotland walking tours below.

• Scotland Travel Guide
• Best Time To Visit Scotland

21 Walking tours with 19 Reviews

• Starts Edinburgh, Scotland
• Ends Glasgow, Scotland

Highland Trail inspired by Outlander

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Walking tours & Natural landmarks sightseeing Walking tours , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='20936'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Coach & Ferry
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,595
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 689
• Total Price from: US$ 3,906
• May 13 10+ seats left
• May 20 Only 10 seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Starts Fort William, Scotland
• Ends Inverness, Scotland

The Great Glen Way

• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Guest House, Hotel & Villa
• Transport Boat, Bus & Taxi
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Apr 24 10+ seats left
• Apr 25 10+ seats left

• Starts Drymen, Scotland
• Ends Fort William, Scotland

West Highland Way

• Accommodation Resort, Guest House, Hotel & Sleeper Train
• Transport Taxi, Sleeper Train & Train
• Jun 01 10+ seats left
• Jun 02 10+ seats left

• Starts Helensburgh, Scotland
• Ends Dunbar, Scotland

John Muir Way

• Activities Walking tours
• Accommodation Hotel & Resort
• Transport Ferry, Bus, Boat, Train & Taxi

• Ends Pitlochry, Scotland

Rob Roy Way

• Accommodation Hotel, Bungalow, Villa, Guest House & Luxury Hotel
• Transport Boat

• Starts Milngavie, Scotland

West Highland Way - 10 Days

• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Walking tours Trekking and Hiking , Walking tours , Explorer & Sightseeing Tours 'data-more-tripid='32012'>+2 more
• Transport Train, Ferry, Taxi & Sleeper Train

• Starts Inverness, Scotland
• Ends Gairlochy, Scotland

Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Trekking and Hiking & Walking tours Trekking and Hiking , Walking tours , Bicycle tours , River cruise & Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife 'data-more-tripid='31079'>+3 more
• Transport Boat, Minibus & Taxi
• Apr 27 Only 10 seats left
• Jul 06 10+ seats left

• Ends Milngavie, Scotland

8 Days / 7 Nights - West Highland Way Walking Adventure

• Trip customizable
• Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking Walking tours , Trekking and Hiking , Adventure & Active and outdoor 'data-more-tripid='38674'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hostel, Hotel, Hut & Camping
• Transport Bus & Taxi
• Age Range 14-99 yrs
• Operated in English, German
• May 24 10+ seats left

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

• Activities Walking tours & Art and architecture
• Transport Bus, Ferry, Minibus & Taxi
• Age Range 16-95 yrs
• May 11 Only 3 seats left
• May 25 Only 8 seats left

• Ends Edinburgh, Scotland

8 Days / 7 Nights - New Year Cairngorms Winter Walking Adventure

• Activities Adventure & Trekking and Hiking Adventure , Trekking and Hiking , Active and outdoor , Walking tours & Beach 'data-more-tripid='38671'>+3 more
• Transport Bus
• Age Range 6-99 yrs

• Starts Melrose, Scotland
• Ends Craster, England

St. Cuthbert's Way

• Accommodation Guest House & Hotel
• Transport Bus, Boat & Taxi

• Ends Lindisfarne, England

St Cuthbert's Way - 8 Days

3 Days / 2 Nights - Ullapool Walking Adventure

• Activities Adventure & Trekking and Hiking Adventure , Trekking and Hiking , Walking tours & Active and outdoor 'data-more-tripid='40205'>+2 more
• Accommodation Hostel
• Transport Boat & Bus
• May 27 Only 7 seats left
• Jun 03 Only 7 seats left

8 Days / 7 Nights - Lewis & Harris Walking Adventure

• Activities Adventure & Trekking and Hiking Adventure , Trekking and Hiking , Active and outdoor , Walking tours & Beach 'data-more-tripid='38670'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Hut
• Transport Ferry, Train & Bus
• Operated in German, English
• Jun 11 Only 4 seats left

Scotland Walking tours Reviews

Scotland walking tours.

Highlights of Scotland Hiking Tour

• Take in the fantastic views of Loch Lomond and nearby hills in Southern Scotland. The path is well charted out and is a fairly easy hike.
• Rejuvenate your senses on a hike to Arthur’s Seat, located in the heart of Edinburgh. The hike offers stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.
• Explore the Isle of Skye, as it is every hiking enthusiast’s paradise. It leads the way to exciting hiking opportunities like the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools.
• Celebrate nature in the UK's largest national park in the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms National Park. It is filled with various trails, rare plants and uncommon species like the Scottish crossbill.
• Climb Stac Pollaidh on the northwest coast of Scotland. With incredible views of Assynt to the north and the Summer Isles to the south, the hike is worth every step.
• Bask in the glory of snow-clad mountains and trails as you make your way up to Liathach in Glen Torridon. While the ascent is steep, the views are rewarding.

Travel Tips for Scotland Hiking Tour

• Dress in layers as Scotland is known for its unpredictable weather conditions. Expect sudden fluctuations and sudden bursts of rain, fog and strong gusts of wind.
• Familiarize yourself with the concept and location of Hiker’s Bothies. These are basic shelters where you can seek refuge in case of bad weather conditions.
• Plan and book hiking tours months in advance, as accommodation options are almost always booked out from May to September.
• Protect yourself from “highland midges” as they can leave small bites that are uncomfortable and itchy. Carry a midge repellent or apply insect repellent balms all over the body.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Fantastic Walking Tours In Scotland

• Destinations
• United Kingdom

There’s no better way to experience the vast and changing landscape of Scotland than by walking through it. The variation of mountains, lochs, moorland, and rugged coastline means you have a choice in what kind of walking you’d like to do. There’s also a choice in difficulty level, meaning you can pick out the walking tour that best suits your fitness and mobility. Walking tours in Scotland are punctuated by whisky tasting, country pubs, luxury hotels, and locally sourced food in distinctive restaurants. Here’s our pick of the best walking tours in Scotland.

1. Wilderness Walking, Arran

Blessed with dramatic mountain peaks, gorgeous beaches, and a wealth of cultural treasures, Arran is often referred to as “Scotland in miniature,” and it isn’t too hard to see why. On this new short break guided walking tour, Wilderness Scotland guides hikers on a variety of routes, teaching them about the island’s rich history and culture while staying in themed accommodations. Highlights include a visit to King’s Cave, where Robert the Bruce is said to have encountered his spider, a remote route over the Saddle with dramatic mountains and tumbling waterfalls, and where there is a chance to see red deer, a trip to Holy Isle with its spiritual heritage dating back to the 6th century, and climbing Goatfell, Arran’s highest point before afternoon tea at Brodick Castle.

The west highlands area of Scotland is the most populated by midges, so to enjoy the beauty without the bother of being bitten, be prepared. The FrogBand is a wristband and travel accessory created by entrepreneur Oliver Preston. This wearable device is a discreet, stylish, and practical container for must-have travel liquids for eager and extreme adventurers. It’s ideal for insect repellent, but also hand sanitizer and sunblock. 

2. The Speyside Way

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s lesser-known trails and winds from the Cairngorms Plateau to the sea, along the banks of the River Spey, Scotland’s whisky river. Hike the Speyside Way long distance walking trail, journeying just over 62 miles from the fishing village of Buckie on the Moray coast to the village of Aviemore at the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. Follow the banks of the River Spey. You’ll pass through open moorland, and pause at some of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries ahead of arrival in the mountains. Stay at welcoming guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, small hotels, and inns along the route.

