Edinburgh Free Walking Tour: History and the Scottish Nation

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Edinburgh

Duration: 2 hours

Languages: English

Guru: Iain

Registered on 12 May 2022

I am Scottish, grew up near Glasgow, and have lived in Scotland for most of my life. But I'm also a keen international traveller. I've visited over 50 countries and have lived abroad for over three years. I've always been interested in other countries, their history, society, culture and people. Now it's time to explain to visitors to Edinburgh about my own country, and help them have an enjoyable and interesting stay.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

On this tour, I will give a general introduction to Edinburgh's main sights: historic buildings, museums and galleries, walks around Arthur's Seat and day trips out of the city, to help you get the most out of your stay in Edinburgh.

Specifically, we will visit sights around Edinburgh's Old Town associated with Scottish nationhood, including the Old Parliament, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scotsman newspaper, Canongate's Moray House, Holyrood Palace and the current Scottish Parliament building.

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, but it wasn't always this way. In 1707, the Scottish Parliament voted to join its historic rival England, in a union of two nations.

I will take you back to the turbulent history of the 17th century, to the autocratic monarchs, religious strife, civil wars, European wars and colonial adventures which were the background to the votes of the Scottish and English parliaments in favour of a political union. Why did parliamentarians in 1707, vote for the end of Scotland and England as independent nations?

And I will talk about Scotland in the United Kingdom today. What happened in 2014? What about Brexit? Why do 50% of Scottish voters want to remain in the UK? Why do 50% want to leave? And what about the future?

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

7 Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1JN, UK

I will be beside the statue of Charles II, in Parliament Square, next to St Giles Cathedral.

Outside visit

parliament square

I will be beside the statue of Charles II, in Parliament Square, next to St Giles Cathedral. This is next to the Old Parliament Hall.

Outside visit

Cockburn Street

The Scotsman Building

Outside visit

Sibbald Walk

Queen Elizabeth House, and views to St Andrews House, and Old Royal High School.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).