4.8 (1.9 k) · Edinburgh · By Mercat Tours Free cancellation
Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and its past far beyond your visit.
Take the Story Home: evoke the memories:
- Listen to the tour playlist
The castle towers over Edinburgh from up high on its ancient volcanic rock – a literal fortress, looking out over the city’s stunning landscapes. Battles and sieges were fought over it, royalty lived and died within its walls, and countless generations have been inspired by it.
Step into Edinburgh Castle alongside your Master Storyteller, with all entry arrangements handled so you can stay immersed in the story.
As a certified B Corporation, we're dedicated to responsible tourism practices that benefit our community and environment.
Join an unrivalled journey into Edinburgh's past, engaging all the senses to create a truly memorable experience that lasts long after your visit.
✓ Exclusive multi-sensory experience; with master Storyteller guides✓ Enhanced, hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh, delivered through TourTalk audio devices✓ Small group experience✓ Tickets to Edinburgh Castle with your Storyteller✓ Exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh Playlist✕ Transportation to/from meeting point✕ Gratuities (if not already included)✕ Personal expenses✕ Bags larger than 25 liters (not permitted inside Edinburgh Castle)1 St Giles' Cathedral
View the exterior and hear the history.
· 5 min
2 Parliament House
View the exterior
· 5 min
3 Edinburgh Old Town
Explore on foot. Hear the history from your guide
· 30 min
4 Royal Mile
Explore on foot with your storytelling guide.
· 30 min
5 John Knox House Museum
View the exterior and discover the history with your guide
· 5 min
6 St. Margaret's Chapel
Included with castle entry ticket.
· 5 min · Admission included
7 Castlehill
Enjoy the views over Edinburgh.
· 10 min
8 Edinburgh Castle
If the "castle included" option is selected you will enjoy a 45 minute introductory tour of Edinburgh Castle with your guide and then have as much free time as you like to explore the Castle afterwards
· 45 min · Admission included
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking
Mercat Cross, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. Look for the 8 sided monument with white Unicorn on top. You will find a member of our visitor services team waiting here to check you in. They will be dressed in black, holding an iPad, wearing an orange lanyard & holding a black & orange umbrella.
Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG. This tour ends inside Edinburgh Castle
To provide a fully immersive experience, we'll provide a personal audio device. Your Storyteller will use a headset with microphone to ensure you hear every word over the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh's lively Old Town. You are welcome to bring your own headphones (3.5mm jack) or use a pair of ours.
Please arrive at the Mercat Cross on The Royal Mile (High Street) EH1 1RF, 15 minutes before the start of your tour and check-in with the on-street representative from Mercat Tours.
Wheelchair accessible Service animals allowed Public transportation options are available nearby Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes. Please note: Edinburgh Castle will not admit visitors with bags larger than a 25litre capacity Please note that we cannot accept babies or children under the age of 5 on this tour. Royal Mile and Castle Castle entry fee included Maximum group size of 18 Walking tour including castle Wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves walking. Dress for the weather, as tours run year-round. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. Bags larger than 25 liters are not permitted in Edinburgh Castle. Children under 5 are not permitted on this tour. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 293401SECRETS
Activity offered by Mercat Tours via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Travelers with a moderate level of physical fitness Visitors interested in history and storytelling Those seeking an immersive cultural experience Exclusive multi-sensory experience with Master Storyteller guides Immersive audio experience with TourTalk devices Intimate small group setting Edinburgh Castle entry included Exclusive 'Sounds of Edinburgh' playlist
Population 488,050 (2016)
Elevation 47 m
Currency pound sterling
Driving on the left
Power plugs G · 230 V
Emergency number 999
Capital city London Average temperatures 3° Jan 3° Feb 5° Mar 7° Apr 10° May 13° Jun 14° Jul 14° Aug 12° Sept 9° Oct 6° Nov 4° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is included in the tour? + The tour includes an exclusive multi-sensory experience with master Storyteller guides, enhanced audio devices with hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh, a small group experience, tickets to Edinburgh Castle with your Storyteller, and an exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh Playlist.
What is not included in the tour? + Transportation to/from the meeting point, gratuities (if not already included), personal expenses, and bags larger than 25 liters are not included.
What are the meeting and ending points? + The tour departs from Mercat Cross, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF and ends inside Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG.
What should I bring? + You are welcome to bring your own headphones (3.5mm jack) or use a pair of ours. Please ensure you do not bring bags larger than 25 liters.
Is this tour accessible? + The tour is wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed. Public transportation options are available nearby. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.
Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Excellent and informative tour.
W3471KGbrucew, October 2026
This was an excellent tour and well worth the cost. Marina was an exceptional guide and a great storyteller with so much interesting information about the history of Edinburgh and the Castle. Try and take this tour as soon as you arrive because it will give you some great information about what to see in Edinburgh. Would highly recommend Mercat tours and Marina.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Royal Mile and Castle
Hiimpeter, October 2026
Marina was excellent and we would be pleased to do another tour with her.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
This is the company you want!
jennia681, October 2026
Linda was a wealth of knowledge and highly entertaining on our Royal Mile Secrets tour! We had just gotten to town and she showed us multiple spots, shared stories, and made us laugh. This tour company is professional and passionate about their work - book with Mercat!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
A tailored tour
sherrid285, October 2026
Our guide, Linda, was fantastic. She made it a point to ask about everyone on tour-where we were from and what our occupations were and then she tailored the tour from there. She made the information accessible and fun for everyone, and even had tour participants play roles at various points along the walk. We talked a lot about historical events but Linda also talked about living in Scotland today. The tour was well worth the time and money spent.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Royal Mile with Nicola.
ToneAus, October 2026
Nicola was great, making the whole experience a lot of fun.
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