3. The Tweed And The Scottish Borders

The hills and valleys of the borders have always fired passions, inspiring both bitter battles and great literary works. This hotel-to-hotel walk explores the heart of the now tranquil region, revealing romantic ruins, timeless towns, and its connections to Sir Walter Scott, as 2021 marks the 250th anniversary of the writer’s birth. Guests can begin the holiday in Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, named after Scott’s novels, and there are visits to the writer’s home at Abbotsford House, St. Ronan’s Wells and Melrose Abbey, and the Eildon Hills, mentioned in The Lay of the Minstrel . Throughout the trip, walkers will follow the waters of the Tweed past an orderly patchwork of water-fed valleys, sheep-grazed pastures, and low, rolling hills. The area’s past is revealed at Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited home and one-time refuge of Mary Queen of Scots and the Roman fort of Trimontium. The tours are completely tailored to suit the individual, so they really suit all levels.

Invest in a good pair of walking boots before you go. I can speak from experience when I say, this really does make all the difference. I used to walk in sneakers and regular boots, but with such a diverse terrain in Scotland, it really does make life easier to have the right footwear. I got a pair of Regatta walking boots , and my comfort levels have gone up considerably.

4. Walk Loch Ness

Few places stir the imagination like Loch Ness. This 6-night self-guided walk explores the remote, southern side of Loch Ness where shady forests, tumbling waterfalls, and rolling, heather-clad moors provide a misty backdrop to some of the most spectacular hiking in the Scottish Glens. It’s a timeless landscape and the place to visit for rich Scottish Highlands clan culture and history as well as a peaceful retreat away from it all. The walking is relaxed, with few serious climbs, taking in the serene Caledonian Canal, a section of the Great Glen Way, pretty Beauly Firth, and a wealth of lochs and rivers whose glassy waters mirror the seemingly endless sky. Plant and birdlife are prolific, and there’s a high probability of spotting deer, too. To prepare, see our article on 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Loch Ness.

5. Head To The Scottish Highlands And Feed Reindeer

Join local guide, Peter , from Tours By Locals , on a delightful full-day adventure tour of the Scottish Highlands. From paddling in the glorious lochs to hitting the daring heights of the ski area for panoramic views, this tour is an exciting mix of the Scottish outdoors. The experience is wholly customizable, meaning that the activities can be as adventurous or relaxed as the group would like. All ages will fawn over meeting the reindeer found in the Cairngorms Mountains which are Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer and are friendly to all who meet them. The tour also routes up the Cairngorms slopes. Here, intrepid walkers will have panoramic views of the highlands, stretching as far as the eye can see. There are further options to include a walk around a fascinating outdoor sculpture park trail or head to one of the local museums such as the Highland Folk Museum or Clan McPherson Museum.

New for 2021 is the Walk And Whisky tour. Explore Scotland’s lochs and castles followed by a taste of Speyside Whisky on this brand-new walking tour. Discover Scotland’s natural beauty with a visit to Cairngorms National Park, located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands which boasts beautiful vast landscapes; from wild high mountains to heather moors and magnificent forests. After a morning of walking, you’ll visit Glenlivet Distillery which produces single malt whisky and has been operating since 1824. Next, you’ll head to Balvenie Castle or Drumin Castle to find out about the history of times gone by. And if one whisky tasting wasn’t enough, you can head to the Macallan Distillery to try its premium quality whisky which uses “Golden Promise” barley and matures the whisky in specially cured sherry casks.

6. Beinn Bhuidhe

This one is for those hikers who like things a little quieter, a little remote and off the beaten track, and just a little bit challenging. Beinn Bhuidhe is a munro , or mountain, that offers isolation for its walkers, as it is set apart from the other munros. The walk to the munro is a hike in itself and you’ll find it’s much more peaceful than some of the more popular mountain routes. Walking up the mountain is partly through rough terrain with some areas that can prove unsteady underfoot, so you need to be a confident hiker for this one.

7. Edinburgh Run Tours

If you’re already an experienced walker and you fancy picking up the pace, you can book one of the Edinburgh Run Tours . Enjoy the outdoors with an Explorer Package in conjunction with local hotel Courtyard by Marriott. Ideally located for any adventure in the nearby Pentland Hills, this is a unique package where you can include wild swimming or an amazing run in the Scottish countryside. The package includes overnight accommodations, a spare room for your beloved kit, breakfast, grab-and-go lunch to enjoy when you are on your local adventure, and a 5 GBP laundry voucher to clean your kit if required. Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West is located just outside the city center, and is Scotland’s first “Sporting Hotel.” Playing host to the Scottish National football and rugby teams, guests have access to the Oriam Centre — a Scottish center for sports.

Where To Eat

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head down to Loch Fyne restaurant at Cairndow. After originating as an oyster farm in the loch, Loch Fyne Oysters opened its Loch Fyne Oyster Bar in 1988 at Clachan. The company has expanded into a restaurant chain, and the Oyster Bar continues to be a tourist attraction at Cairndow. Loch Fyne oysters pair beautifully with the natural non-filtered organic wine 204N from Sicilian winemaker Salvatore Tamburello, which can be ordered through Independent Wine , and now this wine is offered in house as the best match to the venue oysters.

Scotland is a fascinating country to visit:

• 7 Unique Small Towns To Visit In Scotland
• 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Loch Ness, Scotland
• 7 Adorable Small Towns To Visit In Scotland

Travel writer, author, and playwright, Samantha loves historic buildings, quirky hotels, woodland walks and literary trails, specializing in food and drink, luxury travel, retreats, spas, and anything arts based. Samantha is based in Yorkshire, the UK, where she lives with her artist partner. Learn more on her website .

• Walking Holidays
• Women’s Tours
• Tour Calendar 2024
• Private Tours
• Green Tourism
• History & Wildlife

Your Natural Choice For Walking Wild in Scotland

We are a Scottish walking tour company specialising in walking holidays and cultural tours throughout the Scottish Highlands & Islands.

Our small group tours offer a personal and authentic experience of Scotland’s wild nature and landscapes. Our qualified local guides love to share their knowledge and passion while also looking after the practical arrangements so that you can relax and enjoy your trip. We champion responsible, sustainable travel, operating a ‘leave no trace’ policy while investing in local businesses and communities.

The company started in 2003 as Walk Wild Loch Lomond, providing walking day trips in the new National Park. Demand soon took the business to other areas of Scotland. We are now proud to offer a wide variety of carefully curated tours while maintaining our ‘small is beautiful’ ethos.

Antje, Walk Wild’s founder and a seasoned traveller, came to explore Scotland in the 1990s and fell in love with the wilderness paradise she discovered on the edge of Europe. She has been guiding in Scotland for over 25 years and is now supported by an enthusiastic team of Scotland-inspired professionals. We all share a love of people, nature and roaming outdoors – and a desire to give Walk Wild Scotland guests the   best possible experience of our very special place.

We also offer guided tours in German. Read about our tours and holidays on our German website .

Small Personal Groups

Our small international groups  of no more than 8 guests are perfectly sized for you to share those amazing experiences and enjoy your holiday in a personal and relaxed ambience. We design versatile and authentic tours for discerning travellers who appreciate the comfort of a well-planned and interesting journey in the company of an expert guide. By staying small we provide the care, flexibility and spontaneity that make your holiday truly special.

