Edinburgh Old Town and Calton Hill Self Guided Audio Tour

4–6 hours Free cancellation

Edinburgh Old Town and Calton Hill Self Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town at your own pace with Votura’s self-guided audio walking tour. Follow an interactive route through 15 historic stops, including Edinburgh Castle, Victoria Street, St Giles’ Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Royal Mile. Hear engaging stories about Edinburgh’s history, legends, architecture and famous residents directly from the app.

Your booking also includes 1 week of full access to Votura, allowing you to explore nearby places and create additional AI-powered self-guided tours during your trip. Audio is available in multiple supported languages, and there are no fixed departure times or groups to follow.

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At a glance

Duration: 4–6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 99 people
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: Hindi, Arabic, German, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, Javanese, French, Spanish
Written guide: Hindi, Arabic, German, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, Javanese, French, Spanish
Operated by: Votura

Ages: Children (5–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Interactive digital map and walking route
Included: Access to the Edinburgh Old Town & Calton Hill self-guided walking tour
Included: 1 week of full access to all Votura app features
Included: Access to Votura Explore and AI tour-creation features
Included: Audio commentary for all 15 tour stops
Included: Audio available in multiple supported languages

Not included

Not included: In-person tour guide
Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Mobile data or Wi-Fi
Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Admission tickets to attractions
Not included: Any optional purchases or paid attraction entry
Not included: Admission fees: Edinburgh Castle is optional and you can pay fees on-site. GBP 23.50 per adult
Not included: Admission fees: Camera Obscura is optional and you can pay fees on-site.

Itinerary

Edinburgh Castle

Passing by

Begin the self-guided walking tour at Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks. From Castlehill, discover the fortress’s dramatic setting on an ancient volcanic rock and hear about its royal residents, sieges, battles and importance in Scottish history. The Votura app provides the audio commentary and guides you onwards through Edinburgh’s Old Town. (Admission is not included and can be purchased on site)
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Passing by

Continue along Castlehill to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, one of Edinburgh’s best-known visitor attractions. The tour explains the history of the site and its long association with panoramic views of the city, while introducing the character of Castlehill and the upper Royal Mile. (Admission is not included and can be purchased on site)
Victoria Street

15 min

Walk down one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive streets, known for its curved layout, colourful shopfronts and layered Old Town architecture. Hear how Victoria Street developed in the 19th century and how its dramatic design connects the upper Old Town with the Grassmarket below.
Gladstone's Land

15 min

Discover one of the Royal Mile’s best-preserved historic tenement buildings. Hear how merchants and residents lived in Edinburgh’s crowded Old Town, and learn how buildings like Gladstone’s Land reveal the social history, architecture and everyday life of the city over several centuries.
Heart of Midlothian

10 min

Stop beside the heart-shaped mosaic set into the pavement near St Giles’ Cathedral. Learn how it marks the site of Edinburgh’s former Old Tolbooth, once used as a prison, courthouse and place of execution, and hear about the unusual local tradition associated with the spot.
Advocate's Close

5 min

Step into one of the Old Town’s atmospheric historic closes, descending from the Royal Mile through a narrow passage framed by tall stone buildings. Learn how Edinburgh’s closes developed, how people lived and worked within them, and why they are such a distinctive part of the city’s medieval street pattern.
St Giles' Cathedral

30 min

Visit one of the most important historic buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Learn about St Giles’ role in Scotland’s religious history, the Scottish Reformation and its association with John Knox, while taking in the cathedral’s distinctive crown-shaped spire and Gothic architecture.
Parliament Square- Edinburgh

10 min

Explore the historic square beside St Giles’ Cathedral, once the heart of Scotland’s political and legal life. Learn about the former Parliament House, the old Scottish Parliament before the 1707 Union, and the square’s continuing importance to Edinburgh’s legal institutions.
Mercat Cross

10 min

Stop at Edinburgh’s historic Mercat Cross, once the traditional centre for public announcements, proclamations and civic ceremonies. Learn how the cross played a key role in the life of the medieval burgh and why it remains an important symbol of Edinburgh’s civic history.
National Museum of Scotland

1 h 30 min

Stop outside the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, home to collections covering Scottish history, archaeology, science, technology and world cultures. Learn about the museum’s striking architecture and its role in preserving and presenting Scotland’s national story.
Greyfriars Bobby

10 min

See the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby and hear the story of the small Skye Terrier said to have remained devoted to his owner long after his death. Learn how Bobby became one of Edinburgh’s best-known local legends and why his story still attracts visitors today.
Greyfriars Kirk

30 min

Explore one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric historic graveyards, surrounding Greyfriars Kirk. Hear about notable people buried here, the Covenanters, centuries of Edinburgh history and some of the legends associated with the kirkyard.
Grassmarket

15 min

Discover one of Edinburgh’s oldest market areas, set beneath the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Hear about the Grassmarket’s history as a centre of trade, public gatherings and executions, and learn how the area evolved into one of the Old Town’s most distinctive historic districts.
John Knox House Museum

Passing by

Stop at one of the Royal Mile’s most distinctive historic buildings, traditionally associated with Protestant reformer John Knox. Learn about Edinburgh during the Scottish Reformation, the building’s medieval character, and the religious and political changes that transformed Scotland in the 16th century.
Old Calton Burial Ground

30 min

Visit this historic cemetery at the foot of Calton Hill, where monuments and memorials tell stories of Edinburgh’s political, military and intellectual past. See notable memorials including the striking Political Martyrs’ Monument and learn about some of the people commemorated here.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This is a self-guided tour with no in-person guide. Start the tour outside Edinburgh Castle on Castlehill. Open the Votura app and begin the tour when you are ready.

End point

The tour ends at Old Calton Burial Ground, near Calton Hill and Waterloo Place.

Using your ticket

After booking, you will receive separate instructions to access the tour in the Votura app. Download Votura on your smartphone and follow the provided activation instructions to unlock the Edinburgh Old Town & Calton Hill tour and your 1 week of full app access. No physical ticket or in-person collection is required.