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Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Grand Historic & Literary Tour: Book Now!
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Overview
Grand Historic and Literary Tour of Edinburgh explores the city's rich past and literary connections. This tour takes visitors on a journey through Edinburgh, a UNESCO City of Literature, exploring its history and famous books, from Sherlock Holmes to Harry Potter.
On this tour, visitors will see Edinburgh from the sea to the hills. Stops include Burns Monument, The Balmoral Hotel, and the Scott Monument. The tour goes through St Andrew Square, George Street, Hanover Street, The Mound, and Old Town. Visitors will also see Edinburgh Medical School, East Fountainbridge, Old Calton Cemetery, Charlotte Square, Queen Street, Newhaven, Leith, Portobello, and Holyrood Park.
Visitors will also visit The Pleasance, The Meadows, Merchiston, Craiglockhart Hydropathic (Happy Valley), Morningside, Bruntsfield, Lauriston Place, Grassmarket, Canongate, the Scottish Parliament, and Holyrood Palace. This coach tour, led by Edinburgh native Dr. Moray Grigor of 7 Hills Tours, offers historical and literary insights. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle but does not include coffee or tea. There will be chocolate prizes on offer for correct answers to history and literature quiz questions! 
Highlights
Discover Edinburgh's Literary Side: Explore the city's connections to famous books and authors.
See Key Historical Sites: Visit important landmarks and learn about Edinburgh's past.
Enjoy a Comfortable Coach Tour: Travel around the city in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Win Prizes with Fun Quizzes: Test your knowledge of history and literature for a chance to win chocolate.
Sentiment Analysis
Most customers enjoyed the comprehensive tour of Edinburgh's history and literature, praising the guide's knowledge and engaging presentation. Some felt the tour was lengthy and wanted more time at certain locations.
Customers loved the tour guide's knowledge and enthusiasm.
Many visitors found the tour informative and engaging.
Several reviewers appreciated the comprehensive overview of Edinburgh's history and literature.
Customers highlighted the guide’s storytelling and passion
A few visitors felt the tour was too long.
Some customers would have liked more time at specific stops.
The Journey
Burns Monument
Begin your Edinburgh adventure at the Burns Monument, a striking ancient Greek temple dedicated to Scotland's beloved national poet, Robert Burns. This iconic memorial serves as a fitting starting point to delve into the literary and cultural heart of the city, honoring the Bard's enduring legacy.
The Balmoral Hotel
Experience the grandeur of The Balmoral Hotel, a landmark Edinburgh institution renowned for its distinctive clock perpetually running three minutes fast, a quirky tradition designed to aid railway passengers in catching their trains. Beyond its functional charm, The Balmoral holds literary significance as the place where J.K. Rowling completed the 'Harry Potter' saga, adding a touch of magic to its already illustrious history.
Scott Monument
Marvel at the Scott Monument, the world's largest tribute to a writer, dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the 'Man who invented Scotland.' This towering Gothic structure celebrates the life and works of the superstar romantic author, inviting you to reflect on his profound impact on Scottish literature and national identity.
St Andrew Square
Discover the grandeur of St Andrew Square, an exquisite 18th-century square that forms one of the focal points of Edinburgh's 'New Town.' Admire the statue of Henry Dundas, the 'uncrowned king of Scotland,' perched atop a towering column, symbolizing the square's historical importance and architectural elegance.
George Street & Hanover Street
Stroll along the upscale George Street, where you'll encounter the story of a young man who found literary fame in Canada. Pass by the site of the Disruption of 1843, a pivotal schism in Scottish religious history. Turning onto Hanover Street, discover the Royal Society of Edinburgh, where James Hutton presented his groundbreaking paper on the age of the earth, and visit Milne's Bar, a legendary haunt for 1950s poets.
The Mound & Old Town
Ascend The Mound, bridging the New and Old Towns, and immerse yourself in tales of Edinburgh's most notorious criminal and its greatest philosopher. See the cafe where Harry Potter was 'born' and the site where the disastrous Darien Scheme was hatched in the 1690s, a testament to the city's rich and sometimes turbulent past.
Edinburgh Medical School & East Fountainbridge
Pass by Edinburgh's world-renowned Medical School, and hear tales of famous alumni who excelled both inside and outside of medicine. Next, see George Heriot's School, the inspiration for Hogwarts, and the site of Scotland's first hot air balloon flight! Passing into East Fountainbridge, hear the story of a nightclub bouncer who thwarted a gang attack and later achieved global fame.