Women’s Hiking Tours

We started out as a women only tour company back in the 1990s and we continue with great zest to offer special trips for women which include a more relaxed pace, time for tea, sharing stories and love for adventure. See our women’s tours

Discovery – Wildlife, History, Culture

Taking time to ‘smell the heather’   is integral to our tours . Along the way, you’ll find there is more to landscapes than you might expect: ancient ruined settlements and mysterious stone circles are only some of the traces reflecting ways of life and traditions which are part of Scottish culture.

Sustainable Tourism

As our natural environments become more and more threatened by climate change and other human impacts and local communities fight for existence we are fully committed to running a sustainable tourism business in the most responsible way we can: walking inevitably connects with nature and our knowledgeable guides are keen to convey a deeper understanding of and respect for the environment. We work closely with small local businesses, craftspeople, weavers, artists, musicians, local naturalists and those who provide the most delicious local foods. It is these experiences which provide the authentic spice to our tours. Find out more here …

Walk Wild Scotland is about exploring Scotland’s secret places and wild landscapes , discovering wildlife and nature as much as stories, heritage and history and connecting you with local culture and people. Naturally, we are active and passionate about all aspects relating to protecting our environment.

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Walkabout Scotland escape to the hills

Walkabout Scotland

** UPDATE 9th September 2022 ** WS Adventures Ltd has ceased trading and will no longer be running hiking holidays. If you have a current booking with us please contact [email protected]

Exploring Scotland Join a small group of like-minded travellers and explore Scotland with the experts All our holidays are graded to allow you to choose between a relaxed and leisurely paced walking holiday to a challenging adventure.

Our Tours Select from our easier Walking Holidays and Weekends to our more challenging Hiking Adventures

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The 22 Best Scotland Tours

Explore castles, lakes, national parks and more on these top-rated excursions.

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Edinburgh Castle is a featured stop on many of the best tours in Edinburgh.

From its castles to its history to its fabled food and drink, Scotland has a great variety of attractions to offer visitors. It can be difficult to see the country by yourself, so why not take a guided tour? Should you be staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow , you can make the most of your time with a half-day history or food tour of those cities. If you want to escape the bustle for a bit, sign up for a trip to the world-famous Scottish Highlands , which can be tricky to reach on your own without a car. Using both expert opinion and traveler sentiment, U.S. News determined that these are the best tours of Scotland. No matter which one you choose, or where you decide to go, each trip features a local guide eager to share their knowledge and love of Scotland.

SANDEMANs New Europe – Edinburgh Dark Side Tour

History buffs and thrill-seekers alike will enjoy this two-hour walking tour, which covers some of Edinburgh's most famous murders and mysteries. During the stroll, you'll hear tales about cannibals and vampires, body snatchers and witch burnings. You'll also visit Calton Cemetery and the Canongate Kirkyard, where caged-in graves still exist. Reviewers rave about the tour guides, who they describe as humorous, engaging and adept at storytelling. Travelers assure that though the subject matter is grim, the tour is not too scary. Tours are generally available each evening at 6:30 p.m.; they depart from High Street and finish on the Royal Mile . Tickets start at 16 pounds (around $20) for adults and 5 pounds (about $6) for kids ages 5 to 13; children 4 and younger can join for free. SANDEMANs New Europe also operates free walking tours that offers an overview Edinburgh's top attractions , as well as a "Harry Potter" tour, among others.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

City Sightseeing – Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing offers hop-on, hop-off bus tours of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Edinburgh route features 12 stops, including the Grassmarket, the National Museum of Scotland , John Knox House and the Palace of Holyroodhouse . Glasgow's route offers 21 stops, including the Glasgow Cathedral , the Riverside Museum and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum . Both tours permit passengers to explore the various destinations at their own pace and hop on a later bus to proceed to the next stop. Travelers find the tours convenient for taking in the popular spots in both cities. If you take the full loop without hopping off, the Edinburgh tour lasts approximately one hour; the buses run approximately every 30 minutes. The Glasgow tour is slightly longer at roughly 90 minutes; buses run every 15 minutes during summer, every 30 minutes in the spring and every 60 minutes in the fall and winter. Both tours provide recorded audio commentary in multiple languages. The Glasgow tour deploys live guides on select tours from March through October. Single-day tickets for both tours cost approximately $20. Two-day hop-on hop-off tickets are also available.

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Cruise Loch Ness – Daily Cruise

Cruise Loch Ness' Daily Cruise offers views of sights such as Loch Ness' sole island, Cherry Island, and Fort Augustus Abbey. Guides provide information regarding the environs and area history, and trip-takers typically find them friendly and entertaining. But the coastal scenery is the real reason for taking the boat ride and travelers find the natural surroundings strikingly beautiful. The 50-minute excursions depart from Fort Augustus, which is located on the southern end of Loch Ness. Tours are generally offered daily at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., but additional times may be offered depending on the month. Tickets cost around 18 pounds (about $24) for adults and 11 pounds (roughly $14) for children 4 to 15. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on board. Cruise Loch Ness also offers an hourlong evening cruise in the spring and summer.

Little Fish Tours – Old Town Tour

Little Fish Tours' walking excursion offers an overview of the city's architecture, history and folklore. Specific sights and topics may vary according to tour the guide's expertise, but usually include stops at the Mercat Cross, St. Giles' Cathedral , the Grassmarket, the National Museum of Scotland, the Greyfriars Bobby statue and the exterior of Edinburgh Castle . Guides are considered to be enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable about the city and its history. Tours, which depart from High Street, are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and last two hours. Tickets start at 14 pounds (about $18) for adults and 9 pounds (around $12) for kids and teens ages 5 to 15; children 4 and younger can join for free. The company also operates tours of Edinburgh Castle and a whisky tasting.

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Visit the picturesque town of Portree during a visit to the Isle of Skye with WOW Scotland.

WOW Scotland – The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour

This excursion from WOW Scotland departs Inverness for a daylong bus trip to the Isle of Skye . During the approximately 12-hour tour, you'll see everything from quaint towns to natural wonders, such as the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools, to castles like Eilean Donan . The views invariably win enthusiastic plaudits for their beauty, while guides earn high praise for their energy and storytelling abilities. Reviewers describe it as a great trip overall. Tours, which start at 8:15 a.m., are typically offered daily, though availability may vary by season. Tickets start at 84 pounds (around $104) per person. Note that the tour is not recommended for children 5 and younger. Want to see more of the Isle of Skye? Check out WOW Scotland's multiday tours.

Tennent's Brewery Tour

When it comes to adult beverages, Scotland may be best known for its whisky, but don't overlook its beer. Tennent's Brewery Tour takes visitors inside Tennent's Wellpark Brewery, one of the best-known beer-making facilities in Glasgow. Tours start at the Tennent's Story Heritage Centre, which chronicles the centurieslong history of Tennent's Lager (and which can be visited even if you don't take the full tour). The guided tour shows how the beer is made today. Tours end, appropriately enough, with a pint of beer. Brewery visitors typically enjoy learning the local lager's history and find the guides rather adept. The 90-minute tours are offered several times a day Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets start at 12.50 pounds (about $16) per adult ages 18 and older; kids and teens ages 12 to 17 can tour for 9 pounds (about $11). Tennent's also conducts a Tennent's Heritage Walking Tour of Glasgow, among others.

