Scotland · PRIVATE

15 Private Tours from Edinburgh, Compared

35 tours  ·  from $46 a head

The 15 private tours below are the ones worth the money, each with its price, how long it runs and the people it suits best. Number one leads for a reason.

The Potter Trail Private Tour - The Elephant House: understand the asterisks
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The Potter Trail Private Tour

1.The Potter Trail Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,353 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $104Our pick

Follow a private, English-language walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, linking Greyfriars Kirkyard, Potterrow, the National Museum of Scotland, the Elephant House and Victoria Street with J.K. Rowling’s writing life and Harry Potter inspirations. Your guide can tailor the conversation to your interests. Bring a wand-shaped pen or umbrella for the spellcasting fun.

“Roisin was a really good guide. During An hour she showed us a lot of places in Edinburgh that were important to JK Rowling. It was very interesting.”

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Private Tour of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh - Rest and Be Thankful, then Inveraray
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Private Tour of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

2.Private Tour of the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 325 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Leave Edinburgh in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, bottled water and snacks. Stops include Highland cows, Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Kilchurn Castle, Glencoe’s Three Sisters and the Kelpies. Guides such as Jimmy, Taimur and Colin are praised for lively stories and flexible pacing. Castle entry and meals cost extra.

“Corrine was a really good guide and driver. She made sure we saw all the sights that we expected to see. I recommend her highly”

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Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour - The Old Town’s closes and wynds reward a guide
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Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

3.Guided Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 269 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend about three and a half hours exploring Edinburgh with a private guide such as Dr Alison Duncan, David Forsyth or Douglas Graham. Expect Old Town closes, Royal Mile stories and a castle view, with hotel pickup by request. You can tailor the walk, but check which full-day sights fit your booked duration.

“David was a wonderful guide and made the experience enjoyable for my family. We only had 2 days in Edinburgh so we needed to learn as much as possible. He was very personable and catered the tour to our interests. We loved it! He even recommended a place for lunch and delivered us as an end to the tour. Thank you David!!”

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Private Old Edinburgh Tour - Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues! - A street-level introduction to Old Edinburgh
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Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

4.Private Old Edinburgh Tour – Walk in the footsteps of Royals and Rogues!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Follow local guide Robert on a private two-hour walk through Old Edinburgh, from Greyfriars Kirkyard to the Royal Mile, Cowgate, and the university. Expect old-city photographs, stories of royals and rogues, a flexible pace, and stops that include former execution sites and the notorious Burke and Hare case.

“Great walk around the city. Our guide Robert started by asking about our visit and our interests and tailored our tour to match. He also accommodated our pace and told us great historical facts and stories.”

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Edinburgh Luxury Private Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours - The Old Town: stories behind the busy streets
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Edinburgh Luxury Private Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

5.Edinburgh Luxury Private Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $325

Eat Walk Tours takes your private group through Edinburgh’s West End, New Town, and Old Town, pairing a full meal’s worth of Scottish food with drinks for adults. Guides such as Tom, Wag, Julie, and Anastaziya mix local history with tastings, from haggis to whisky. Hotel pickup, a restaurant map, and discounts are included.

“The guide was knowledgeable, amiable and funny. Also he had earpieces so we could all hear him. The selection of foods and drinks was perfect.”

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Private 4 Hour Tour of Edinburgh in a Spacious 6-seater Mercedes - What the private van changes
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Private 4 Hour Tour of Edinburgh in a Spacious 6-seater Mercedes

6.Private 4 Hour Tour of Edinburgh in a Spacious 6-seater Mercedes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a private four-hour drive around Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town in a six-seat Mercedes, with a driver-guide, live commentary, and time to get out at selected sights. The route can include the Castle, Royal Mile, Dean Village, and city viewpoints. Guides named for this tour include Stephen, Andy, Alan, Mark, and Adam; the guide assigned to your date may differ.

