9 Audio Tours in Scotland Worth Booking

1.Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $11Our pick

Use the VoiceMap app to follow an English audio walk through Edinburgh’s Harry Potter landmarks. The 40-minute to one-hour route begins outside Edinburgh Castle, passes the Writer’s Museum and Victoria Street, visits Greyfriars Kirkyard, and ends at the Elephant House. Download the tour for offline use and pause whenever you like.

“We had a great experience! Everything worked perfectly easy to use easy to follow! We would recommend it to everyone! Thank you.”

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2.500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 29 reviews · 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from the Tolbooth Museum through Aberdeen’s old streets, graveyards, university quarter, harbor, and The Green. Hear stories of public hangings, treason, witches, bodysnatchers, and child-snatchers while moving at your own pace. The tour lasts about 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes and works offline in English.

“Interesting stories told well; saw the city in a different light ; explored parts of the city that I wouldn’t otherwise”

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3.The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from Mercat Cross to Marischal Square. GPS cues lead you past Aberdeen Harbour, the Maritime Museum, Provost Ross’s House, The Green, and historic civic buildings while the narration examines piracy, slavery, and insurrection. Pause for museums, coffee, ice cream, or photos as you go.

“Great way to see the city and get your bearings! Found my way round with ease and saw things by normally seen”

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4.Made in Dundee: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Follow a 70-minute English audio tour through Dundee, beginning at the Desperate Dan statue and ending at the Lemmings statues. VoiceMap supplies offline audio, maps, and GPS guidance as you visit The McManus, Caird Hall, Slessor Gardens, and other city sights at your own pace. Bring your own smartphone and allow time for optional stops.

“Actually a very good idea, but the app doesn't work well. I didn't know where ti go next because the app was already ten steps ahead and didnt stop playing the audio. So I had to open google maps to navigate myself. Also, when I took some photos the app stopped.. Really annoying. I prefer doing normal walking tours with experienced guides.”

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5.Discovering Inverness: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Capital of the Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Use the VoiceMap app to walk Inverness from St Andrew’s Cathedral along the River Ness, across Greig Street Bridge, past historic buildings, and onto the Ness Islands. The English audio starts and stops with your movement, works offline, and lets you split the route over several days.

“We had a lovely time on this walking tour. We happened to be in Inverness the day of the Queen's funeral and because of that, the tour we originally had planned that day was canceled and everything was closed. When looking for things we could do instead we found this tour and while it would have been more fun to do being able to go in to the book shop it mentioned and other things along the way, it was still a lovely day of seeing the city and the Ness islands were so beautiful. It probably could use to be updated as the Inverness castle is currently closed and…”

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6.Aberdeen’s Union Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $5Best value

Follow a 2-kilometre self-guided walk from western Union Street to Mercat Cross. VoiceMap supplies narrated stories, offline maps, and location guidance in English, with stops at Gilcomston Church, the Wallace statue, St. Nicholas cemetery, Union Terrace Gardens, Marischal College, and other granite landmarks.

“I’m a slow walker so was afraid of taking a walking tour that I would have to struggle to keep up with the group. I was able to do this tour at my own speed and really enjoy. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided historical background information on all the sites we were viewing.”

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7.Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $11Top rated

Follow a VoiceMap audio tour from the Royal Scottish Academy to the Scottish Parliament. In about 90 minutes to two hours, you’ll hear stories about Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Riddle’s Court, St Giles Cathedral, and more. Use your own phone and headphones, pause when you like, and revisit the tour with lifetime access.

“It was our first time using the app. Overall, the experience was relatively good. Sometimes it knew exactly where we were, but sometimes it didn't, which was a bit challening. This particular tour was very focused on the city's architecture, which I didn't recall from the description, so if you aren't as interested in that aspect of the city's history, you may want to try another tour.”

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8.A History of Witchcraft in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Follow Kat’s polished English narration from Holyrood Palace to Castlehill, stopping at Parliament, Bake House Close, John Knox House, St Giles’ Cathedral, and Victoria Terrace. The VoiceMap app supplies offline audio, maps, and directions for about 60 to 90 minutes, with no guide or entrance tickets included.

“I had a great time with the narrated tour by Kat. The facts were interesting but not overly dry and "textbook"-focused. Focused more on the storytelling aspect, which I really liked.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Walk from the Witches Well beside Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse with a VoiceMap audio guide in English. Hear stories of witch trials, Deacon Brodie, John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots, brutal punishments, and the old Canongate. You set the pace, stop when you like, and use the app offline.

“We loved the ability to set the pace and enjoy stopping to shop or take in scenery. Loved hearing all of the history”

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