Mary Queen of Scots’ Edinburgh: A History Hit Audio Tour

Edinburgh, Scotland
Duration45m - 1h 15m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Take a stroll down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and step right into one of history’s wildest political dramas with this self-guided audio tour produced by History Hit.

On this GPS-guided tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots, weaving through the same closes, kirkyards, and cobblestone streets she once knew.

The tour starts at the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where you’ll hear about baby Mary’s daring escape to France after Henry VIII’s army torched the place. From there, you’ll head up the Royal Mile and into medieval Edinburgh. You’ll wander past Canongate Kirkyard and St Giles’ Cathedral, before ending the tour at Edinburgh Castle.

This isn’t your typical tragic queen story. On this 45-minute tour, you’ll see Mary as a tough, savvy ruler who played a nearly impossible game. Come ready for some seriously dramatic history – and a whole new perspective on Scotland’s most misunderstood queen.

What's included

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation

What to expect

  1. Palace of Holyroodhouse
    Pass by
    This self-guided audio tour starts at the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where you'll learn how an infant Mary was smuggled to France after Henry VIII's troops burned the abbey to the ground.
  2. Pass by
    On this audio tour, you'll pass by the Scottish Parliament Building and learn about its history.
  3. White Horse Close
    Pass by
    You'll explore White Horse Close, reputedly stabled Mary's favourite horse and a remnant of the French elegance she brought to Edinburgh.
  4. Canongate Kirk
    Pass by
    You'll visit Canongate Kirkyard, where Mary's secretary David Rizzio lies buried after being stabbed over fifty times by her jealous husband and a gang of armed lords.
  5. Royal Mile
    Pass by
    Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the stage for one of history's most dramatic political collapses. On this walking tour, you'll trace Mary Queen of Scots' turbulent reign through the closes, kirkyards, and cobblestones she once navigated.
  6. St Giles' Cathedral
    Pass by
    You'll stand before St Giles' Cathedral, where wedding banns for her scandalous third marriage were read aloud – sealing her fate with a public that already suspected her of murder.
  7. Writers' Museum
    Pass by
    On this GPS-guided tour, you'll see and learn about the Writers' Museum.
  8. Witches well
    Pass by
    You'll stand at the Witches' Well, where hundreds of women were burned on this very esplanade.
  9. Edinburgh Castle
    Pass by
    The tour ends at Edinburgh Castle, where a pregnant, terrified Mary fled after Rizzio's killing to give birth to the son who would one day unite the crowns of Scotland and England.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This tour starts at Palace of Holyroodhouse. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This self-guided audio tour ends in front of Edinburgh Castle on the Esplanade.

Additional information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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$11.99 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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