Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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Highlights

  • See historical sights along all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate

  • Hear from producer Martin Donnelly, a Senior Teaching Fellow at two of Scotland's top universities and Edinburgh local

  • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish

  • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it

Summary

Tune into ancient and modern Scottish tales on one of Europe’s oldest streets on this self-guided audio tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Edinburgh's Old Town.

Tour info

Duration
1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (6-99 years)
$5.99
Commentary
Meeting Point

Edinburgh, The Witches Well, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2NA, GB

Dropoff location

Abbey Strand, Abbey Sanctuary - Historic Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8DU, GB

Why take this tour?

The Royal Mile is one of Europe’s most ancient and famous streets. Along this 1 ¼ mile stretch – a Scot’s mile – crimes have been committed, royals have travelled, and famous folk like Rabbie Burns, Adam Smith and David Hume have met. On this walking tour, I’ll bring some of their stories to life.

Starting at the top of Castlehill next to the Witches Well, you’ll hear about Edinburgh Castle’s early days, when a series of infamous witch burnings took place here. As you travel down the length of the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, I’ll show you the former residence of the gentleman robber, Deacon Brodie, the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. You’ll hear about religious figures like John Knox, ​​a leading figure in the Scottish Protestant Reformation, and royal tragedies like the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. I’ll also share a few tales about the barbaric punishments meted out to criminals in the 1600s, and the heartwarming story of a young lad pulled from the rubble of the Paisley Close disaster.

On this walk through the Old Town, you’ll have the chance to:

• Amble down all four sections of the Royal Mile: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, the High Street, and the old burgh of Canongate
• Stroll around St Giles Cathedral, home to the Old Tolbooth, the Heart of Midlothian mosaic, and a statue of Charles II
• Hear about the priest that was pelted to death by an angry mob, and some of the other terrible deeds that took place in the shadows of the Mercat Cross
• Find out about the city’s stench in the 1500s, and how far it travelled
• See Netherbow Port, once the main gate between Edinburgh and Canongate

As a Senior Teaching Fellow at two of Scotland's top universities, I’ve handpicked, carefully researched and curated the stories you’ll hear today, but an Edinburgh tour deserves a Scottish voice. And there’s no one better suited to the task than professional radio actor, James Bryce, who narrates all 14 stories in this tour in his charming Scottish lilt.

Enjoy all this, and more, on this entertaining and informative 45-minute stroll into the heart – and history – of the Old Town.

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What’s included?

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English

  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS

  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

  • Smartphone and headphones

  • Transportation

  • Food and drink

Things to know

Before you book

  • The audio guide uses the industry leading VoiceMap mobile app

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour

  • You'll need to use your own mobile phone and headphones

  • The tour is only available in English

Before you go

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour

  • The download should only take a few minutes to complete

  • If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there

  • Please remember to bring your own headphones and use your own mobile device

  • Please follow the download instructions included to download the tour

Redemption information

    To use your tour, please read the important instructions below and disregard all other codes except for this one: EXAMPLE
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    ⤓
    DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. Install the VoiceMap mobile app. (Just search the Apple App Store or Google Play for VoiceMap Audio Tours.)
    2. Create an account
    3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
    4. Enter the code below then select Download Now
    ___
    #
    YOUR CODE:
    EXAMPLE
    This code can be used by every member of your party. If you have booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code. Codes are not case sensitive.
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    ⌁
    PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
    • You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
    • When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
    • This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
    • The download should only take a few minutes to complete. If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there.
    • Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
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    ✉
    SUPPORT:
    For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]
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About operator:

VoiceMap makes audio tours easy and accessible. It has a beautifully simple tour app, a straightforward publishing tool, and a team of helpful editors. 

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