“Andy gave us the perfect tour of Edinburgh, covering all of the highlights, but also sharing many of his personal favorite parts of the city along with wonderful anecdotes and other trivia tidbits. We brought along my mother-in-law and father-in-law who are both in their 80s. Andy handled the situation brilliantly, allowing my wife and I a chance to wander from the van at times while he entertained them with stories of life in Edinburgh. Andy is a gifted tour guide who knows how to make four hours fly by!”

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Private Airport transfer From or to Edinburgh airport (One way transfer) - What the vehicle and luggage allowance mean
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Private Airport transfer From or to Edinburgh airport (One way transfer)

7.Private Airport transfer From or to Edinburgh airport (One way transfer)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · 30 to 50 minutes (approx.) · from $45Best value

This one-way private transfer links Edinburgh Airport with your Edinburgh city-center hotel or apartment. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you with a name sign, and takes your group in an air-conditioned car or minivan. Drivers named in past bookings include Shabbir, Raza, Pedro, Jane, and Craig, though your driver will depend on your date.

“Our driver Pedro communicated since I signed up for transfer service up to the time we arrived at the airport. He is very courteous and helpful with getting around Edinburgh where we stayed. Very safe driver and provided us a lot of info about the place.”

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Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands & Loch Ness from Edinburgh - Doune Castle and its screen fame
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Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands & Loch Ness from Edinburgh

8.Luxury Private Tour of The Highlands & Loch Ness from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.)

Leave Edinburgh at 8:00 am for a private, 10 to 12-hour Highlands tour for up to seven people. Expect castle views, a stop with Highland cows, Glencoe and Loch Ness, plus optional time on the water. Guides include Andy, Nathan, Graham, Donald, Noel and Paul, with time and stops adapted to your group.

“Nathan is a traveling Scottish encyclopedia with a few “legends” mixed in! He made sure we were able to take a boat tour which wasn’t in the original agenda. Recommended fabulous places for lunch and dinner. Can’t recommend enough!”

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Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Edinburgh Private Tour - The University of Edinburgh and the city’s ideas
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Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Edinburgh Private Tour

9.Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Edinburgh Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 130 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $128

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town for about three hours with a private English-speaking local guide. See Edinburgh Castle from outside, cross the Grassmarket, and visit the University of Edinburgh, with room to shape the route around your interests. A local drink or tasting is included; attraction admission and hotel transfers are not.

“Our tour was fabulous! Our tour guide Gain was terrific. very knowledgeable, and we had several laughs along the way. he led us at a pace the two of us could handle given that we both use a cane. we still managed to see so many parts of Old Town even with the sloping streets and the stairs. highly recommend this experience and our tour guide Gain.”

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Private St Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Tour - A stop at St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club
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Private St Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Tour

10.Private St Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 113 reviews · 1.5 hours

Spend 90 minutes with a private local guide around the Old Course, from the first tee and putting green to the 17th and 18th fairways and Swilcan Bridge. Hear about famous shots, golf’s origins and St Andrews’ club politics. Guides include John, Carol, James and Richard. The tour costs $183 for up to four people.

“Carol was a fabulous guide. So knowledgeable on the golf history and lives in St Andrew. I would highly recommend this tour for golfers and non golfers as well. Totally worth the money!”

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Private Food Tour of Edinburgh with Haggis, Scotch & More - From St Giles’ Cathedral to St Mary’s Street
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Private Food Tour of Edinburgh with Haggis, Scotch & More

11.Private Food Tour of Edinburgh with Haggis, Scotch & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $465

Spend about three hours walking central Edinburgh with a private English-speaking food guide. Taste haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese and cakes, a secret dish, and Lowland single malt whisky. The route begins at St Giles’ Cathedral and ends on St Mary’s Street, with famous sights along the way. Guides Nicola and Skye have led tours, though your guide may vary.

“Nicola was a great tour guide. She is knowledgeable, passionate about Scottish culture and funny. We enjoyed our tour immensely. Haggis, scones, whisky and ice cream were delicious.”