Heart of Scotland Tours – Loch Ness & The Highlands

Marvel at the photogenic scenery of Loch Ness and the Highlands on this 12-hour bus tour, which is capped at 12 participants and departs from Edinburgh. Highlights along the way include Cairngorms National Park , Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis and Glencoe . Though the majority of the tour takes place on the bus, you'll enjoy several short walks at various stops and have the option to hop aboard a boat for a cruise on Loch Ness. Tourgoers describe the scenery as breathtaking and the guides as friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. Tickets start at 50 pounds (around $62) for adults and 47 pounds (about $59) seniors 60 years and older and children and teens ages 5 to 17. Heart of Scotland Tours operates a variety of daylong and multiday excursions across the United Kingdom to top sights like Alnwick Castle, St. Andrews and Inverness, among others.

The Ghost Bus Tours – Edinburgh

Hop aboard this black double-decker bus to hear spooky stories about Edinburgh. Actors serve as guides on this 75-minute ride through the city, offering commentary as you drive by top sights like Edinburgh Castle, the Greenmarket, the Royal Mile, New Town and more. Tour-takers enjoy their trips and typically find the haunted tales an equal blend of creepy and funny. Tours depart from the Lawnmarket every day at 6 and 7:30 p.m. with additional 9 p.m. rides on Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost approximately 18 pounds (approximately $22) per adult, with discounts for seniors, students and children. The Ghost Bus also haunts the streets of London and York, England.

The Wee Food Tour

For a taste of distinctive Scottish fare provided by local purveyors, take the Wee Food Tour in Glasgow. Along the way, you could sample cheese, chips and haggis, visiting a total of six different shops and restaurants. Food enthusiasts praise the guides as passionate and knowledgeable about the city and its cuisine. The tour departs Wednesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. from the entrance to the Buchanan Street underground station. It lasts approximately four hours, with about 1 1/2 miles of walking. Tour tickets cost approximately $110 and include food as well as water and soda; alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately where available. As an added bonus, the Wee Food Tour donates 5 pounds (around $6.50) from each tour to a local food bank. The company also offers private tours.

Courtesy of Timberbush Tours

Take a visit to Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery with Timberbush Tours on its Ultimate Whisky Experience.

Timberbush Tours – Ultimate Whisky Experience

Timberbush Tours' Ultimate Whisky Experience spotlights Scotland's best-known adult beverage. First, the tour departs from Edinburgh to Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, where you'll participate in a two-hour whisky and chocolate tour. You'll stop in the village of Aberfeldy for lunch then travel to Glenturret Distillery – Scotland's oldest working distillery – for your second whisky tasting. After a stop at Doune Castle, the tour returns to Edinburgh. Along the way, drivers serve as guides and offer commentary, which tour-takers tend to enjoy. Tickets for the tour start at 45 pounds (roughly $56) for adults and 43 pounds (approximately $53) for children, seniors and students. Fees are higher in peak summer months. Note: Whisky tastings and tours at both distilleries as well as lunch are not included in the ticket price. Tours, which last about 10 hours, occur Tuesday and Saturday. Timberbush Tours also conducts other sightseeing excursions from Edinburgh, as well as those that depart from Glasgow and Iverness.

Loch Ness by Jacobite – Temptation Tour

In addition to a 30-minute lake cruise, this tour includes visits to Urquhart Castle. Audio guides on board the boat offer tales about the region and its legendary Loch Ness monster. Visitors describe the castle as particularly impressive and the tour price as quite reasonable. Tours depart from the Inverness city center, where you'll board a coach bus to the lake. Tickets cost approximately 37 pounds (about $46) for adults and 27.50 pounds (around $34) for children, which covers transportation, entrance to the castle and the boat ride. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase separately. Overall, the excursion, which starts at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. daily, lasts three hours. If you're only interested in cruising the lake, the company also offers tours that skip the castle visit.

Walking Tours in Glasgow – City Center Tour

Participants on this tour regularly call guides enthusiastic and informative, making the experience fun for travelers of all ages. The approximately 90-minute excursion takes visitors to some of the most celebrated spots in Glasgow, including George Square (where tours commence), the Necropolis , Glasgow Green and the River Clyde. During the stroll, guides share background regarding the city's history and key figures, including its patron saint, St. Mungo. Tours operate daily at 10:30 a.m. According to reviewers, tickets are a bargain; they cost about 12 pounds (around $15) per person. Children 11 and younger can tag along for free. Walking Tours in Glasgow also offers tours with various themes, such as street art and whisky.

HAGGiS Adventures – Lochs, Castles and The Kelpies

The first stop on this distinctively Scottish tour is Balmaha. This village sits on the shores of Loch Lomond and grants tourgoers exceptional views of Ben Lomond – one of Scotland's most popular mountains ( munros). In the afternoon, the tour heads to Stirling Castle, a former royal residence and fortress. The final stop is The Kelpies, which are a pair of nearly 1,000-foot-tall metal horse heads inspired by folkloric creatures of the same name. HAGGiS Adventures tour guides, who provide commentary throughout the day, are regarded as both professional and informative. Outings run on Monday, Wednesday Friday and Sunday during peak season (June through August) and on Friday and Sunday throughout the rest of the year. They depart Edinburgh around 8:45 a.m. and return to the city approximately nine hours later. Prices vary by time of year, but start at $75 per adult. The fee does not include entrance to the castle. HAGGiS Adventures also operates other daylong and multiday excursions, including an "Outlander" tour.

Courtesy of Eat Walk Edinburgh

During Eat Walk Edinburgh's Old and New Town Tour, you'll taste not only Edinburgh's great food, but also its spirits.

Eat Walk Edinburgh – Old and New Town Tour

If you're craving haggis, wild boar sausage, black pudding, smoked salmon and Scottish cheeses, this approximately three-hour tour is for you. Eat Walk Edinburgh's Old and New Town food tour takes travelers through the city to sample all these delicacies along with tastings of whisky, gin, wine and beer. Both the food samples and the guides routinely win high marks from patrons. The tours are offered at 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and also at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tours run at noon on Sunday. Tickets cost approximately 69 pounds (or around $85) and include all food and drink. Groups are limited to eight people, who can opt to use headphones to hear their guide as they walk at their own pace between stops, which is generally deemed a nice bonus feature. Eat Walk Edinburgh also operates a food tour that explores the lower half of the Royal Mile, known as the Canongate.

Rabbie's – Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands – 1 Day Tour from Glasgow

This daylong tour celebrates Scotland's natural beauty, with visits to mountains, valleys, moors, woods and lakes. During the nearly 12-hour trip, you'll see Loch Lomond, the Glencoe Valley, Urquhart Castle, Ben Nevis and more. Drivers of the 16-seat vehicles double as guides, and they are generally deemed quite knowledgeable and amusing. Excursions Depart Glasgow around 8 a.m. daily. Prices, which vary by season, start at 57 pounds (about $71) for adults and 54 pounds (around $67) for kids and teens ages 5 to 15. Children younger than 5 are not allowed to tour. Rabbie's also offers tours of the Scottish countryside departing from Glasgow, as well as trips that depart from Edinburgh.

