Icons & Secrets
5 (93)

Must see Edinburgh with a local

8 hours English
5 (93)
100% Personalized

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.

Elisabeth
Elisabeth
Jen
Jen

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

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100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

8 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, 30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2LL

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring:

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

What’s Included:

Private and personalised experience
8 hours with a host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s Excluded:

Food and drink
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Key Highlights:

  • Get to know Edinburgh’s highways and byways with your host
  • See the most iconic attractions in one day
  • Your host will design a unique experience for you which takes in the highlights and caters to your interests
  • Discover the main sites as well as some hidden gems that are tucked away nearby
  • Eat delicious Scottish dishes at places that are loved by locals, like a popular neighbourhood street food market, an eatery or pub
  • Get recommendations from your host about places to visit for the remainder of your trip

What travelers think of our Edinburgh experiences

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Fons 27 June 2025

We easily met Gee in Waverley Station, our meeting point. After a short introduction we started an interesting walking tour that he adapted to our interests and wishes. He is a great storyteller and showed us lot of hidden gems and remarkable details in and on the Edinburgh streets. We had a nice lunch in The Last Drop. We concluded our tour, that covered all the main places of interest, with a good beer in a beautiful pub. He made our visit to Edinburgh one of the highlights on our cruise.

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F
Fons 27 June 2025

We easily met Gee in Waverley Station, our meeting point. After a short introduction we started an interesting walking tour that he adapted to our interests and wishes. He is a great storyteller and showed us lot of hidden gems and remarkable details in and on the Edinburgh streets. We had a nice lunch in The Last Drop. We concluded our tour, that covered all the main places of interest, with a good beer in a beautiful pub. He made our visit to Edinburgh one of the highlights on our cruise.

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L
Lauren 17 March 2023

Tom had great knowledge of the area, fun stories/antidotes and easy to talk with! Tom by himself made up for the previous guide canceling on us last minute. I would schedule another tour with Tom, given the chance! We are still disappointed about the last minute cancellation, as it would have been an even better experience if we had Tom’s recommendation for the remainder of our time in Edinburgh.

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M
Mary 26 August 2022

I just had an absolutely spectacular six hours with Gwen. I gave her my vague preferences and a mention of my interest in the medical history of Edinburgh, and she turned that into a jam-packed day of new adventures and experiences. By my second hour in I got visibly excited every time Gwen said she had another "hidden gem" for me to see, because those finds were so consistently interesting and enriching. She is clearly someone who takes her role very seriously, and I couldn't have asked for a better companion for the day. 5 stars.

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Molly 23 July 2022

Gwen did a great job of showing me lots of places in old town I would have missed on my own and was solicitous of my welfare with the many steps, cobbles and crosswalks without lights. I had a wonderful time. It was a great introduction to Edinburgh, and she made some suggestions of places for me to see tomorrow.

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C
Camilla 24 July 2022

My mother is a very active octogenarian who wanted to tackle the Royal Mile and Gwen was so attentive and receptive to her needs and limits. We really enjoyed her customized tour with personal entertaining anecdotes about the places on and just off the beaten path. Getting to visit with a local made our trip so much better. Thank you Gwen.

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What you’ll do

A full day in Edinburgh, you lucky thing! Reminiscent of an old tapestry, the capital is abundant with history (that every barman can tell you about), full of folklore, and perches seamlessly atop the crags of its natural landscape.

You’ll follow your Edinburgh host through the city’s antique streets, absorbing every ounce of its rich heritage.

Perhaps you’d like to see some of the city’s famous attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument or walk the Royal Mile before heading to a cozy pub for a wee dram or two with your host? For a stunning view of Old Town, why not climb Arthur’s Seat?

With your host by your side, you’ll be able to tackle the city as a local might, falling into (or out of) pubs, visiting markets, frequenting bookstores, and navigating the most obscure crooks of the oldest neighborhoods. Like a good book, you’ll want to discover this charming city over and over again!

Real Stories, Real Connections

Smiling together under Edinburgh's clear blue skies.

