Walking and Running Tours in Edinburgh

Explore Edinburgh like never before with a running or walking tour, with a tour for all fitness levels. Experience the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, historic sites, and scenic trails with guided routes that combine physical activity with fascinating tales of Edinburgh’s past.

Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Walking Tours in Edinburgh offer a fun and relaxed walking tour around Edinburgh. Led by friendly local guides their tours are full of life, great pubs, picture-perfect views, and rich history. On their daily Wee Walk, you’ll learn all about Edinburgh’s history and culture, and on their Whisky tour, you can relax after the walking and enjoy three full drams of whisky at the Tolbooth Tavern.

Each tour is unique and if it’s a private tour you’re looking for, they have that too, covering areas such as history, culture, and stories from people of the past.

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WanderWoman Scotland

Escape from reality with WanderWoman Scotland, who offer unforgettable adventures into Edinburgh’s wilderness for women. You’ll take part in mindful walking, cooking over an open fire, mediation, wild swimming and camping, and return feeling refreshed, uplifted, and motivated. Experience a whole new type of self-care as you experience the true essence of nature and take part in one of their seasonal walks.

Whether you’re hiking along ancient trails, exploring historic castles, or soaking in panoramic views from mountain peaks, each step of the journey promises a new and exhilarating experience.

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All-star Guides

All-Star Guides offers immersive walking tours in the city of Edinburgh. Led by local guides who have called Edinburgh home for many years, they’ll share some insider knowledge on the best places to eat, drink and shop.

From the medieval Old Town to the Georgian New Town, these tours provide an authentic and engaging experience for visitors eager to explore the city’s rich history, culture and hidden gems. With different tours to offer such as Old Town Stories, Edinburgh Dark History and a tour of Edinburgh Castle, there’s something for everyone. Their public tours are in English, but they also offer private tours in Spanish, German and Portuguese.

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The Potter Trail

For those looking for a magical adventure, join The Potter Trail.

This unique tour invites you to discover the city’s connections to the world of Harry Potter, as well as the inspirations that are believed by some people to have influenced J.K. Rowling’s beloved series. Your guide will share fascinating facts and history whilst taking you to iconic locations that may have inspired scenes in the books, such as the winding alleyways that inspired the creation of Diagon Alley as well as the eerie graveyard of Tom Riddle’s final resting place. For fans of all ages, the Potter Trail offers a magical journey filled with spellbinding stories and unforgettable sights, making it a must-do experience for anyone enchanted by the wizarding realm of Harry Potter.

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Edinburgh Birding and Nature Tours

Experience the natural wonders of the city with the Edinburgh Birding and Nature Tours. Led by experienced guides passionate about wildlife, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s diverse ecosystems and observe a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat.

Along the way, learn about conservation efforts and the importance of preserving these natural spaces. If birds aren’t your thing, they also have tours featuring a range of other animals, including otters!

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The Paul James Stewart Tours

Join Paul James Stewart, an award-winning tour guide, and former member of the homeless community in Edinburgh for tours that will take you on a journey through the historic streets of Edinburgh.

With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for storytelling, Paul brings the city’s vibrant history to life, guiding you through its iconic landmarks, hidden alleyways and fascinating tales. Whether you’re exploring the medieval Old Town, uncovering the secrets of the Royal Mile, or delving into the mysteries of Edinburgh’s dark past, Paul’s walking tours offer an immersive and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

Paul offers a range of walking tours form food tours, comedy tours, Edinburgh Castle tours, Royal Mile tours and even tours including the movie Trainspotting.

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Tours et Détours d’Edimbourg

Tours et Détours d’Edimbourg offer a variety of public and private walking tours in French.

They offer a wide range of tours covering areas such as historical tours of the Old and New Town, Harry Potter, whisky, and culinary heritage. You’ll hear captivating stories and intriguing tales that bring the city’s past to life from a team who are passionate about sharing the best of Edinburgh.

