Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour provided by SANDEMANs NEW Europe - Edinburgh
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Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour
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COVID-19 update: See the added health and safety measures this experience is taking.Read more
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Travel safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during this experience
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travellers and staff
Updated 15/07/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Skip-the-Line Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour
- Breaks will be shortended
- Guests are encouraged to bring own masks
- Guests will be required to provide personal details (name, phone)
- Smaller groups to ensure appropriate social distance
- Tour group picture will no longer be taken
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Updated 15/07/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
Overview
With an inordinate amount of historic attractions to go see, you won’t want to waste any time during your vacation in Edinburgh. Save hours of waiting with a skip-the-line admission ticket to Edinburgh Castle, one of the Scottish capital’s most recognizable monuments. On a guided tour, discover secret histories and hidden details that you’d otherwise miss as you watch your guide bring the fortress’ history to life.
Itinerary
- You'll start at130 High St130 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UKYour Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour starts in front of Frankie & Benny's on 130 High Street by Tron Kirk (Please do not go straight to the castle). Look for our staff with red jackets and red umbrellas branded with SANDEMANs logos.See address & details
- 1EdinburghSee details
- 2Royal MileStop: 15 minutesSee details
- 3National War Museum of ScotlandStop: 15 hours - Admission includedSee details
- 4St. Margaret's ChapelStop: 15 minutesSee details
- 5Edinburgh CastleStop: 45 minutesSee details
- You'll end atCastle TerraceCastle Terrace, Edinburgh, UKYour Edinburgh Castle Tour finishes inside the castle grounds.See address & details
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Highlights
- Save hours of waiting in line with skip-the-line entry to Edinburgh Castle
- Avoid the lines and head straight inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Learn more about the castle's history on a guided tour
- Spend free time exploring the castle independently once the tour concludes
What to Expect
Your tour of Edinburgh Castle begins at a central Edinburgh location, where you greet your guide and sail past long lines with a skip-the-line admission ticket. Having saved hours of waiting time, explore the grounds of the castle and visit curiosities such as the world’s smallest shrine and a cemetery reserved exclusively for dogs.
Stroll through Crown Square, see the crown jewels of Scotland, and enrich your knowledge of Scottish military history in the National War Museum. Once your tour concludes, feel free to continue exploring the castle independently at your own pace.
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Important Information
Departure Point
130 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
Duration
1h 30m
Return Details
Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, UK
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entrance to the Castle
- Local guide
- Entry/Admission - National War Museum of Scotland
Exclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
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Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please be aware that Edinburgh Castle stays open until 5pm and your Castle Ticket is only valid on the day of purchase.
- Children (4 or under) can join the Edinburgh Castle Tour for free. We reserve the right to ask for a valid ID for children joining our tours.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Our tour starts at 130 High Street, in front of Frankie and Benny's restaurant. We don't allow guests to join after the start time, and we don't allow guests to join the tour if they don't show up in our current start point at 130 High Street, in front of Frankie and Benny's restaurant.
- The independent guides who employ us to market their tours have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 1.5 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group
- No bags or backpacks over 30L are permitted for security reasons
- Unfortunately, the steep hills and uneven ground mean that this tour is not suitable for pushchairs or those unable to walk unassisted
- Most travellers can participate
- Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
1,112Review
40Q&A
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Popular mentions
I went on both the free walking tour and castle tour with Alistair who was an awesome guide, very knowledgable about the city and Scottish history, with lots of fun and intrigue along the way. Definitely recommend :)
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Date of experience: March 2020
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Australian Dave was our guide and he was great. Informative, entertaining, and thoughtful - you could not ask for better. While the guides are not allowed to "go in" to any of the rooms with you the tour beautifully sets up your experience so that you go in armed with the…
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Date of experience: March 2020
1 Helpful vote
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We took a tour with Sarah this morning and it was fantastic!! Sarah was enthusiastic, very knowledgeable, and funny. If anyone has a chance to take a tour with her, don’t hesitate!
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Date of experience: March 2020
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This tour is a must! You can visit the castle on your own but you won’t know what you are looking at or the history. Our tour guide was sooo good that people kept trying to join and listen in on our tour at the castle, she kept having to tell people that she was conducting a…
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1 Helpful vote
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
By: SANDEMANs NEW Europe - Edinburgh
Manit S
00No show tour guide
Nobody showed up. Tried calling and texting tour guide but no response. Was told to meet and jerrys but that shop d…
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Twoodzy1
00Dark side tour
Brilliant tour with plenty of giggles and very interesting gruesome facts along the way. Australian David was brill…
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paulajS3400LW
00The best experience for Harry Potter fans
It was an incredible experience and our tour guide, Australian Guy, couldn’t have been better. It is something you …
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juliecH2711LM
00Great night time walking tour
We visited over the October half term with my 13 year old son, who loves anything spooky and gruesome! The tour was…
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jakerO5310PP
00A really good night out
Very interesting and definitely worth the money with all the stories on the tour. Our guide Jen made it especially…
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Tina K
00Jen is awesome
We did the walking tour of the old town with Jen who is amazing. She is witty and knowledgeable and we really enjoy…
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Pcslater2016
00Book this tour!
David was an awesome and enthusiastic storyteller! Really interesting and insightful, absolutely loved it. Highly …
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TimH511
00Spooky!
Thank you Jule for a fun tour on a full moon halloween around Edinburgh. Informative, well paced and a great night …
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B9355OOnataliem
00Hallowe’en eve in Edinburgh
A fun night out with the family, walking in the city we have recently moved to. We really like stories and legends …
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Reluctantreviewer101
00This tour is excellent!
Loved the tour. Jen was a fantastic guide. Brilliant stories of Edinburgh told with excellent wit and style. Highly…
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ecologistontour
00Entertaining, interesting and factual
The guides were fabulous. Lots to learn about Edinburgh’s gorey history. Felt safe with the covid restrictions. Wou…
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stevoyeahh
00Excellent tour with Jen
Excellent tour with Jen. I went on the free walking tour (with donation of course). She’s a very knowledgable and e…
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jonvitalija
00Every Edinburgh visitor should do it
Took my boys to a tour as a surprise and it was worth it. The guide kept the group engaged. He answered all their q…
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Charlotte S
00Really interesting dark side tour, highly recommend!
Wicked tour with Jule! You really get a taste of the grim, darker side of Edinburgh. Very interesting facts but als…
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charliewQ4411BX
00Take the opportunity to go on this tour
Our tour guide, ‘Australian David’ was an absolute gem. Charismatic, funny and great with facts. Got me and partner…
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Key Details
- Duration: 1h 30m
- Mobile Ticket Accepted
- Free Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
- Instant Confirmation
- Languages Offered: English, German, Spanish
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