Tours With Locals In Edinburgh

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top Edinburgh tours & experiences

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Discover secret Edinburgh

From a secret village to a roof top terrace with spectacular views of the city, your host will unlock the hidden gems you would miss on your own

$103.36 per person

3 hours

(56)

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Must see Edinburgh with a local

See some of Edinburgh's top sites in a day, from the Royal Mile to Calton Hill, and a sprinkle of hidden gems on an experience fully tailored to you.

$232.56 per person

8 hours

(100)

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Edinburgh whisky experience

Stroll through the historic Old Town with a fellow whisky-lover, stopping to try four whiskies from Scotland’s major whisky-producing regions.

$143.48 per person

3 hours

(56)

Escape the airport: see Edinburgh on your layover

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Escape the airport: see Edinburgh on your layover

Get picked up at the airport and swap the airport lounge for a tour of Edinburgh tailored to your schedule and wishes!

$207.06 per person

5 hours

(45)

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Full day in Edinburgh with a local

The Edinburgh you want to experience in a day! See the main sites, taste the diverse food scene or go off the tourist trail. It's totally up to you!

$232.56 per person

8 hours

(39)

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh A night in Edinburgh with a local

Explore beautiful Edinburgh after dark, guided by your host! From walking along the Royal Mile to mingling with the locals at a bar, it's up to you!

$149.6 per person

4 hours

(84)

A royal walk: Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh A royal walk: Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat

Walk around the beautiful Old Town and the streets surrounding Edinburgh Castle admiring incredible architecture and discovering hidden gems.

$77.52 per person

2 hours

(85)

Let the tasting be gin - Edinburgh gin experience

City Unscripted Original

Edinburgh Let the tasting be gin - Edinburgh gin experience

Sip your way around Edinburgh with a fellow gin-lover tasting traditional and lesser-known gins on an experience tailored to your wishes.

$144.84 per person

3 hours

(73)

See all

The best Edinburgh private tours & experiences with locals

Want to experience the very best of the Scottish capital in whatever time you have? Join City Unscripted for Edinburgh tours with locals that help you uncover every nook and cranny of the city’s iconic jumble of centuries-old cobbled alleys. Set aside your guidebook and let a local lead you to the city’s famous attractions as well as the hidden gems off the beaten track. Edinburgh tours with locals who have spent years exploring their hometown give you the ultimate travel experience. Get a tour specifically tailored to you that highlights everything you’ll love about Edinburgh – and who better to plan your route than someone who knows the city inside and out?

Meet some of our Edinburgh local hosts

Brian

Edinburgh

Local Edinburgh host, well-versed in the city's captivating history and a connoisseur of its delectable food and drink scene, eager to unveil the city's best-kept secrets.

Jen

Edinburgh

Quirky history buff and adventurous explorer, uncovering Edinburgh's hidden gems with a pocketful of historical anecdotes and a knack for finding the best haggis in town.

Passionate Edinburgh host, history buff and architecture enthusiast with expert insights into Edinburgh's rich culture, stunning geology, and vibrant food scene.

Alice

Edinburgh

Edinburgh local with a passion for storytelling, ready to take you on an unforgettable tour of the city's hidden gems.

Richard

Edinburgh

Quirky Edinburgh host and festival fanatic with a knack for uncovering the city's best bars, coffee spots, and hidden gems.

Doug

Edinburgh

Avid history buff and whisky enthusiast with a penchant for exploring Edinburgh's hidden gems and sharing stories about the city's fascinating past.

James

Edinburgh

Friendly Edinburgh local host with insider knowledge of the city's top neighborhoods and a passion for showcasing its architecture, street cafes, and cultural hotspots.

More than the must-sees

With so many world-renowned attractions to explore in and around Edinburgh’s magical cityscape, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why our tours with locals in Edinburgh don’t just stick to the main sights and busy streets of the Old Town. Your host is a walking, talking GPS and guidebook who will help you discover secret sights off the tourist trail. Stumble across places few travelers get to see, like a 17th-century-style secret garden or a humble café loved by locals for its gooey cheese toasties. On Edinburgh tours with locals, you’ll find things you didn’t even know existed.

Like-minded locals to lead you

Every traveler is different – and so are our hosts! On Edinburgh tours with locals, you’ll be expertly matched with a like-minded local guide who shares some similarities with you. The person you are paired with will be someone who has spent years uncovering the places you’ll love, whether you’re a literary lover, culinary connoisseur, architecture obsessor, or history buff. Trust our guides to take the reins on Edinburgh tours with locals and give you an unforgettable experience created especially for you. You’ll see the city through a local lens, making your day that much more special.

Tailored tours in Edinburgh

Are you a fanatic foodie eager to try Scotland’s hearty culinary contributions or a whisky-lover who’s ready for a “wee dram” (or several) right here in the gateway to Scotch whisky? Perhaps the city’s history and heritage are what attract you more than anything, and you’re looking for cultural tours with locals in Edinburgh. At City Unscripted, we pay close attention to what you like. Our personalized tours with locals in Edinburgh are 100% tailored to suit your interests, and no two tours are alike. Just tell us what you want from your tour, and we’ll make your dream day come true.

Edinburgh travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, the best things to do and lots of travel tips in Edinburgh and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Excellent.

27 May 2026

Leong H
Cal did a wonderful job taking us around Old Town. He has so much knowledge about the city and truly loves living in Edinburgh. He gave us a dinner recommendation and even ended our tour there to ensure we were taken care of. Great service!! Cal has a very thick Italian accent that was a little difficult for us to understand, but that’s our fault for only speaking English. Cal is a great ambassador for Edinburgh! So energetic, kind, and full of great information!

27 May 2026

Breigh M
II will always take a private tour when I travel and spending a few hours with Lilia discovering Edinburgh was amazing. She picked me up on time which was great and a few weeks beforehand maybe even a month she asked me what I wanted to do and she sent me an itinerary of what we would be doing which I thought was very personal and nice of her. The day was spent exploding as well as a few hidden gems . Her knowledge and love for Edinburgh showed. I will choose her over and over again. She ‘s very sweet and funny . We chatted like old friends.. The day after the tour with her, I was able to maneuver my way around Edinburgh, so easily .

20 May 2026

Julie S
Richard was very nice and approachable. Friendly too! The entire afternoon felt like we were walking with a friend.

22 May 2026

Viola C