The Potter Trail

The Potter Trail shows curious readers the locations said to have inspired the "Harry Potter" books. During the approximately 1.25-mile walk, you'll explore the real-life Diagon Alley, see the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote the first novel in the series and more. Fans of the books find the guides exceptionally knowledge about the iconic series and its author. Even those not familiar with the "Harry Potter" tales find this tour an informative introduction to Edinburgh. The family-friendly tours are available twice daily at noon and 4 p.m. from April through August and at noon only from September through March. Excursions typically last up to 90 minutes. There's no charge for this walk, though the guides happily accept contributions. The Potter Trail also offers private, fee-based tours for groups.

The Hairy Coo – 1-Day Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Ben Nevis Tour

According to reviewers, this tour offers a convenient and enjoyable way to see some of Scotland's most famous natural wonders in a short amount of time. On the daylong bus tour, you'll visit Glencoe, Loch Ness and plenty of villages and towns tucked into the Highlands, such as Fort Augustus and Callander. Along the way, you'll pass iconic sights like Ben Nevis and Stirling Castle. Tours are offered daily and depart from the Lawnmarket at 8 a.m.; they return to Edinburgh around 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at 48 pounds (about $60) per adult ages 18 and older and 41 pounds (around $51) for kids and teens between the ages of 7 and 17. Note that tour prices do not cover the cost of any food or drink or the optional boat cruise on Loch Ness. If you're up for more exploration outside of Scotland, consider the company's daylong tour to Alnwick Castle and the Northumberland Coast.

Once Upon a Whisky Tours – Glasgow's West End Whisky Tour

Whisky lovers will enjoy this tour of Glasgow's West End, which stops at four bars for samples of four award-winning single malt Scotch whiskies. Along the way, guides impart little-known facts and surprising trivia about the renowned beverage. Tour-takers report learning a great deal about whisky, how it's made and how best to enjoy it. Tours are available Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It costs around 60 pounds (or about $74) to take the tour (nondrinkers will only be charged 30 pounds, or about $37); participants must be at least 18 years old. The price includes the whisky tastings but not food, which can be purchased separately at most of the establishments visited. Once Upon a Whisky also runs a whisky tour in Edinburgh.

Courtesy of Mercat Tours

Head beneath Edinburgh's streets with a trip from Mercat Tours.

Mercat Tours – Historic Underground

Mercat Tours' Historic Underground tours take patrons beneath Edinburgh and provide exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults, a system of caverns constructed in the 18th century. Guides explain how and why the vaults were built and how they came to be used. Reviewers say this walking tour offers an unusual perspective on the city and find the guides well-versed in Edinburgh's history. Tours, which last about 75 minutes, start at the Mercat Cross on High Street and conclude with a visit to the company's Discovery Room, which houses various artifacts as well as a model of the vaults. Tours depart three times daily at noon and 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets start at 20 pounds (about $25) for adults and 15 pounds (around $19) for children 5 to 15. Children younger than 5 may not tour. Mercat Tours also leads a number of other walks related to Edinburgh's history and lore, in addition to private tours.

Scotland's Wild Tours – Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Tour

Admire some of the country's most spectacular natural wonders on this eight-hour bus journey, which explores Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park – Scotland's first national park. Beyond viewing the mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, flora and fauna from the seat of the bus, travelers also enjoy several hikes. Guides provide information regarding the geography, history and culture of the area, and they are generally regarded as both professional and personable by fellow travelers. The tour, which is limited to eight participants, is generally offered at 9 a.m. daily from April through October. Tickets cost approximately 59 pounds (about $73) for adults and 54 pounds (around $67) for children ages 12 to 15. Keep in mind, the minimum age to take the tour is 12. The tour departs from the village of Balloch, which sits about 20 miles northwest of Glasgow. The company also operates tours of Glencoe and the Highlands in addition to private tours.

Glasgow Gander Walking Tours

This walking tour of Glasgow leads participants to top destinations, such as Buchanan Street, the Glasgow City Chambers , Trades Hall, Merchant City, the Glasgow Cathedral and more. Travelers laud guides as highly entertaining and knowledgeable about the city's architecture, culture and history. Several reviewers also say this tour is a fantastic value. Tours depart from Royal Exchange Square near the Gallery of Modern Art (where the Duke of Wellington statue typically dons a traffic cone on its head) Wednesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The approximately 1 1/2-mile jaunt usually last about three hours. Tickets cost 12 pounds (or about $15) per person.

City Explorers – Free Ghost Tour

Is Edinburgh haunted? Here's one way to find out. City Explorers' Free Ghost Tour explores the city's more fiendish history, as guides recount tales of infamous murders, witch trials, public executions and the like while traipsing through Old Town's cemeteries and dark alleyways. While some tour-takers say the expedition could be spookier, most agree that it is great fun and that the guides' storytelling is highly entertaining. The 90-minute walking tour takes place each evening at 7 p.m., starting outside the Copper Still bar. While there's no charge to take this tour, guides appreciate tips at the conclusion. City Explorers also offers a free tour of Edinburgh and a free "Harry Potter" tour, among others.

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The Best Walking Tours in Edinburgh

I never get tired of visiting Edinburgh . I love the enchanting cobblestone streets, the world-class whisky bars, the plethora of free museums, and arty vibe of the city (it’s the inspiration for many, many writers).

It has been Scotland’s capital since the 15th century and has a history that stretches back millennia (humans have been in the area since 8500 BCE). There’s an epic medieval castle, an ancient volcano, the historic Old Town, and the New Town (both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites).

One of the best ways to soak it all up is by taking a walking tour. While ghost tours are some of the most popular here (Edinburgh is supposedly one of the most haunted cities in the world), there are many other tours to experience, from bike tours to food tours to pub crawls.

Here’s my list of the best walking tours in Edinburgh to help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your stay!

Best Overall Tour

Mercat Tours

This family-owned company specializes in a variety of tours of the vaults under the city (a labyrinth of tunnels that were first used as storage and workshop space for businesses in the early 17th century), and it’s the only company to offer vault tours during the day . Adult-only tours include the infamous Canongate graveyard and there are even vault tours designed for kids .

Tours start at 20 GBP.

Best Free Tour

City Explorers

City Explorers runs four different free walking tours daily. Start with the classic Edinburgh Free Tour, on which you’ll see and learn about the main sights, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St Giles’ Cathedral. There’s also a free ghost tour, a free Harry Potter tour, and a free New Town tour as well. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!

  While those two are my top recommendations for tours in Edinburgh, here are a few more options to help you make the most of your time here:

1. Secret Food Tours

Food is an important part of every culture. Scotland has all manner of interesting culinary delights, and the best way to learn more about them (while sampling a bunch) is by taking a food tour. Secret Food Tours offers the best one in Edinburgh. On their three-hour classic tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town , you’ll try delicacies like haggis, creamy Scottish cheese, neeps, and tatties (and learn what those even are), as well as enjoy traditional Scottish tea.

If you want to try more local spirits, you can take the Secret Whisky, Gin, & Beyond tour , which includes seven tastings of locally brewed and distilled liquors.

Prices start at 69 EUR.

2. A Wee Pedal Bike Tour

To cover more ground and get out of town a bit, take a bike tour. A Wee Pedal has several different offerings, so you can see more of Edinburgh and its surrounding countryside on two wheels. The most popular tour is the 20-mile loop tour , which circumnavigates the entire city. There’s also a 12-mile version that goes out to the rugged coastline for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure.

