About This Event

Guided walking tour - the origin, growth and stories of Edinburgh's New Town. Led by award-winning Stewart Wilson (Tweed Valley Blogger) Join a two‑hour guided walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, a place where centuries of history and everyday life are layered along the 'Royal Mile' and its surrounding closes. Beginning at Holyrood, we make our way up through the Canongate and through the heart of the Old Town, weaving between the High Street, George IV Bridge, Chambers Street and the Cowgate before finishing near the World’s End, close to where we began. Rather than battling the crowds around the Castle, this tour seeks out the quieter corners, overlooked closes and hidden stories that reveal the Old Town’s character beyond the tourist shops. From pre historic foundations to medieval might, from grand civic buildings to tucked away details, we explore how this remarkable district grew and endured. As a Borders based guide, I bring an outsider’s eye, but one sharpened by decades of working in Edinburgh and walking these streets daily. That blend of distance and deep familiarity helps me spot the details many pass by and uncover stories that often sit just out of sight.

Staying overnight?

Hotels within walking distance of The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Frequently asked questions