Tours & activities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh New Town Tour
Travel back in time and discover the history and the people of Edinburgh's New Town
!
Due to the unusual tourism situation currently developing, we have temporarily suspended this tour.
ABOUT THE Edinburgh New Town Tour
On this 3-hour walking tour you will learn about social campaigners, royal visits, and Scottish inventors. See the area's elegant Georgian homes and landmarks such as the Princes Street Gardens and Gothic Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Your New Town Tour meets outside Frankie and Benny’s at 130 High Street and finishes by Princes Street Gardens.
If you traveled back in time to 1850, you would recognise life in Edinburgh, but if you went back to 1750, you very likely wouldn’t. What happened in those 100 years that not only changed the face of Scotland, but indeed the world?
This period in Scottish history influenced the golden era of the Enlightenment like no other. Edinburgh had the highest literacy rate in the world and was the place that Sir Walter Scott, John Knox and Alexander Graham Bell called home. It also was the birthplace of seminal inventions like the telephone, anaesthesia and even the world's first fire brigade.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
The Edinburgh New Town Tour starts in front of Frankie & Benny's on 130 High Street by Tron Kirk
- The world’s oldest Masonic Lodge and other secret societies
- Why the entire area of Edinburgh's New Town
- Major inventions during the Scottish Enlightenment
- Sir Walter Scott and the colourful visit of King George IV.
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- James Braidwood and the world’s first fire service
- The Ross Fountain and Princes Street Gardens
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
This tour doesn‘t run today
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Local Spanish-speaking guide
Additional Information
- Due to the old streets and uneven terrain, accessing parts of Edinburgh by wheelchair can sometimes be challenging. The New Town Tour is wheelchair accessible when accompanied by a non-disabled participant
- All minors must be accompanied by an adult in order to join the tour
- Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
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Customer reviews
JEN - Our New Town Guide Did A Great Job
We had a very enjoyable walking tour of Edinburgh New Town. Jen, our guide, was extremely knowledgable and brought the place to life with her stories of the local characters who lived and worked in the area.The buildings are also beautiful and the Royal Bank of Scotland building, in particular, is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
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Old and New Town tour
We did 2 tours and both were excellent. In the morning we did the Old Town tour with Australian David who has a lot of good stories to tell. My dad would give him 6 stars if possible! In the afternoon we did the New Town tour with Jen and she is a passionate and entertaining storyteller. Both more than happy to elaborately answer any question you might have. Both tours were at a good pace and we had much luck with the weather as well.
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New Town Tour
We went on a tour of the new town with our friendly, engaging and very enthusiastic tour guide Angus. He wove the narrative of the development of modern Scotland and Scottish culture in an informative and interesting manner.
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New town trip with Neale!
My sister and I had our New town trip with Neale and it was one of the most informative and interesting walking tours that I have been to around Europe. He also took an effort to show us examples of different architectures to make us understand the historical and architectural significance of it. I would recommend the New town trip to people who are looking to explore the other side of the city.
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New Town Tour
Richard was a fantastic tour guide: informative, engaging, and enthusiatic. Excellent tour for getting your bearings historically. I completely enjoyed it!
See more reviewsWhat is a Select Tour?
Select Tours focus on a particular area or district of a city, a certain aspect of its history or culture, or take you outside the city on a day trip. Select Tours are perfect for those who have enjoyed an introduction to the city and wish to delve deeper into the stories the city has to offer. These tours often venture further afield and make use of local public transport.
As with the Free Tour, Select Tours are provided by local freelance guides in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, who bring their personal flair and expert knowledge to these specifically themed tours. Select tours have a fixed ticket price - we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance, either during a Free Tour or online.
Delve deeper with themed select tours
- Expert local guides
- Theme specific tours
- Location specific tours
- Full-day and half-day tours on offer
- Affordable prices
WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN EDINBURGH
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- Free Tour
- Select Tour
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- Private Tour
Free Tour - Tips-based
Free Tour of Edinburgh
Book the original Edinburgh Free Walking Tour and explore the city's highlights with a local guide
Info & Booking
Free
Select Tour
Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour
Our top-rated walking tour of the iconic Edinburgh Castle includes skip-the-line entrance
Info & Booking
£ 35
Select Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour
Discover the magical world of Harry Potter with a Walking Tour in the city where J.K. Rowling wrote ...
Info & Booking
£ 14
Free Tour - Tips-based
Edinburgh Dark Side Walking Tour
No ghost stories - Edinburgh's true history is scary enough!
Info & Booking
Free
Info & Booking
£ -
Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Get in touch!
Free Tour - Tips-based
Free Tour of Edinburgh
Book the original Edinburgh Free Walking Tour and explore the city's highlights with a local guide
Info & Booking
Free
Select Tour
Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour
Our top-rated walking tour of the iconic Edinburgh Castle includes skip-the-line entrance
Info & Booking
£ 35
Select Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour
Discover the magical world of Harry Potter with a Walking Tour in the city where J.K. Rowling wrote ...
Info & Booking
£ 14
Free Tour - Tips-based
Edinburgh Dark Side Walking Tour
No ghost stories - Edinburgh's true history is scary enough!
Info & Booking
Free
Info & Booking
£ -
Private Tour
2-hour Edinburgh Highlights Private Tour
Make the most out of your visit and discover Edinburgh's top attractions with your private tour guid ...
Info & Booking
£ -
Private Tour
3-hour Edinburgh Private City Tour
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Edinburgh's fascinating history and must-see sites with your priva ...
Info & Booking
£ -
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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