While rides are taken at a meandering, comfortable pace, you can also rent an e-bike for an extra 15 GBP if you’re not up for the challenge. You can also book special private tours, including one that ends at a brewery (tasting included), and a mountain bike tour.

Prices start at 65 GBP.

3. City of the Dead Tours

If you’re looking to get genuinely creeped out, take a tour with City of the Dead. They offer several tours that go through the underground vaults . City of the Dead is also the only tour company with access to the ominously named Black Mausoleum and Covenanter’s Prison , some of the most haunted places in the world. These spots are favorites of the Mackenzie Poltergeist, considered one of the world’s best-documented supernatural entities, with hundreds of supposed encounters. It’s one of my favorite tours in the city!

Prices start at 19 GBP.

4. Mountebank Tours

One of TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to Do in the UK, the Mountebank Comedy Walk, run by Daniel Downie, an award-winning stand-up comedian, is undoubtedly the most hilarious way to see Auld Reekie (an old nickname for the city). On this tour you’ll laugh and learn not only about Edinburgh but all things Scottish, from culture to history to some famous (and infamous) people. And if you’re lucky, Daniel’s adorable dog Bonnie Prince might even join you.

Prices start at 22 GBP.

5. See Your City

One of the biggest walking tour companies in the UK, See Your City offers several fun tours in Edinburgh. Their best (and most popular) is the Harry Potter walking tour , on which you’ll visit the places that inspired JK Rowling as she penned her famous series (and the café where she did so). You’ll even get sorted into your Hogwarts house and get to test your book and movie knowledge in a quiz to earn points. It’s a super fun tour and a must for Harry Potter fans.

Other unique See Your City tours in Edinburgh include a Cheese Crawl and a True Crime walking tour .

Prices start at 16 GBP.

Edinburgh is a fascinating place. It’s bursting with history and there are tons of walking tours on offer, allowing you to deepen your experience and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. Pick one (or several) from the list above and you won’t go wrong!

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Book Your Trip to Edinburgh: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Edinburgh? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Edinburgh for even more planning tips!

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The Best Tours of Scotland - Luxury & Scenic Tours

The best Scotland touring holidays are all about taking things at your own pace. We can't tell you what the best way to tour Scotland is because there are so many amazing choices! It's a good idea to explore some of the different types of Scotland tours that are out there, then settle in for a grand adventure.

On a tour of Scotland you’ll meet like-minded people, find hidden gems, and visit those Scottish places you’ve always wanted to see. Longer tours are a great way to travel sustainably, rather than experiencing the country at a glance, and scenic Scotland tours are a great way to get outdoors and explore our stunning landscapes.

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6 of the Best Walking & Hiking Tours in Scotland

Discover beautiful, rugged scotland on an affordable walking holiday.

Scotland is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes and one of the best ways to soak in this landscape is on a rewarding walking holiday. Craggy mountains, ancient forests and brilliant green glens are just some of the impressive features in this remote environment. Add to this the lovable charm of the locals and fascinating history around every bend, and Scotland is a must for all keen hikers.

Whether you want to explore the famous tracks of the Great Glen Way or West Highland Way; hike the length of Scotland on the John Muir Way; or  follow in the footsteps of the legendary Rob Roy; there is a fantastic walking tour in Scotland for you.

These 6 Scottish walking trips allow you to explore Scotland on an affordable self guided holiday.

Rob Roy Way Tour

Scottish Rob Roy MacGregor was a notorious outlaw and a folk hero, after escaping capture several times. The 80-mile Rob Roy Way goes through classic Highland scenery and areas that were his old haunts. It begins Drymen, whose Clachan Inn is the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland and would have been known by Rob Roy as it was run by his sister!

Hike the Rob Roy Way on UTracks' 9 day self guided walking tour.

West Highland Way Walking Tour

From the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis, this famous footpath connects Britain’s largest lake with its highest mountain. The route is a step back into history: many stages follow military roads that date back to the 1700s and used to link the Highlands to the Lowlands, as well as hotels that originated from droving inns that operated for centuries.

The West Highland Way is an 8 day self guided walk of moderate grading. If you'd like more time to smell the roses along the way, take a look at the 10 day version of the same route .

John Muir Way Walking Tour

Known for encouraging the creation of the Yosemite National Park, John Muir was born in Dunbar and as a child developed a deep love of the natural world around him. Forming a Scottish coast-to-coast route, the John Muir Way links Dunbar, on the southeast coast, with Scotland’s first national park (Loch Lomond & the Trossachs) and the seaside town of Helensburgh in the west. 

The John Muir Way can be walked in 12 days on a self guided tour.

The Pennine Way Tour

A challenging mountain journey across the rugged backbone of England, The Pennine Way was the first official Long Distance Footpath to ever be created in the country. Crossing some of the finest upland landscapes in England, it is steeped in the region’s history: it was the product of the post-WWI mass trespass movement of the 1930s, which saw working class walkers from industrial towns around the Pennines defying local landowners and walking across their land. Although many British walks are often described as ‘classic’, the 268-mile trail from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders will always be considered as ‘the big one’, as it is a walk that tests out the endurance and navigational abilities of hikers up to the challenge. 

The Pennine Way is one of the World's Great Walks and can be completed on a 20 day self guided walking tour. If you'd like a shorter option, there's the Pennine Way Northern Section Tour that takes 11 days.

The Great Glen Way Walk

Head ‘north of the border’ and find your favourite loch along the Great Glen Way. From Fort William to Inverness – both served by the new comfortable Caledonian Sleeper trains – it follows mostly canal and loch-side footpaths, passing en route by the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. 

The Great Glen Way walk is an 8 day self guided journey.

Scotland Coast to Coast Walk & Barge Tour

Starting at Fort William and concluding at Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, the Great Glen Way ranks among the most exhilarating long distance trails in the UK. Based on board a comfortable barge, the Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge tour is a guided hike-and-sail itinerary that offers the opportunity to walk from one coast of Scotland to the other over a week. The barge stops are planned to suit the walking stages, breaking the 75-mile trail into manageable day walks, ranging between 10 and 15 miles. The relaxed route passes by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, while scattered along the shores of Loch Ness, the centuries-old forts and castles remain a silent witness to the country’s turbulent past.

>> Browse our full range of walking tours in Scotland.  

>>  View all of UTracks' walking tours in Europe.

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With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

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11 Best Edinburgh Walking Tours Worth Your Money (ranked!)

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There’s so much to see in the heart of Edinburgh…where do you even begin?

As a city so rich with history and attractions, it’s easy to miss some of the most impressive details of Edinburgh.

One great way to ensure that you don’t miss out is to take a walking tour of Edinburgh!

These walking tours of Edinburgh will give you an up-close look at the city’s breathtaking architecture, and enlighten you on its history!

⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?

The best Edinburgh walking tour is this Edinburgh darkside tour with mysteries and legends!

Click here to check prices and availability.

Whether you’re here for lighthearted fun, gruesome details, or a more classical history lesson, these tours will have you coming away with a breadth of knowledge you’ll be eager to pass on to your friends and family!

Not that interested in history?

Get to know Edinburgh from another perspective: dance your way through the city, instead!

With all the unique walking tours of Edinburgh to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect option to enhance your trip to Dùn Èideann , including Harry Potter walking tours Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town walking tours, and the best Edinburgh walking tours.

Which of these highly-rated tours is the best one for you?

