Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

4.8 (4 reviews) 1 h 30 min – 2 hours Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

4.8

Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Edinburgh’s complex history through the lens of its most influential architects, on a 90-minute walk.

If you’re curious about the origins of Scottish design then you'll enjoy this self-guided walking tour in the atmospheric Old Town. You’ll explore the fascinating historical buildings that give the area its character, and admire award-winning contemporary architecture like the famous Scottish Parliament.

On this audio tour, you’ll meander through narrow closes, beneath stepped gables and turrets, pausing at breathtaking viewpoints. You'll be shown the easy-to-miss details on the buildings, and old maps and drawings.

Downloading the tour onto the VoiceMap app to enjoy the tour on location or virtually at home.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Not included

Not included: Food/Drink
Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Royal Scottish Academy

Passing by

This self-guided audio tour starts in front of Edinburgh's Royal Scottish Academy. Before you start your walk, you'll be introduced to the tour and hear a bit about how the VoiceMap app works.
Princes Street Gardens

Passing by

The tour takes you through a section of Princes Street Gardens. While you walk, you'll hear a bit of Edinburgh's history and how its history is represented through its architecture.
Royal Mile

Passing by

The tour takes you down part of the Royal Mile. You'll hear about how the Royal Mile is the physical and social backbone of the Old Town.
National Museum of Scotland

Passing by

You'll walk around the outside of the National Museum of Scotland. While you walk, you'll see the unusual, lesser-known side of the National Museum of Scotland.
Gladstone's Land

Passing by

The tour briefly stops in front of Gladstone's Land. You'll learn about this pre-mid 17th century building, one of the few on Royal Mile, before continuing your walk.
Riddle's Court

Passing by

The tour takes you to Riddle's Court where you'll learn about this hidden place that was once a merchant's house.
St Giles' Cathedral

Passing by

The tour takes you past St Giles Cathedral. While you walk, you'll hear the history of the cathedral and hear about some of its remodellings.
John Knox House Museum

Passing by

The tour briefly stops in front of John Knox House Museum. You'll learn the history of the house and how the building got its name.
The Scottish Parliament

Passing by

The tour ends in front of the Scottish Parliament building. You'll hear about some of its architectural features.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This self-guided audio tour ends in front of the Scottish Parliament Building.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. VoiceMap has sent you an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

2. Create an account

3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]