Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Edinburgh – An Edinburgh Walking Tour

The most gripping part of this walk is its setting: Edinburgh in the late summer of 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Highland Army entered the city. Robert leads you through the Old Town sites tied to the Jacobite occupation, explaining the resistance, the obstacles, and how the prince finally took Edinburgh.

I like the private format, since Robert can shape the conversation around your interests. I also like the use of Greyfriars Kirkyard, where graves connected with the 1745 rebellion add a human touch. The main consideration is that this is a walking tour requiring moderate fitness, and it needs good weather to run.

Key points to know before you book

• Follow the Jacobite story along the Royal Mile: Most of the two-hour walk takes place on and around Edinburgh’s famous Old Town street.
• Meet at Greyfriars Kirkyard: The tour begins at Greyfriars Place and ends in the Grassmarket or, if useful for the group, the Lawnmarket.
• Walk with Robert: The award-winning local guide brings in extra stories about Edinburgh and its characters when your interests point that way.
• Visit graves linked to the rebellion: About 20 minutes in Greyfriars adds a personal and memorial side to the political story.
• Enjoy a private tour: Only your group participates, allowing for a more flexible pace and questions.
• Plan for Scottish weather: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but you should still dress for an outdoor walk.

Edinburgh in 1745, told from the Old Town streets

This tour works because the Jacobite story is not presented as a list of battles far from the city. You follow it through the streets where the political struggle played out. The late summer of 1745 becomes the main frame, with Robert showing how Edinburgh reacted as Prince Charles Edward Stewart and his army approached.

The focus is not only on Bonnie Prince Charlie. You also hear about the attempts to hold back the Jacobites, the practical problems facing the prince, and the way the city was finally taken. That gives the walk a useful balance. It is about the Jacobite advance, but also about the people and institutions trying to resist it.

Robert’s role matters here. He is not simply pointing out old buildings and repeating dates. He sets the scene and uses the streets to explain the action. The effect, as you walk through the Old Town, is to picture the city as a place of uncertainty, divided loyalties, and public excitement.

You can also ask about other parts of Edinburgh’s past. Robert has a habit of adding useful side stories about the city and its characters, so the walk can stretch beyond the main Jacobite plot when that suits your group.

The Royal Mile: the main stage of the story

Most of the tour takes place along and around the Royal Mile, the Old Town route that gives the experience its sense of place. You are not spending the morning moving between distant sights. Instead, you stay in the historic core and connect several locations to the events of 1745.

The Royal Mile is a good setting for this subject because its streets and buildings help you imagine a crowded, watchful city. Robert describes the political tension and the arrival of the Jacobite army, helping you picture people following events from the edges of the action.

One especially vivid image from the tour is the idea of ladies on both sides of the High Street leaning from windows and waving for the troops they supported. It shows how the occupation was not a simple story of one united city greeting one victorious force. Different people could see the Jacobites in very different ways.

That human detail is more useful than a string of names and dates. You begin to think about what it meant to stand in Edinburgh while an army entered the city, with supporters watching from above and opponents trying to stop the advance.

The Royal Mile portion lasts about an hour, though the full experience runs for roughly two hours. Since the tour is private, you can ask Robert to spend more time on the parts that interest you most. One group might want the political background. Another might care more about Edinburgh’s buildings, residents, and street life during the occupation.

The drawback is that the tour does not include admission to a museum or historic house. That is not a problem if you want a street-based history walk, but it matters if you prefer indoor exhibits or formal collections. The reward is a direct connection between the story and the places where it unfolded.

Greyfriars Kirkyard: graves that give the rebellion a human face

The walk begins at Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, on Greyfriars Place. This is also one of the main stops, with about 20 minutes set aside for the cemetery.

Greyfriars is important to the tour because you are not only hearing about the Jacobite cause in the abstract. Robert points out graves belonging to people connected with the 1745 rebellion. Their names and memorials give the story a more personal scale.

A cemetery can also slow the pace in a useful way. The Royal Mile section deals with movement, public reaction, and the taking of the city. Greyfriars gives you time to consider the individuals caught up in the conflict. It helps connect grand political claims with real lives.

You should expect uneven ground and outdoor walking in a historic cemetery. The tour information calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so comfortable shoes are sensible. There is no separate admission charge for this stop.

Starting at Greyfriars also gives the tour a clear meeting point. You are not trying to find a large attraction entrance or wait inside a station. The meeting location is Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ.

