Private Edinburgh Shore Excursion -

The City of Edinburgh

View of Edinburgh Castle towering above the historic Grassmarket, with traditional stone buildings, shops and visitors in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland.

Private Excursion - Exclusively for Your Group

Explore Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's iconic fortress, with admission included

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Discover Edinburgh's historic Old Town with your own dedicated walking guide

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Private Vehicle and Driver-Guide

Port Pick-Up and Return Included

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All excursions backed by our Shore Excursion Guarantee

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Excursion Itinerary

Discover Scotland's captivating capital on this private Edinburgh shore excursion, available from South Queensferry, Newhaven, Leith and Rosyth cruise ports. With your own private vehicle, experienced driver-guide and dedicated local walking guide, enjoy a memorable day exploring Edinburgh's historic streets, fascinating stories and iconic landmarks. Your excursion includes convenient port pick-up and return, along with our trusted Shore Excursion Guarantee for added peace of mind.

Your day begins with a scenic drive through Edinburgh's elegant New Town, part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned for its beautiful Georgian architecture. We'll then make our way towards Holyrood Palace, where you'll meet your dedicated local guide for a two-hour guided walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town.

Discover the historic Royal Mile, wander through atmospheric closes and explore some of Edinburgh's most recognisable locations, including Victoria Street, the Grassmarket and the Vennel Steps. Along the way, your walking guide will bring the city's history to life with stories of royal intrigue, medieval Edinburgh and the colourful characters who shaped Scotland's capital. Please note that Edinburgh's Old Town is hilly, with cobbled streets and uneven surfaces, so comfortable footwear and a moderate level of mobility are recommended.

Following your walking tour, your guide will escort you to Edinburgh Castle, where admission is included. Enjoy time to explore this magnificent fortress independently, discovering highlights such as the Scottish Crown Jewels, St Margaret's Chapel and the Great Hall. For lunch, we recommend the castle's Redcoat Café, as it fits conveniently into the day's itinerary without taking valuable time away from sightseeing. It's also a lovely spot to relax and enjoy spectacular views across Edinburgh's skyline.

After your castle visit, your private driver-guide will collect you from the agreed meeting point for a comfortable return journey to your Edinburgh cruise port, ensuring you arrive back in plenty of time for your ship's departure.

As this is a private excursion, there's flexibility built into your day. While our suggested itinerary offers a wonderful introduction to Edinburgh, you may prefer more free time to explore the city independently, browse the shops or visit somewhere of particular interest. We can look at shortening the guided walking tour, adjusting the time allocated to Edinburgh Castle or rearranging parts of the day to better suit your preferences. Simply let us know what you'd like to prioritise when making your enquiry, and we'll do our best to accommodate your wishes, subject to guide availability, attraction arrangements and ensuring a timely return to your ship.

  • For any shore excursion in Scotland, preparation is key to enjoying your adventure comfortably. Our weather is famously changeable, so checking the forecast and dressing in layers is essential:

    • Light base layer

    • Sweater or fleece

    • Waterproof jacket

    Comfortable shoes are also a must, as many destinations feature cobbled streets, rugged trails, or castle grounds that require footwear capable of handling different types of uneven surface.

    While many places accept cards, having a bit of cash on hand can be helpful.

    A small backpack is useful for carrying essentials like snacks, extra clothing, and any souvenirs you may pick up along the way.

    Finally, don’t forget to bring a camera or smartphone to capture all those sights on your excursion with us!

Important Information

  • Private excursion: Your vehicle and driver-guide are exclusively for your group.

  • Port pick-up and drop-off: Included from South Queensferry, Newhaven, Leith or Rosyth cruise ports.

  • Excursion length: Approximately 7.5 hours, including time for lunch. Timings may vary depending on your cruise port and ship's schedule.

  • Activity level: Moderate. Edinburgh's Old Town is hilly, with cobbled streets, uneven surfaces and some steps. Comfortable, supportive footwear is recommended.

  • Maximum group size: 16 passengers.

  • Driver-guide: An experienced driver-guide will accompany you throughout your private excursion.

  • Guided walking tour: A dedicated local walking guide is included for approximately 2 hours, exploring Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

  • Edinburgh Castle: Admission is included, allowing you to explore the castle independently at your own pace.

  • Lunch: We recommend the Redcoat Café within Edinburgh Castle, as it fits conveniently into the itinerary and offers wonderful views across the city. Food and drinks are not included in the excursion price.

  • Children: Children are welcome. Please provide their ages when booking so suitable child or booster seats can be arranged where required.

  • Accessibility: Edinburgh's Old Town involves hills, cobbled streets and uneven surfaces, while Edinburgh Castle also has steep pathways. We can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs or mobility aids in the vehicle, provided guests can board and exit independently. Please contact us before booking if you have specific accessibility requirements.

Enquire About This Private Excursion

Interested in exploring Scotland's historic capital on a private Edinburgh shore excursion? Complete the form below with your cruise details, arrival port, group size and any particular interests or requests. Whether you'd prefer a guided introduction to Edinburgh's Old Town, a visit to Edinburgh Castle or more free time to explore independently, we'll check availability and help tailor the day to your preferences.

Indicative Private Excursion Pricing

Our private City of Edinburgh shore excursions are priced per group, giving you exclusive use of your vehicle and driver-guide for the day. Larger groups benefit from a lower equivalent cost per person.

All prices include a dedicated two-hour guided walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town and admission to Edinburgh Castle.

1–2 guests: From £1,145 per group
3–4 guests: From £1,220 per group
5–6 guests: From £1,345 per group
7–8 guests: From £1,585 per group
9–10 guests: From £2,050 per group
11–12 guests: From £2,120 per group
13–16 guests: From £2,440 per group

Prices are indicative and subject to availability, your cruise port and final excursion arrangements. The cost of lunch and personal expenses is not included.

Excursion Highlights

  • Historic gatehouse of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, reflected in the water outside the palace grounds.

    Palace of Holyroodhouse

  • Visitors exploring Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, with traditional Scottish stone buildings, shops and a red telephone box in the Old Town.

    The Old Town

  • Colourful shopfronts and historic stone buildings lining the cobbled Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, with visitors exploring the famous curved street.

    Victoria Street

  • Visitors approaching the main entrance of Edinburgh Castle, with its imposing medieval stone walls and historic fortress overlooking Scotland's capital.

    Edinburgh Castle