Guards Patrol A 16th Century Journey Through Edinburgh

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Step into history as you descend Fleshmarket Close—a dramatically steep, cobbled medieval alleyway carved right into Edinburgh’s iconic "fishbone" skyline

   5 min

2. Walk down the High Street to the historic Netherbow Port to explore Edinburgh’s old guard patrol route, before returning to outside John Knox House to unpack the dramatic, fiery history of the Scottish Reformation

   20 min

3. Continuing up the cobbled High Street, we’ll reach the Heart of Midlothian—the historic site of the Old Tolbooth. Once the bustling epicenter of Edinburgh's civic life, this spot served as the headquarters for both the Town Guard and the city council.

   20 min

4. Next, we press farther uphill to Gladstone's Land, one of the finest surviving examples of a 16th-century high-rise on the Royal Mile. From the outside, we'll admire its historic façade and stone archways while uncovering how Edinburgh’s merchant class built straight upward to squeeze into the overcrowded city—and how the ever-present threat of fire made the Town Watch's rounds a matter of life and death.

   5 min

5. ext, we navigate the lively crowds down Victoria Street—Edinburgh’s famous curved, colorful thoroughfare. As we walk past its vibrant shopfronts and soaring stone arches, we'll admire its unique two-tiered architecture while taking in the energetic buzz of one of the Old Town's most iconic streets.

   Passes by

6. We'll double back at the fountain at the bottom of Victoria Street—a perfect, central spot to grab a quick breather or join us into Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh. From the outside paths of the kirk, we'll take in the atmospheric old graves and hear the stories tied to these ancient grounds.

   25 min

7. From the Grassmarket , we’ll climb the historic stone steps of the Vennel, walking directly alongside surviving sections of the 16th-century Flodden Wall—Edinburgh’s ancient defensive city line. At the top, we’ll stop at The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle for one of the most iconic, picture-perfect framing views of Edinburgh Castle towering above the city.

   15 min

8. We complete our patrol on the sweeping stone pavement of the Esplanade, standing in the shadow of the colossal fortress walls of Edinburgh Castle. This optional final stop gives us a moment to gaze up at the ancient ramparts, unpack a little of the castle's fiery history—from royal birthplace to Scotland's most besieged stronghold—and take in panoramic views stretching across the city before we part ways.

   Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Edinburgh

• Its from-price is 88% below the median of the 1253 experiences we list in Edinburgh.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• 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.

See all 1253 experiences in Edinburgh