Robert’s guiding style and the value of a private group

The guide is Robert, an award-winning Edinburgh guide who focuses on the city’s past and its characters. His strength is the way he sets a scene, then follows the questions and interests of the people in front of him.

That flexibility is especially useful on a private tour. Only your group takes part, so the experience is not built around a large crowd or a fixed script for strangers. If you want to ask about the Jacobite army, local supporters, the opposition in Edinburgh, or other city stories, you have room to do so.

A private tour can also be a good choice for people who already know some Scottish history. You do not need to sit through a basic introduction if you are more interested in a particular figure or moment. At the same time, Robert’s clear storytelling suits anyone who wants the setting explained from the beginning.

The private format is one of the strongest reasons to consider the price. At $30, the cost is modest for a two-hour guided experience, particularly if that price applies to your group rather than each person. The exact value depends on the booking arrangement, but the combination of a local guide, a private setting, and a focused historical subject makes it more than a simple walk around the Royal Mile.

You should not book it expecting entertainment without substance. The appeal is conversation, context, and storytelling. If you prefer to explore silently at your own pace, a self-guided route may suit you better. If you like being shown the links between places, people, and events, Robert’s approach has more to offer.

What you will and will not see

The supplied route names two principal areas: the Royal Mile and Greyfriars. The Royal Mile receives about an hour, while Greyfriars receives about 20 minutes. The entire experience lasts approximately two hours, leaving time for the walk between locations and for Robert’s explanations.

You will see Edinburgh through a Jacobite lens. That does not mean every part of the city is covered. This is a focused history tour, not a general introduction to Edinburgh’s attractions, architecture, food, or shopping.

You also should not expect an indoor visit to Edinburgh Castle, a museum, or a palace. No attraction admissions are included because the experience is based outdoors in the Old Town. That keeps the cost down, but it also means the weather can shape your comfort.

The finish is flexible. The tour may end in the Grassmarket, or it may finish in the Lawnmarket depending on the needs of the group. Both locations are useful points in the Old Town, but you should allow a little flexibility if you have a tightly timed reservation immediately afterward.

Who will get the most from this walk

I would recommend this tour to you if you have a real interest in the Jacobites, Bonnie Prince Charlie, or the political story of eighteenth-century Scotland. It is also a good fit if you are visiting Edinburgh more than once and want to see the Old Town through a narrower historical theme.

It suits couples, families with older children, and small private groups who enjoy asking questions. The private format is helpful for a family with mixed interests because Robert can add broader Edinburgh stories instead of keeping every minute tied to a fixed lecture.

The experience can also appeal to people who already live in Edinburgh. A city you know well can look different when you learn which streets mattered during a particular crisis. Robert has enjoyed showing local people a more Jacobite side of their own city, and that is a strong sign that the tour can work beyond first-time sightseeing.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility or dislike walking outdoors. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and the route includes a historic kirkyard and Old Town streets. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not promise step-free access or a fully accessible route.

Price, weather, and planning the day

At $30, this is a reasonably priced way to spend two hours with a private local guide. There are no extra admission fees listed, and the tour concentrates on public streets and Greyfriars Kirkyard. For someone who wants a clear historical story rather than a long list of paid attractions, the price is appealing.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You should still check the forecast and wear shoes suitable for walking on old streets and cemetery ground.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the experience is offered with a mobile ticket. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical to fit into an Old Town day.

The cancellation rule is simple but strict. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Edinburgh?

Book this walk if you want a focused Jacobite story told on the streets of Edinburgh, not a broad city sightseeing tour. Robert’s scene-setting, the private format, and the stop at graves linked to the rebellion give the experience a personal feel.

It is especially worthwhile for history-minded visitors who want more than dates and monuments. The main reasons to hesitate are the outdoor format, the moderate walking requirement, and the dependence on good weather.

For $30 and about two hours, this is a sensible addition to an Edinburgh itinerary if the 1745 Jacobite story interests you. Meet at Greyfriars, keep your plans flexible at the end, and give Robert room to tailor the conversation to your group.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK.

Where does the tour finish?

It may finish in the Grassmarket or, depending on the group’s needs, somewhere in the Lawnmarket.

How long does the experience last?

The walking tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $30.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private tour or activity.

Which parts of Edinburgh does the tour visit?

The route focuses mainly on the Royal Mile and includes a visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard.

How much time is spent at the Royal Mile?

About one hour is allocated to the Royal Mile area.

How much time is spent at Greyfriars?

The Greyfriars stop lasts about 20 minutes.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.