Bonnie Prince Charlie_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Bonnie Prince Charlie's
Edinburgh

Follow in the footsteps of Jacobites and Hanoverians in this exploration of one of the most exciting times in Edinburgh's history!

5 star rated on Tripadvisor

Your private tour of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Edinburgh

Step back in time to Edinburgh as it was in the late summer of 1745. Robert, our award-winning Edinburgh tour guide, will take you around the Edinburgh Old Town locations, which played a role in one of the most exciting times in Edinburgh's history.

You'll walk in the footsteps of Prince Charles Edward Stewart and his Highland Army.

Throughout this specialist tour of Edinburgh, you'll learn about what Edinburgh's people thought and did during this period of civil war. You'll find out how the supporters of both sides acted within the city before, during, and after the capturing the city by the Jacobite army.

Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of the men and women, soldiers and civilians, princes and politicians who helped shape Scotland's history? Come with us as we explore Bonnie Prince Charlie's Edinburgh.

Information;

Two-hour long walking tour.

English language.

Accessibility information;

Some quite steep gradients. One set of steps. Cobbled/uneven paving.

This tour has a Viator
Badge of Excellence

Book this tour

Cost;

£70 total price for a private tour for 1-4 people.

£90 for a private tour for 5-8 people.

Evening tours are £80 and £100.

If you have a larger group, or an evening tour, please contact us to discuss your requirements. You can email us here.

These prices are the total cost of the tour, they are not 'per person'. Yes, you really will get a private tour for your group for either £70 or £90!

tripadvisor 2020_edited_edited_edited.pn

Some of the stories you'll hear and the sights you'll see...

Attacking Edinburgh - the Flodden Wall

Your tour of Edinburgh as it was in 1745 will take you to one of the best preserved sections of the city's defensive wall, the Flodden Wall. We'll look at how the city had prepared its defences and we'll discuss the options which Charlie had available to him.

Sneakily does it - the Netherbow Port

The 'attack' on Edinburgh is one of our favourite stories. You'll walk in the footsteps of one the Jacobite detachment which was sent out to take Edinburgh for Prince Charles. It might not be quite the story you expect!

Off the beaten path

We will take you into more than one of the famous closes, courts and wynds which come off from the Royal Mile. In this little courtyard you will learn about the Battle of Prestonpans and we'll maybe even take a look at how surgeons of the time operated on the injured soldiers.

The long-lost Guardhouse

All of our Edinburgh tours make use of our extensive archive to help you imagine long-lost buildings. You'll be able to search for evidence for the site of the old Guardhouse and we'll tell you why this was an important place in Edinburgh. We'll also take you into Fleshmarket Close and we'll explain why a very threatening meeting took place here...with nearly comical results!

The famous heroine - Flora MacDonald

Learn about Flora MacDonald on this tour of Edinburgh

Flora MacDonald is one of the many women who you will learn about on this tour. You'll see where she went to school and you'll find out her very simple reason for helping Prince Charlie escape from the island of Skye.

Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Mercat Cross

The Mercat Cross - an important place on your Jacobite Edinburgh tour

There are two very important stories linked to the site of the original Mercat Cross. We'll show you the Cross today AND the original site. You'll stand right at site one of the most significant 'high points' for the Jacobite Army, and also one of the lowest moments of the entire '45 Rebellion. Both of these are truly special Edinburgh stories...

These are just a few of the stories we tell on this Edinburgh walking tour. Because you have booked a private tour, your guide will have some scope to tailor your walk to the things which most interest you. Whilst we know there will be more stories to tell than the ones we've highlighted above, your own tour may 'chop and change' stories and places to suit your own requirements and interests. Robert, our local guide, can discuss these with you at the start of your private tour. Fully bespoke private Edinburgh tours are also offered. Email us to discuss your requirements.

Email an enquiry

Book this tour

Some recent reviews for Historic Edinburgh Tours

Wonderful time!

Robert was great and so informative and entertaining. We even did the royal Mile tour as well! There is so much history in this small area and Robert had so much to offer. How he remembers all these details is a marvel.

Tripadvisor review by by Evelynjohnjo

December 2021

Best walking tour I’ve ever taken.

This tour was AMAZING. Robert was fantastic and informative. The tour is so well planned out and organized, but somehow he built in enough flexibility to easily tailor aspects of the tour to the topics we were most interested in. I can’t imagine a better tour for anyone interested in experiencing this historic area.

Tripadvisor review by E1547RFjime

November 23, 2021

Your meeting place

13731568_1213695808661193_2705958100235112183_n_edited_edited.jpg

Your guide will meet you near to this gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard. This sits just inside the main gateway to Greyfriars Kirkyard, next to Greyfriars Bobby's Bar at the top of Candlemaker Row.

Google Maps can't show the exact location, but the approximate one is shown here.

Book with confidence

Easily adapted for children

Your guide is a qualified primary school teacher and can give an appropriate tour which will interest children.

Friendly guide - in a kilt!

Robert was born in Edinburgh and has lived here all his life. He researched all our tours and has an extensive knowledge of Edinburgh and her history.

Convenience

Your tour is private. You can choose when it starts and we can make some alterations to the route if needed. You've got the freedom to ask all the questions you want!