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Private Central Highlands Driving Tour - Falls of Dochart and a taste of local food
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Private Central Highlands Driving Tour

12.Private Central Highlands Driving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Leave the Edinburgh driving to a local guide on this private seven-to-eight-hour tour for up to seven people. Stops can include Stirling Castle, Callander, Loch Lubnaig, Rob Roy’s grave, and the Falls of Dochart, with optional Deanston Distillery and the Kelpies. Guides such as Scott, Gary, Jim, and Will are praised for lively Scottish stories and adapting the day to your interests.

“Our 5-person family really enjoyed this tour. While we have also enjoyed group tours on Viator, having a personalized guide and tour was really enjoyable. Jim, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. At multiple time, he gave us options (e.g., see the castle or spend more time at a hiking trail), which helped customize the tour to what we wanted to see and experience. He also gave us the opportunity to visit local shops and cafes to sample the best local options. The Highlands are absolutely gorgeous and would recommend this tour to folks staying in Edinburgh. You haven’t seen Scotland unless you have seen the Highlands!”

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Edinburgh Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private Tour with a Local - Old Town stories, pubs, and whisky
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Edinburgh Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private Tour with a Local

13.Edinburgh Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 3 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $105

Set the pace and priorities on a private, English-language walking tour of Edinburgh lasting three to eight hours. Your local host may show you the castle, Dean Village, Arthur’s Seat, or Old Town pubs, depending on your interests. Doug and Jen are among the hosts praised for their engaging approach. Food, drinks, attraction tickets, and transport are extra.

“Doug was very good as a guide sharing with us his knowledge his passion to Edinburgh. Thank you very much for this experience....................................................................................................................................”

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Multi Day Private Tour Of Scotland - Day 1: Leaving Edinburgh
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Multi Day Private Tour Of Scotland

14.Multi Day Private Tour Of Scotland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 3 days (approx.)

Set out from Edinburgh for a private three-day tour with Dave, whose commentary and willingness to tailor the route are central to the experience. Your group of up to eight travels by private transport, with pickup at your accommodation or an agreed meeting point. The route is flexible, and it skips Inverness Castle.

“I have visited 78 countries in the last 30 years and I have never had a tour and guide I enjoyed as much as Dave. Funny, knowledgable, and flexible. He works with you to let you help design the tour to meet your needs. He provides great commentary. He made everything enjoyable. His tours are a must do.”

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Edinburgh Private Walking Tour - St Giles’ Cathedral sets the scene
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Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

15.Edinburgh Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $104

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town for about two and a half hours with a private English-speaking guide. Hear stories of St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, Deacon Brodie and Victoria Street, with time to ask questions and tailor the pace to your group. Guides named by past guests include David, Kieran, Shanna and Adrian.

“David was incredible. So kind and knowledgeable. We learned a lot and 10/10 would recommend to anyone visiting.”

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New in Private

★ 5.0Coastal Charms: St Andrews & Kingdom of Fife Private Day TourFrom $56744 reviews
★ 5.0Wallace monument, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace Private Tour46 reviews
★ 5.0The Alba Adventure – a 2-7 day private tour of Scotland53 reviews
★ 5.0Private Royal Mile walking tour – Discover the history of our most famous street48 reviews
★ 5.0Private Glencoe Driving Tour from Edinburgh51 reviews
★ 5.0Edinburgh Half Day Guided Private Tour in a Premium MinivanFrom $27545 reviews
★ 4.9Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers47 reviews
★ 5.0Kingdom of Fife & St Andrews Full-Day Guided Private Tour in a Premium MinivanFrom $27554 reviews
★ 5.0Loch Ness, Glen Coe & Highlands Private Tour54 reviews
★ 5.0Private Edinburgh City 4-Hour Guided Tour in a black cab LEVC TX61 reviews
★ 5.0Private City Kickstart Tour: EdinburghFrom $9257 reviews
★ 5.0Private One Day Highlands Tour of Scotland63 reviews
★ 5.0Private Edinburgh City Half-Day Tour65 reviews
★ 5.0Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Private Day Tour65 reviews

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Edinburgh, further in

Go under the Old Town, out to a distillery, or north into the glens.

After dark

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Drams and gin

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Castles

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On screen

Harry PotterOutlanderHogwarts ExpressRosslyn Chapel