Join us on a tour of Edinburgh, one of the world’s most beautiful capital cities. You will be taken through Princes St Gardens, which boasts the beautiful Ross Fountain & Scott Monument, before heading into the Old Town to see the most famous sites, then finishing on Calton Hill. Guided by one of our fantastic Activity Leaders, the students will get a great sense of the City and learn about the history of Edinburgh
00:00 – Depart CES Edinburgh, your guide will give you a brief introduction to the tour
00:20 – Arrive at Princes St Gardens
00:40 – Walk up the Mound, visiting New College on the way
1:00 – Arrive at the Royal Mile, visit the Castle Esplanade
1:20 – Walk through Victoria Street to Grassmarket
1:30 – Walk up the Vennel, stop for a picture with a view of the Castle
1:40 – Arrive at Greyfriars Kirkyard , stop here to explore
1:50 – Walk to St Giles' Cathedral, brief stop here
2:00- Walk down Cockburn Street to Scott Monument
2:30- Finish the tour at Calton Hill
Princes St Gardens is the heart of Edinburgh's high street. Once a loch, it was drained in the 1800s as the New Town was being created. Now, it can be enjoyed as a beautiful garden with an impressive backdrop of the Castle, and boasts remarkable structures such as Ross Fountain.
This impressive neo-gothic courtyard is a great showcase of Edinburgh's history. Originally opened as part of the Free Church of Scotland, it now houses Edinburgh University's School of Divinity.
The city's most famous landmark, Edinburgh Castle sits on the top of the Royal Mile. The monument has been attacked over 26 times, and has been the home of many English and Scottish monarchs. Today, it is Scotland's most visited attraction.
Victoria Street is one of Edinburgh's most famous sites, featuring a winding street of vibrant shop fronts. These lead to Grassmarket, a bustling area home to many bars and restaurants. It is also an area of historic significance, being the site of many public executions.
Greyfriars Kirkyard, named after the story of Greyfriars Bobby, is a 1500s burial ground. Inside the graveyard, you can see part of the Flodden Wall, the old town defenses. You can also find graves with the names of some Harry Potter characters, as the site is believed to have inspired J.K. Rowling.
St Giles is perhaps one of the most important of Scotland's many Cathedrals. It served as the church for John Knox, a key figure in the Scottish reformation period.
This impressive monument is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, one of Edinburgh's most famous writers. Edinburgh is often called the 'City of Literature' due to its rich literary past, and Scott Monument is a celebration of this.
This is the last stop on the tour, and you are able to look out onto Edinburgh's iconic skyline with a bit more knowledge of the city and its history. Calton Hill itself is home to a number of impressive monuments.