Edinburgh Old Town Whisky and History Walking Tour

A guided walking tour of the Old Town that combines the architectural and political history of the Royal Mile with an introduction to Scottish whisky. The route covers the full length of the Royal Mile from the Castle Esplanade to the Scottish Parliament, taking in the closes and wynds (the narrow alleys that run perpendicular to the main street, many of which are named after the tradespeople who worked there: Fleshmarket Close, Anchor Close, Dunbar's Close), the key buildings (St Giles' Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, the High Court, the Canongate Tolbooth), and the points where Edinburgh's history collides with the present. The whisky component typically involves a tasting at a traditional whisky bar on or near the Royal Mile: three or four drams of single malt from different Scottish regions (Highland, Speyside, Islay, Lowland) with explanation of the differences in production and flavour. The tour runs 2.5-3 hours. Prices from GBP 25-35 per person depending on operator and whisky included. Small groups (maximum 12) from the better operators. The historical context provided by a good Edinburgh guide is worth the cost: the closes, the tenement history, the Reformation, the Jacobite risings, and the role of the Enlightenment in the New Town are all easier to absorb on the ground than from a book.