Old Calton Cemetery
Discover the serene yet intriguing Old Calton Cemetery, where you'll hear tales of a world-famous author's secret wedding and uncover the need for security towers in old Edinburgh's graveyards. Plus, listen to a story of a courageous young nightclub bouncer foiling an attack - and later rising to global fame!
Charlotte Square
Explore Charlotte Square, St Andrew's Square's twin, where you'll encounter the story of a little boy with a VERY big future and his unusual birthday present. Also, uncover the pub haunt of Edinburgh's top contemporary crime writer, adding a modern twist to the historical landscape.
Queen Street
Continue into Queen Street to learn about another little boy destined for literary greatness, pass the house where a historic medical discovery was made, and discover the site of perhaps the most 'steam-punk' attraction ever conceived. Prepare to be amazed by the blend of innovation and history.
Newhaven
Head north to Newhaven, passing through areas filled with tales of greyhounds, speedway riders, and the city's greatest tragedy. Reach the charming fishing port, birthplace of a warship that was once the world's largest, and breathe in the salty air of the Firth of Forth.
Leith
Explore Leith, where stories of whisky, red wine, Oliver Cromwell, Rabbie Burns, a cannibal family, and a young queen's return to Scotland intertwine. Discover one of the world's first golf courses and the tale of John Rattray, the first Open Champion, a surgeon nearly killed by his trade but saved by his passion.
Portobello
Head east and stop for a refreshment break, hearing of the world's greatest assembly of warships. Solve the mystery of which navy menaced Edinburgh in 1779. Meet two of the 20th century stage, one born in Edinburgh, one who died here, and discover Edinburgh's greatest culinary secret!
Holyrood Park
Return to the city and cross Holyrood Park, the site of the Royal Palace and historic Abbey, and the encampment for Bonnie Prince Charlie's Highland army of 1745. Pass by the first of two girls' schools that became world-famous in fiction, connecting history with literary inspiration.
The Pleasance
Cross the street which becomes The Pleasance, and experience historic Jewish Edinburgh. See a famous architect's first Edinburgh project. And also, hear the tale of when Scott met Burns for the one and only time!
The Meadows
Cross this beautiful green space, and hear stories of its history as a loch, its present as a student playground, and of the great 18th century intellectuals who lived and walked in the area.
Merchiston
Head towards upscale Merchiston, and be surprised by a very famous American visitor of the 1840's. Discover Edinburgh's industrial firsts, and also pass close to the estate of Scotland's greatest mathematician and the home street of J.K. Rowling.
Craiglockhart Hydropathic (Happy Valley)
Pass through 'Happy Valley', where Great War poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon met in 1917 during their recovery at the pioneering military psychiatric hospital founded in a converted hotel. Discover the healing power of literature and camaraderie in the face of adversity.
Morningside
Make your way cross-town and pass by the lodgings of a pre-WW1 German naval spy, and along the home street of Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved nanny, Alison Cunningham. Discover what happened when rich and poor lived as near neighbors in the legendary suburb of Morningside, alongside tales of riots, wars against the English, and Oscar Wilde.
Bruntsfield
Return towards downtown Edinburgh, and encounter a young Sunday school teacher who achieved sporting immortality in a life tragically cut short, before reaching literary Bruntsfield and the second former girls' school on the tour, the school that inspired the great Edinburgh novel, 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'.
Lauriston Place
Here, see Edinburgh's former maternity hospital, the first to be purpose-built in the city; birthplace of a world-famous actor and site of the UK's first ante-natal clinic. Just across the road, pass the historic fire station, HQ for what was the world's first municipal Fire Service!
Grassmarket
Here in the capital's unofficial town square, hear tales of some of Edinburgh's most notorious crimes and an unexpectedly explosive event late one night. Not to mention, find out what Edinburgh lads of the 1600s did for their Saturday entertainment!
Canongate
Travel the length of the 'poor relation' of the Royal Mile, meeting revolutionaries and poets, and seeing the building which houses the only surviving pre-reformation stained glass in the whole of Edinburgh - bearing the coat of arms of a very important lady in our history!
Scottish Parliament & Holyrood Palace
Nearing the completion of the tour, pass by the famous but initially controversial modern home of the reconstituted Scottish Parliament, opposite Edinburgh's own royal palace - Holyrood. Reflect on the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in Scotland's political landscape.
Know Before You Go
This tour includes travel in an air-conditioned vehicle for your comfort. Please note that coffee and tea are not included. The meeting point and drop-off locations will be confirmed upon booking.
Hot Tip
Many people have noted that the tour is long, so make sure you bring snacks and water to keep you satisfied during the tour. It is recommended to dress in layers to adjust to Edinburgh's changing weather, and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Be ready to engage with the guide and participate in the quizzes for a more interactive experience.
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