Curious Tales of the Royal Mile – Private Walking Tour

Edinburgh has stories you will not believe. On this private Curious Tales of the Royal Mile walk, Dr Moray Grigor turns Old Town history into real people doing strange things, with tales linked to Robert Chambers and collections going back to 1824.

I especially like the way you get off the main Royal Mile and into alleyways and back courts, so the city feels lived-in, not just staged.

One caution: it is an outdoor 4 to 5 hour walk, and Edinburgh weather can be cranky, so bring layers and expect some uneven ground for a good chunk of the day.

Key things to know before you go

• Dr Moray Grigor as your guide: a true Edinburgh native who tells stories with humor and local confidence.
• Hidden closes and back courts: you see the Old Town’s in-between spaces, not just the headline sights.
• A story style built on odd true events: arrests, arguments, and surprises like a pet blackbird in 1736.
• Stop-by-stop pacing: short pauses at major points, plus longer story time on the Royal Mile.
• Works well for families: Moray is reported to adjust pacing and keep kids engaged.
• Most listed stops are entry-free: the tour is set up so you are not constantly paying admissions as you go.

Old Edinburgh, told like it’s happening in front of you

Edinburgh can look tidy from far away, like a postcard you could frame. This tour is not about neat. It is about the messy, human side of the Old Town, the kind of history that sounds like a rumor until your guide puts it in context. You will hear why a washerwoman demanded something before philosopher David Hume could be hauled from a swamp, and how a pet blackbird ended up in trouble in 1736.

What I like most is that the stories are not floating in the air. They are anchored to specific corners of the city, starting near the Castle and working down the Royal Mile. You end up seeing the street layout differently, because Moray’s commentary keeps pointing out the “how did this happen here?” logic of daily life in centuries past.

Meet Moray Grigor, the “doctor who collects stories” approach

Moray Grigor is not a scripted performer reading facts off a card. He comes across as a friendly host who happens to know the city extremely well, and he uses that knowledge to make the details stick. In one family group, he was described as an excellent host who moved at the kids’ pace while still packing in real information.

You can feel the care in the way he connects people to places. The tour leans into collected anecdotes, including material gathered by Edinburgh publisher and author Robert Chambers as far back as 1824. That matters because it turns “Old Edinburgh” into a living record, not just a modern tourist loop.

Also, this is a private tour, so your group is not stuck at someone else’s speed. If your kids need a breather or your group wants an extra minute to look at a close mouth before moving on, you should be able to do that.

Starting at Castlehill and finishing near Canongate Kirk

The walk begins at Castlehill in central Edinburgh, EH1, right in the gravity zone of the Castle area. From there, you head down toward the lower Royal Mile and eventually end near Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh EH8.

That start-to-finish flow is practical. You get the Castle-side atmosphere early, when the streets can feel especially dramatic, then you gradually slide downhill into the Royal Mile’s busy story engine. Ending near Canongate Kirk makes sense because it keeps you close to where you can grab a meal or hop on public transportation afterward.

The tour runs in a daytime window, with the listed meeting area showing hours from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and you use a mobile ticket. Also note the tour is guided outdoors, so your timing will be your weather plan.

The first stop: Castello di Edimburgo area tales (Bonnie Dundee, Allan Ramsay, water woes)

You kick things off at the Castle area, where the stories lean bold and cinematic. Expect anecdotes tied to Bonnie Dundee’s escape from Edinburgh, Allan Ramsay’s court appeal, and even gang fights and water problems.

This is a smart opener. The Castle zone is where Edinburgh’s power and tension feel most concentrated, even before you learn specific storylines. Starting here also helps you understand the rest of the route, because the Old Town’s streets, closes, and “back entrances” all make more sense when you know what was at stake above them.

A practical upside: the Castle-area stop is listed as free admission ticket on the tour format. So you are paying for the guide, the pacing, and the storytelling, not for a pile of add-on entry fees.

Moving into the Old Town story engine: rebellious pets, fake news, and philosopher-chefs

After the Castle-side warmup, you continue along the Royal Mile corridor, where the tour shifts into “everyday Edinburgh” mode. This is where the cast changes fast. You might hear about rebellious pets, political couples at loggerheads, and two-faced businessmen.

And then it turns a bit sideways in the best way. There are stories of philosopher-chefs and fake news, which sounds like a modern joke until you realize people have always used the same tactics, just with different costumes. That is the real value of this section: it shows how arguments, propaganda, and power plays were built into the city long before the internet.

Because you are walking, the story hits you in layers. You look at a street, then you hear how it functioned socially. You notice a bend or a narrow cut, then you hear why that matters for getting around and avoiding trouble.

Advocate’s Close: short stop, big attitude (lame gang-fighting would-be authors and mischievous girls)

One of the most charming parts is how quickly the tour can change scenery. At Advocate’s Close, you get a compact dose of characters and conflict, with tales of lame, gangfighting would-be authors, astounded judges, and very mischievous little girls.