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Scotland with Hannah

Scotland with Hannah offers walking tours in Edinburgh exploring LGBTQ+ and women’s history.

Led by knowledgeable guide Hannah, her women’s history tour will teach you about the women who have shaped Edinburgh, from religious rebels to brave doctors. On her Edinburgh queer history tour, you’ll hear of royal love stories and ground-breaking lesbian Victorian doctors as well as many other inspiring stories that have shaped Edinburgh’s identity as an inclusive city.

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Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours

Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours offer private tours that are customised to your needs and interests.

Explore the medieval origins of the Old Town and Royal Mile or discover the style and architecture of the Georgian era on their New Town walking tour; step back in time and walk in the footsteps of some of the most iconic figures of the past such as Mary, Queen of Scots and economist and philosopher, Adam Smith. With Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours, you’ll avoid the crowds and explore quieter areas, and because the tours are dog-friendly, you can bring your furry friend along for no additional cost!

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Edinburgh Run Tours

Edinburgh Run Tours offers an exhilarating way to explore the historic streets of Edinburgh while staying active and fit. Their running tours are completely tailored to you and your running experience, so whether you’re brand-new to running, or someone experienced who wants to run the miles, there’s something for everyone.

Some of their recommended tours are their Edinburgh city highlights tour (4 miles), panoramic Edinburgh tour (6 miles), Castles, Trails & Secret Beaches tour (13miles), Water of Leith & Village Life (7 miles), and many more to choose from.

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Go! Running Tours

For those who are all about the distance, Go! Running Tours offer running tours measured by distances. Choose a running tour beginning at 6km, all the way up to 21km, with each one exploring a different part of Edinburgh. During these tours your guide will share interesting stories of Edinburgh and you’ll learn about everything that makes the city so special.

Their tours pass many picturesque areas, so it is recommended you bring along something to snap a pic.

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EdiTburgh Alternative Tours

EdiTburgh Alternative Tours are the perfect way to work up a bit of a sweat, whilst seeing the city at a quicker pace. On this tour you’ll get to explore the hidden parts of Edinburgh at whatever pace is easiest for you and your group. With options of running through the New Town or Old Town, and with distances ranging from 8 – 12 kilometres, these tours can be tailored to your groups needs.

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Parkrun

Parkrun is a fun, free community event where participants are encouraged to walk, run or jog 5K each weekend. Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning, with their junior parkrun event for ages 4-14 taking place every Sunday morning.

They have locations in areas such as Cramond, Holyrood, Portobello, Heriot-Watt University Oriam and many more. All events are free, and you can check their website for locations near you.

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Wee Ecosse

Immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s culture and history with Wee Ecosse French walking tours. Their tours are always guided by native French speakers who live in Edinburgh, and are filled with local legends, classic tales, architecture, and an option to discover Scottish cuisine in either a public or private tour.

Tour themes include magic and legends, dark stories, gourmet Edinburgh, Edinburgh must-sees and many more.

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Black History Walking Tour

Discover Edinburgh’s deep links with Africa and the Caribbean over the past 500 years with the Black History Walking tour.

Led by poet, author and founder of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, and with a focus on the Caribbean and Edinburgh’s role in the transatlantic slave system, you’ll hear the lesser-known stories of Edinburgh’s visitors and residents of African, African American and Caribbean heritage from the 16th century to the present day.

Beginning at the New Town and ending at the Old Town, with the opportunity to see Edinburgh’s statues and buildings in a whole new way, this is a thought-provoking, enlightening tour. 

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Women’s History Tours

Join 1 of 4 Women’s History Tours that highlight women of Edinburgh’s past.

Hear about women in education and medicine from all levels of society or venture around the New Town as you learn of women who fought for justice, as well as pioneering novelists and artists. Take a walk around the historic Old Town as you’re regaled with stories of the women who lived and worked here over the centuries.

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