Smiling together under Edinburgh's clear blue skies.

Enjoying a sunny day outside Edinburgh's historic museum.

Enjoying a sunny day outside Edinburgh's historic museum.

Posing with Edinburgh Castle's rugged beauty in the background.

Posing with Edinburgh Castle's rugged beauty in the background.

Enjoying a colorful stroll through Edinburgh's vibrant streets.

Enjoying a colorful stroll through Edinburgh's vibrant streets.

Sharing smiles over a meal in a cozy Edinburgh café.

Sharing smiles over a meal in a cozy Edinburgh café.

Admiring Edinburgh's historic statues under a blue, cloud-streaked sky.

Admiring Edinburgh's historic statues under a blue, cloud-streaked sky.

Smiles abound in front of Edinburgh's gleaming distillery window.

Smiles abound in front of Edinburgh's gleaming distillery window.

Pausing outside a lively folk music bar in Edinburgh.

Pausing outside a lively folk music bar in Edinburgh.

Enjoying a lively day beneath Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Enjoying a lively day beneath Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Exploring Edinburgh's vibrant streets under a patchwork of dramatic clouds.

Exploring Edinburgh's vibrant streets under a patchwork of dramatic clouds.

Exploring Edinburgh under a bright blue sky, smiles all around.

Exploring Edinburgh under a bright blue sky, smiles all around.

Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above sunlit spring foliage.

Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above sunlit spring foliage.

Laughter and good food in a cozy Edinburgh pub.

Laughter and good food in a cozy Edinburgh pub.

A sunny day exploring the historic charm of Edinburgh's streets.

A sunny day exploring the historic charm of Edinburgh's streets.

Enjoying a sunny bench break with a friendly bear companion.

Enjoying a sunny bench break with a friendly bear companion.

Bundled up warmly, they explore Edinburgh's rich historical settings.

Bundled up warmly, they explore Edinburgh's rich historical settings.

Bundled up in Edinburgh against the dramatic castle backdrop.

Bundled up in Edinburgh against the dramatic castle backdrop.

Exploring the intricate stone beauty of Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Exploring the intricate stone beauty of Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Stopping by Greyfriars Bobby for a classic Edinburgh snapshot.

Stopping by Greyfriars Bobby for a classic Edinburgh snapshot.

Sharing a cozy moment by the ornate Edinburgh fountain.

Sharing a cozy moment by the ornate Edinburgh fountain.

Enjoying a sunny stroll near Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Enjoying a sunny stroll near Edinburgh's historic architecture.

Sharing smiles in a cozy Edinburgh pub.

Sharing smiles in a cozy Edinburgh pub.

Pausing for a cheerful photo under Edinburgh's striking architecture.

Pausing for a cheerful photo under Edinburgh's striking architecture.

Basking in the sunshine at Edinburgh's iconic hilltop monument.

Basking in the sunshine at Edinburgh's iconic hilltop monument.

Strolling through Edinburgh's history with a view of the majestic spire.

Strolling through Edinburgh's history with a view of the majestic spire.

Sunlight bathes Edinburgh Castle, peeking through springtime foliage.

Sunlight bathes Edinburgh Castle, peeking through springtime foliage.

Soaking up history under Edinburgh's towering cathedral spires.

Soaking up history under Edinburgh's towering cathedral spires.

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Enjoying the crisp Edinburgh air outside a local distillery.

Enjoying the crisp Edinburgh air outside a local distillery.

Savoring local brews in a cozy Edinburgh pub corner.

Savoring local brews in a cozy Edinburgh pub corner.

Enjoying the lively atmosphere of an Edinburgh pub together.

Enjoying the lively atmosphere of an Edinburgh pub together.

Smiling faces and kilts under Edinburgh Castle's majestic presence.

Smiling faces and kilts under Edinburgh Castle's majestic presence.

Enjoying a relaxed afternoon drink in an Edinburgh pub.

Enjoying a relaxed afternoon drink in an Edinburgh pub.

A cozy evening in Edinburgh with drinks and warm smiles.

A cozy evening in Edinburgh with drinks and warm smiles.