A Historic Walk: The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, connecting two royal residences: Edinburgh Castle at the top and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. It's not one street, but many!
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Royal Mile with a private, personalized experience led by a local.
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"We hadden Jason ipv Sonny als gids. Het was een geweldige ervaring met hem. Hij vertelde bijzondere verhalen over de stad en zelfs met cameraploeg kregen wij alle aandacht en liet hij zich niet van z’n stuk brengen. Zeker een aanrader!"
"We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Sonny."
"I went on Sonny's tour with my family and we all found it very interesting and enjoyable. Sonny has an extraordinary in-depth knowledge about his subject matter, he is an excellent guide and speaker, and we visited some really interesting places. On top of that he connected us with the homeless charities in Edinburgh, explained their role and important value to the city."
"Sonny is a great person and an engaged guide, very friendly, courteous and reflective in what he is doing. He showed us a lot of sites, which you would usually ignore as a tourist (although a couple of famous places were also part of the tour). The whole tour helped us to better understand the city with regard to its social aspects and the everyday life of quite a lot of people living there and trying to purely survive. Moreover, Sonny is also entertaining, while keeping the balance between great legends of the city and serious stories about the hardships of life. He patiently waited at every stop, giving me the chance to translate for my dad, who was also glad to be on that tour and enjoyed it. We would do similar tours with "invisible cities" in other cities again, if there is a chance. It is a fantastic project und worth to support it. "
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Edinburgh with locals
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Feel the centuries of history under your feet on the Royal Mile! This iconic street is the true heart of Edinburgh. Don't just walk it, experience its secrets with a local guide on a private Royal Mile tour.
The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, connecting two royal residences: Edinburgh Castle at the top and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. It's not one street, but many!
Dive into the narrow alleyways, or 'closes', that shoot off the main street. Each has a unique story, once housing thousands of residents in crowded tenements. A local can show you the most hidden ones!
Deacon Brodie was a respectable council member by day and a burglar by night. His double life on the Royal Mile inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's famous story, 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.
The Royal Mile is home to some of Scotland's oldest pubs. Duck into a cozy spot for a pint, try some haggis, or warm up with a dram of local whisky. Your guide knows all the best traditional spots.
From street performers at the Fringe Festival to the solemn sound of bagpipes echoing from the castle, the Royal Mile is a vibrant cultural hub. Feel the city's pulse on this incredible street.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Why settle for a crowded group tour? With a local guide, you can explore the Royal Mile at your own pace, ask all your questions, and discover hidden gems missed by most. Book your exclusive Royal Mile tour now and make your trip truly special!