Walk from castle ramparts to royal palace ruins, through kirkyards and closes, on a self-guided audio tour of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with GPS and insider stories.
Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Mile from castle to palace, where kirks, closes, and kirkyards reveal centuries of faith, politics, and legend. This route blends fortress battlements, crown spires, and ruined abbeys with stories of queens, reformers, poets, and loyal dogs. With narration, GPS guidance, and local tips, the walk opens doors to history and lore at every turn.
Highlights
Edinburgh Castle — fortress on volcanic rock; discover centuries of sieges, crown jewels, and the daily One O’Clock Gun.
St Margaret’s Chapel — Edinburgh’s oldest building; hear why King David I built it to honor his saintly mother.
Great Hall — medieval timber roof and royal banquets; learn how it later became barracks and hospital wards.
Scottish National War Memorial — 1920s shrine of stone and stained glass; see how Scotland remembers its fallen.
St Giles’ Cathedral — High Kirk with crown spire; discover its role in the Reformation and civic life on the Mile.
Thistle Chapel — jewel-like hall for Scotland’s knights; find carvings of saints, beasts, and thistles in every corner.
Greyfriars Kirk — 17th-century parish tied to the Covenant; learn how faith, politics, and music still shape its story.
Greyfriars Kirkyard — graves of poets, martyrs, and legends; hear tales of Covenanters, carved symbols, and ghostly lore.
Canongate Kirk — parish of poets and economists; see Adam Smith’s grave and a royal church still active today.
Holyrood Abbey — romantic ruin beside the palace; discover royal burials, legends, and storm damage that ended its roof.
Palace of Holyroodhouse — monarch’s Edinburgh residence; step into Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers and courtly drama.
John Knox House — timber-galleried merchant home; unravel the legends of the fiery preacher said to have lived here.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Tour area: Edinburgh – Royal Mile, Castles & Kirkyards
Distance: ~2.4 miles (3.9 km) • Time: 2.5 hours • Stops: 12+ • Terrain: Slopes, cobblestones, castle steps, historic closes
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone. On the map, tap the compass to center on your current location (one-time locate). If you’d like the map center to follow you as you walk, turn on GPS Auto-Location in Settings (optional). Now knowing where YOU are, visit any stop you like, in any order, at any pace — you’re in complete control.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