Even if the story itself sounds improbable, the takeaway feels real. Closes like this were places where behavior could be private, but reputation could still travel fast. That is why this stop works so well during the overall walk. You get variety without losing momentum.

The time here is short, about 10 minutes, which is useful on a longer 4 to 5 hour day. It keeps the tour from dragging, while still giving you one of the “I did not know Edinburgh had places like this” moments.

St Giles’ Cathedral: kings in debt, silver spoons, thrown prayer-stools, and a preacher’s resting place

St Giles’ Cathedral is another anchor point in the route, and the stories tied to it feel like social commentary with costumes. You will hear about kings in debt, romantic silver spoons, church prayer-stools being thrown, and an unusual resting place for one of the most famous preachers.

What I like about this stop is that it refuses to treat religious spaces as only solemn. The stories make it clear that these places were social hubs where people cared about money, status, romance, and conflict. You end up thinking differently about what public buildings meant to ordinary life.

As with other major points on the route, the cathedral stop is presented as free admission ticket within this tour style, so you can focus on the guide’s explanation rather than budgeting time and money for entry lines.

Down the Royal Mile: theatre riots, raving beauties, and rebellion on full display

If there is one stretch that feels like the tour’s main stage, it is the long Royal Mile segment, about an hour of focus. This is where the anecdotes get theatrical. You might hear about theatre riots, dull dances, raving beauties, and novel financial products.

Then comes the part that makes the Royal Mile feel less like a straight line and more like a pressure cooker. The tour includes full-scale rebellion stories, which gives you a sense that the street you walk today used to be a place where people tested boundaries.

This is also where you should slow down and pay attention to the physical space. The Royal Mile is famous, but your guide helps you see it as a system of movement, visibility, and opportunity. That is why the hour here matters. It is not just “more walking,” it is the tour letting you connect plot points to the city layout.

Canongate Kirk: poets, royal favorites, eccentric economists, and a possible Rizzio stop

The final stop lands at Canongate Kirk, about 25 minutes of story time. Here the tone shifts toward politics and culture, with tales of vicious poets, tragic royal favorites, and eccentric economists. You are basically being shown that Edinburgh’s drama was not only about battles and courts, it was also about ideas, money talk, and the cost of fame.

One extra detail that stands out from the guide’s own follow-up message: Moray mentioned that he had not taken Carole to Rizzio’s grave by the Canongate Kirk, just opposite a cafe. That tells me two things. One, this area has more story hooks right nearby than you can fit into a tight route. Two, if you care about adding one more human-scale stop at the end, it is worth asking Moray if you can fit it in during your walk.

Price and value for a $130.75 private walking tour

At $130.75 per person, this is not a budget stroll. The value comes from three places.

First, it is private, meaning your group gets the full attention of a single guide rather than sharing commentary with strangers. That matters a lot for story-based tours, because you can ask questions and keep the pace aligned with your day.

Second, the tour is built around a coherent route with major story stops that are listed as admission ticket free. You are paying for the guiding and the walking plan, not for a chain of paid entrances.

Third, the guide’s style is practical. Moray is reported to be accommodating with children, which means the tour is not only for adults who like history lectures. If your family wants stories without feeling dragged, this can be a good fit.

The main “value consideration” is group math and weather. If you are traveling solo, you might feel the price more. If you are traveling with a small group, the experience becomes easier to justify. And because it is outdoors, you should book it when you have enough flexibility to handle a possible weather adjustment.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great choice if you enjoy quirky history that still teaches you something about how people lived. You do not need to be a hardcore historian. If you like human stories about power, gossip, religion, and street-level trouble, you will get a lot out of Moray’s approach.

I would especially consider it if:

• You want Old Town context without doing a self-guided scavenger hunt.
• Your group includes kids, and you want a guide who can keep the pace humane.
• You already know the big-name sights, and you want closes and back courts to do the heavy lifting.

If you dislike walking for several hours or you hate being outside in changeable weather, you might prefer a museum-heavy plan instead.

Should you book this private Curious Tales of the Royal Mile tour?

I think it is worth booking if your idea of a good Edinburgh day includes small streets, strange stories, and a guide who treats the Old Town like a neighborhood with personalities. The biggest plus is that Moray Grigor makes the city feel like it has a memory, built from odd incidents like the pet blackbird arrest and the washerwoman demand before David Hume’s rescue.

If you are price-sensitive or you only want mainstream landmarks with minimal walking, you may feel less satisfied. But if you want an entertaining, character-driven way to understand Edinburgh’s Old Town layout and human history, this private walk is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the Curious Tales of the Royal Mile tour?

It runs about 4 to 5 hours.

Where do you meet and where does the tour end?

You start at Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1, and end at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh EH8.

Is this tour private or shared with other groups?

It is private. Only your group participates.

What is included in the tour price, and are admissions included?

The price includes all guiding and commentary on the outdoor walking tour. The stops on the route are listed with admission ticket free.

Is coffee or tea included?

No. Coffee and/or tea are not included. There is an optional refreshment stop, but food and drinks are not included.

What if the weather is bad, or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.