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Easy Guide: Best Edinburgh Walking Tours

1. edinburgh darkside walking tour: mysteries, murder and legends.

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 2,800+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

• Visit and learn the gruesome history of Calton Hill
• Visit one of the city’s famous cemeteries
• Learn the eerie side of the history of Edinburgh
• Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city from Calton Hill

Embark on an eerie evening tour of Edinburgh’s dark side with this popular walking tour !

Tales of murder, monsters, witch trials, cannibals, and other spooky subjects will send a shiver down your spine as you follow your guide around Old Town.

You’ll climb to the top of Calton Hill , taking in the sights as your guide tells of the gruesome witch trials that were once held there. 

Snap a few photos of the evening skyline, then head back down and explore one of Edinburgh’s most famous cemeteries on this walking tour Edinburgh.

You’ll visit either the Canongate Kirkyard cemetery (dating all the way back to the 17th century!) or the Old Calton Burial Ground (the final resting place of famed philosopher David Hume).

Creep through the graveyard as your guide shares haunting tales of murder, body-snatching, and even Hume’s rumoured deal with the Devil himself!

The tour concludes outside a local pub , where you might want to head inside for a drink to soothe your nerves after this haunting tour!

2. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour w/ Fast-Track Entry

⭐️  RATING:  4.8 out of 5 Stars, 2,100+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Entry to Edinburgh Castle
• Skip the line to get into the castle
• Entry to castle dungeons
• Knowledgeable tour guide on this walking tour of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is a sight to behold, but sometimes, just looking isn’t enough!

If you want to go beyond snapping a few photos, why not take a guided walking tour of the castle and go a little deeper?

This tour includes an entry to the castle , and even allows you to skip the line – no more waiting with all the other tourists!

You’ll meet your guide outside the nearby Caffé Nero, then enjoy a short walk down the Royal Mile toward the castle .

Once inside, you’ll learn all about the iconic Edinburgh attraction, with your knowledgeable guide covering 3,000 years of its history.

Beyond the main buildings, you’ll also get to see the castle dungeons and military prison, learn the dark tale of the Black Dinner, visit St Margaret’s Chapel, and more!

After the tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the castle museums at your own pace.

3. Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 3,200+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Entry to ancient underground vaults
• Entry to a secret witchcraft temple
• Information about 18th-century city life
• Many unique photo opportunities

Discover an often missed part of Edinburgh on this eerie walking tour !

Follow a knowledgeable tour guide through the secret passageways beneath the city, where you’ll learn the history of these fascinating vaults and the people who found shelter within them.

You’ll be intrigued (and maybe a bit creeped out!) by the dark halls that await you underground – not to mention the ancient temple that was once used by Scotland’s devoted witches!

This tour isn’t for the faint of heart.

The bravest in your travel party will have the chance to step inside an old (possibly haunted!) stone circle – if they dare!

You’ll be encouraged to take plenty of photographs during the tour, which you’ll be anxious to show off to friends as proof of a truly unique experience.

Please note that this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and requires the ability to navigate tall steps and a spiral staircase.

4. Walking Tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town – History and Tales

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 900+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Passionate local guide
• Unique route through Old Town
• Convenient location near public transportation
• Easy-to-find meeting point

Follow a passionate guide around Edinburgh’s Old Town on this fun walking tour!

Leave the map behind and instead let a local lead you around these UNESCO-listed sites.

You’ll meet your guide on High Street, right across from the iconic St Giles’ Cathedral.

From there, you’ll embark on a 2-hour walking tour down the beautifully cobbled streets, learning the history of the area as you go.

You’ll want to have your camera out and ready to save all the stunning sights you’ll encounter along the way!

You’ll see (and learn about) the cathedral, the exterior of Edinburgh Castle , the Mercat Cross, the historic George Heriot’s School , Greyfriars Kirk and graveyard, and more!

Looking for kid-friendly tours of Edinburgh?

This tour is stroller accessible, and young ones will enjoy taking in the sights while the adults soak up the fascinating history.

5. Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh : best Edinburgh walking tours

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 800+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Comfortably small group (12 max)
• Learn about the famed writers and inventors of Edinburgh
• Plenty of time to stop for photos
• Free for children 12 and under

Poetry and history enthusiasts alike will enjoy this educational yet leisurely 3-hour tour of the Royal Mile!

You’ll meet your guide outside of the famed auditorium, Usher Hall – the perfect place to begin a tour about the history of the arts in Edinburgh!

During the tour, your guide will tell you all about the famous writers, poets, and inventors who have called Edinburgh home over the years.

Learn about 18th century poet and lyricist Robert Burns, who is now known as the national poet of Scotland.

Notable stops include The Writers’ Museum, Milne’s Court, Waverley Station , and much more!

Torn between an arts-focused tour and a more general tour that will take you by the main attractions of Edinburgh?

You’ll be happy to know that this tour also passes by Edinburgh Castle and St Giles’ Cathedral, so you’ll get to learn the history of these marvelous sites, too!

6. The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 740+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Guided tour of Old Town Edinburgh
• Authentic Scottish guide (who wears a kilt!)
• History lessons packed with comedy
• Lots of laughs!

With all the stress that can come with travelling, you’ll be relieved to unwind and have a laugh on this fun-filled comedy tour !

Take a lighthearted walk around Old Town Edinburgh with your hilarious (and very Scottish) guide – they’ll even wear a kilt!

You’ll meet your guide outside of the Monkey Barrel Comedy club , then embark on a whimsical 2-hour (wheelchair and stroller-accessible!) journey.

Your guide isn’t just a professional stand-up comedian; they also have a remarkable breadth of knowledge about the history of Edinburgh.

On this tour, you’ll be both educated and entertained as your guide expertly balances historic fact and laugh-out-loud comedy.

You’ll see the exterior of St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Kirkyard, The Writers’ Museum, and more iconic sites as you walk the Royal Mile with your witty guide.

Please note that this tour is age restricted at 16 years and up!

7. Edinburgh – Dark History

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 280+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• History-focused tour of the Royal Mile
• Passionate, knowledgeable guide
• Excellent tour to take in the evening
• Wheelchair & stroller accessible

Not sure what to do in Edinburgh when the sun goes down?

Take this educational tour and learn the dark history of the city on this guided walking tour in Edinburgh!

Follow your guide on a harrowing journey into Edinburgh’s past and discover why it’s known as “ The Jekyll & Hyde City ”.

You’ll start your tour outside of St Giles’ Cathedral in West Parliament Square, then walk down the Royal Mile and learn all about the grisly murders, public executions, witch trials, plagues, and other haunting elements of the city’s history.

Don’t worry, your guides won’t pull any jumpscares; you’ll find the gruesome history lesson unsettling enough!

Besides the cathedral, you can also expect to encounter the site of the old Tolbooth Prison, the iconic Mercat Cross , and other historic sites that are full of disturbing details.

You’ll end your tour at the Canongate Kirkyard, which dates all the way back to the late 17th century!

8. Silent Disco Adventure Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 260+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Radio headsets
• Fun and familiar music playlist
• Large group (60 maximum)
• Unique way of seeing the city!

Put on your comfiest shoes and dance your way through Edinburgh on this eccentric “walking” tour !

Your tour starts and ends outside of The Piper’s Rest, an exceptionally rated restaurant along the Royal Mile.

(In August, the tour starts and ends at Uplands Roast, a charming coffee shop at the University of Edinburgh.)

