Adjacent is the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which is steeped in Scottish culture and puts on excellent events for all ages
Found on the Royal Mile, John Knox House dates from around 1490, making it the oldest surviving tenement in Edinburgh. It earned its named by virtue of the fact that John Knox, the Protestant reformer, is reputed to have lived there between 1561 and 1572. John Knox House is thus strongly associated with one of the most turbulent moments in Scottish History: The Scottish Reformation.
Now owned by the Church of Scotland, the first two floors are a museum about John Knox, the evolution of the Protestant faith and the conflict between John Knox and the Roman Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots. If you don’t know the history already, this is a great place to start, along with a trip to St Giles’ Cathedral. But even if you do know the history, the detail here is sure to flesh out your knowledge.
On the second floor is the Oak Room with its hand-carved and painted wood ceiling, depicting some curious scenes (try and find the devil — he’s there somewhere). Soberly decorated, the apartment remains much as John Knox would have known it. You can almost see him scratching away with his quill in the corner, tongue out the side of his mouth, writing his fire and brimstone sermons.
Switching sides
John Knox House has been home to both royalists and reformers. James Mosman, goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots, lived in this building during the 1550s. He was devoted to Queen Mary and was one of the “Queen’s Men” who seized Edinburgh castle in a bid to restore her to the throne after her forced abdication. He was hung, drawn and quartered for his troubles.
Explore the cobbled alleyways of the Royal Mile, uncovering the culture and history of Edinburgh's Old Town in the heart of Scotland's historic capital. Take a walk down the mile-long street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, which connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The name was given to the location in the 15th century when King James IV began a royal palace at the bottom of Castlehill and undertook large-scale rebuilding along the route.
On your private tour, you will:
This tour is the perfect introductory tour for anyone arriving in Edinburgh for the first time. On your tour, you will visit Edinburgh’s main thoroughfare running through Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the beautiful Palace of Holyrood House.
Be completely immersed in the rich Scottish history that is ever-present amongst the medieval labyrinth of cobblestone alleyways and tenements. Home to the fascinating St Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square and John Knox House, The Royal Mile is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of secrets not to be missed.
Whilst exploring Old Town, one cannot help but notice Edinburgh Castle looming over the city. Your expert local guide will tell you about the fascinating history of this enigmatic fortress, including many of the bloody battles that took place here, such as the War of Independence between Scotland and England in the 14th Century, as well as its present-day use as headquarters for the Scottish Division.
Your tour finishes at Calton Hill, where we recommend you climb to explore the views at your own leisure.
With one dormant volcano, seven hills, clusters of cobbled streets and tantalising vistas waiting around every bend, Edinburgh is a fabulous place for a wander - especially with a private tour guide. Discover the history and beauty of Edinburgh's cobbled streets as you explore Medieval Old Town and Neoclassical New Town. Take a stroll down Edinburgh's streets and alleys, discovering its fascinating history and rich culture, with highlights including the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and much more.
On your private, full-day tour you will:
A tour of Edinburgh would not be complete without a visit to Scotland’s most famous historic attraction: Edinburgh Castle. Here you will learn about the fascinating history of this mysterious castle. Stop to enjoy lunch at your leisure (price not included). Your guide will be happy to point out the best place whenever you're ready to give your legs a rest and grab a leisurely bite.
You will have the chance to view the Scottish Parliament, one of the most controversial buildings in Scotland given its construction going 10 times over budget, and admire the grand Palace of Holyroodhouse, home to the Monarchy in Scotland. The breathtaking view from Calton Hill will make you fall in love with the Scottish capital forever.
Venturing into the beautiful neoclassical New Town, built in the 18th Century, enjoy a true marvel of urban planning. As you walk through the main streets and squares of Edinburgh's New Town, you will find yourself impressed by the lavish 18th-century neoclassical and Georgian architecture. Enjoy a leisurely stroll in the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, which lies at the centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site.
On this half-day walking tour of Edinburgh, you will discover some of the most important historical sites of Scotland, including the world-famous Royal Mile, a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, and a medieval labyrinth of cobblestone alleyways and tenements that comprise this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On your private walking tour, you will:
On your private tour, your expert guide will take you into Old Town’s maze of streets and concealed courtyards, where you will learn about the city’s ‘closes’- cramped alleyways, and ‘wynds’ - narrow lanes between houses.
Hear about the many characters who lived and died here, including Deacon Brodie, town councilman by day and master thief by night, who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
You will also have the chance to see the imposing St Giles Cathedral from the outside – the seat of Scottish Christianity for over nine centuries and the cradle of the Scottish Reformation during the 16th century.
Found on the High Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, it dominates the city’s skyline, with its crowned steeple making a distinctive signature. The current building dates from the 15th century, but there has been a church on the site since early in the 12th.
A tour of Edinburgh would not be complete without learning about Scotland’s most famous historic attraction: Edinburgh Castle. Your guide will take you on a brief private tour of the castle, before leaving you to explore it at your own pace.
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