Enlightenment in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Walking Tour
- 2–2.3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
This self-guided audio tour takes you on a journey with the intellectual giants and freethinkers who put Edinburgh on the map. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Edinburgh. When Edinburgh’s Old Town became overcrowded and filthy in the 1700s, a radical plan was devised to build a new town with wide, clean streets and gracious Georgian housing. On this walking tour, you’ll discover how this radical thinking wasn’t restricted to town planning. Along the way, you’ll hear about David Hume, Adam Smith, Walter Scott, and James Hutton, all giants of Europe’s Enlightenment Movement, a period of intellectual fervour in the 1700s. You’ll discover how Edinburgh broke free of traditional thinking and flourished as a centre for new ideas in Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Geology, Philosophy, Education and the Arts. You’ll also hear how this put the city on the intellectual map, with its thinkers and inventors influencing the world.
Inclusions
What's included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphones and headphones (please bring your own)
- Entrance fees
Itinerary
Begin your tour at St Giles' Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture and a pivotal site in Edinburgh's religious history. It's the perfect starting point to delve into the city's past.
Walk along the Royal Mile, the historic heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This iconic street is lined with landmarks, shops, and cafes, offering a vibrant glimpse into the city's medieval life.
Visit the statue of Adam Smith, the father of modern economics. Learn about his revolutionary ideas that shaped economic theory and his influence on the Enlightenment.
Discover the fascinating Surgeons' Hall Museums, which showcase the history of medical advancements in Edinburgh. Built on the proceeds of criminal activity, these museums reveal a darker side of the city's past.
Step into the Old Quad at the University of Edinburgh. This historic site played a significant role in promoting specialized expertise in various academic fields during the Enlightenment.
Stroll through Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful public park that offers a serene escape and picturesque views of the surrounding architecture. This is also a great spot to learn about the city's green spaces and their history.
Admire the Scott Monument, a towering tribute to Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most famous literary figures. Hear about his contributions to literature and his lasting legacy.
Relax in St. Andrew Square Garden, a lovely green space in the heart of the New Town. This garden is surrounded by impressive Georgian architecture and statues of notable figures.
See the statue of James Clerk Maxwell, a pioneering physicist whose work on electromagnetism laid the foundation for modern physics.
End your tour at Charlotte Square Private Garden, a beautiful Georgian square designed by Robert Adam. This serene spot exemplifies the elegance and architectural innovation of the New Town.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
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Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- The tour begins on the cobbles outside the main door of St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Edinburgh
- Its from-price is 94% below the median of the 1253 experiences we list in Edinburgh.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 722 of 1253.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, rises on volcanic hills, with a castle on a crag, a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town.
Edinburgh Castle crowns Castle Rock and keeps the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels. From there, the Royal Mile runs downhill through the Old Town, past St Giles' Cathedral and a warren of narrow closes, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano, rises above the palace with sweeping views.
Top-ranked sights in Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh Castle.
Special offers in Edinburgh
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