Put on your radio headset (provided at the start of the tour) and groove your way down the Royal Mile with a large group of fun-loving travelers!

Dance to familiar and upbeat songs as you pass by iconic Edinburgh attractions, including St Giles’ Cathedral, the Scottish National Gallery, and the idyllic Princes Street Gardens.

Anxious about dancing in public?

With up to 60 people in your tour group, you’ll be in good company and won’t have to worry about being the only one dancing.

In fact, passersby will likely be envious of the great time you’re all having!

9. Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 160+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Visit three historic execution sites
• Visit the old site of the Tolbooth Prison
• Private tour – no strangers!
• Knowledgeable local guide

There are many great public tours in Edinburgh, but what if you’re not excited by the idea of following a crowd of strangers?

This private walking tour of Old Town Edinburgh is for you!

Meet your guide at the main entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard.

There, you’ll learn about Greyfriars Bobby – a famous dog that has been honored with an iconic statue in the graveyard.

From there, your guide will lead you through Old Town , showing you archival photographs of what the area was like in days past.

You’ll learn the gruesome history of the city, visiting three of its former execution sites as well as the infamous Tolbooth Prison .

Unlike most other Edinburgh tours, this tour will also take you through The Cowgate.

While walking down this historic street, you’ll learn what life was like for the poor in Edinburgh back in the Victorian era.

Of course, there are plenty of well-known stops along the way, too, including the Mercat Cross, Candlemaker Row, the University of Edinburgh, and more!

10. Guided 90-Minute Photography and sightseeing Tour in Edinburgh : best walking tours Edinburgh

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 130+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1.5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Less touristy route – see the city like a local!
• Tips on how to take the best vacation photos
• Social media tips for posting photos
• Tons of great photo ops!

Whether you’re looking to grow your social media account as a travel influencer, taking photos to share with friends and family, or just want some great shots to put in your personal travel scrapbook, you’re sure to get the best vacay photos on this tour !

Take a private, guided tour with a professional photographer who’ll show you the best way to capture the gorgeous views across Edinburgh.

You’ll be happy to get a break from the crowds as your guide leads you down side-streets and shows you parts of the city that a lot of tourists miss out on!

But don’t worry, you’ll still get to see (and take stunning photos of!) the most iconic sites in Edinburgh, like St Giles’ Cathedral, Holyrood Park, and, of course, Edinburgh Castle!

During the tour, you’ll also learn the best tips and tricks for using hashtags and editing your photos before posting them to Instagram.

11. Edinburgh: The Witches Tour : walking tours in Edinburgh, Scotland

⭐️  RATING:  4.3 out of 5 Stars, 90+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

• Entry to the National Museum of Scotland
• Knowledgeable tour guide
• Learn how to read rune stones
• Learn how to use a pendulum

Curious about the history of witchcraft in Edinburgh ?

Take The Witches Tour !

Your guide will lead you through the National Museum of Scotland and enlighten you on the fascinating history of the area’s witches.

Discover what witches were up to in the late 16th century through the mid 18th century, and marvel at the authentic objects that once aided them in their practice.

During the tour, you’ll have the chance to experiment with dowsing, reading rune stones, and uncover the dark history of hangings in Edinburgh – even visiting the site of such executions!

Weather depending, you may even venture to the roof of the museum, or, if it’s open, visit an historic witches’ shop!

All that talk of witchcraft got you itching to venture into the mystical?

Be sure to book a Chakra or fortune-telling reading (at an additional cost) for after the tour!

Hey! Want to use our trusty guides to the best tours in other places across the UK? Check these out!

• 11 Best Tours of the Cotswolds from London in 2023
• 11 Best Tours of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh in 2023
• 5 Best London Open Top Bus Tours
• 9 Best Scottish Outlander Tours
• 9 Best Ghost Tours in Oxford
• 5 Best Bath Ghost Tours
• 9 Best Bus Tours in Edinburgh
• 19 Most Unique London Tours
• 9 Best Day Trips to Oxford from London
• 7 Best Stonehenge Day Trips from London
• 7 Best Changing of the Guard Tours in London
• 11 Best Oxford Walking Tours
• 11 Best London Rock ‘n’ Roll Tours
• 11 Best London Museum Tours
• 3 Best Morse Tours in Oxford
• 11 Best London Beatles Tours
• 11 Best Walking Tours in Bath
• 13 Best Harry Potter Tours in Oxford
• 11 Best Jack the Ripper Tours in London
• 9 Best London Literary Tours
• 9 Best Street Art Tours in London
• 13 Best Evening & Night Tours of Edinburgh
• 15 Best London Pub Crawl Tours
• 11 Best London Bus Tours for Families
• 17 Best Harry Potter Tours in London
• 17 Best London Foodie Tours
• 13 Best Ghost & Haunted Tours in Edinburgh
• 11 Best London Biking Tours
• 11 Best Private Tours in London
• 11 Best Ghost Tours in London
• 11 Fun Tours of Royal London
• 13 Isle of Skye Tours for a Magical Time
• 13 Mysterious Tours of Loch Ness
• 7 Best James Bond Tours in London
• 7 Best Paris Tours from London
• 7 Best Stratford-upon Avon Tours from London
• 7 Best Tours of Bath from London
• 7 Best Black Cab Tours from London
• 11 Best Downton Abbey Tours in the UK

UK Travel Planning Guide: the FAQs

🏥 Should I buy UK travel insurance?

Absolutely yes. Basic coverage is not expensive, and as a visitor you are NOT covered under the NHS. Compare policies and prices with Travel Insurance Master here , a big name in the travel insurance business, and cross that off your list.

🔌 Do I need travel adapters for the UK?

Yes, you do, otherwise you won’t be able to plug in your electronics/phone/lifelines. I recommend this one , which is all-in-one so you can use it in other countries.

🚗 What do I need to drive in the UK?

The first thing you need to check out if you’re planning on renting a car in the UK is this guide to driving in the UK for visitors – the roads, signs, and driving experience will likely not be what you’re used to and it’s essential to prepare yourself to stay safe and aware.

🛌 What’s the best way to book hotels in the UK?

For UK hotels, Booking is the best site as it offers free cancellation on many properties. If you want an apartment, I always recommend VRBO over AirBnb.

📳 Will my phone work in the UK?

Yes – if you set it up right. Check out my guide on making your foreign phone work in the UK to ensure that you get the type of service you need.

🚿 Can I drink the water in the UK?

Yes, UK water is great and perfectly safe. But drink out of taps in any kitchen or use water fountains. Double check before drinking out of the taps in hotel bathrooms, though, as they may be on a different system. London water is safe to drink .

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

Moving to the UK or already an Expat?

Grab my book which covers moving to the UK, struggles I faced and that you might face too, and uplifting advice to help you along the way! Available in hard copy and on Kindle.

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Scotland Reviews & Ratings

Walk the north west highlands and skye.

Andy Tibbs is the best tour leader. Climbing Bruach Na Frithe was the highlight.

Stephen Lane

Best of Britain

The optional excursions were hit or miss.

Michael Hansen

Our itinerary was very well thought out!! I don’t ...

Lorna Klein

The trip was truly the "best of Britain". Although we didn't stay in one place for very long, we visited so many different places, saw beautiful scenery, enjoyed th...

Trusted Customer

Very busy. Wonderful sites.

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