Even if you have packed your schedule full of shows, most people who come here will be eager to find out more about the city itself. As the name suggests, Edinburgh's Old Town – History and Tales is a two hour walking tour that aims to give those taking part a glimpse of the City’s history. Starting off at the Hot Toddy Lounge and ending up in Greyfriars Kirk, it covers the Royal Mile and Grassmarket. Tour guide Eleanor, was friendly and had plenty of facts on her fingertips, from how the Tron Kirk got its name, to how “Greyfriars Bobby” won the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh.
Great introduction to the area
The tour struck a good balance between giving people enough information without stopping every five minutes. Of course, the Old Town is just one part of Edinburgh, which is too big a city for one tour to cover everything in a morning. So this is designed more to whet the appetite, than to satisfy it. Still, both myself and the others who attended, including people who had previously lived in Edinburgh, came away thinking that they had got their money’s worth from the experience. Overall, a great introduction to the area which forms a backdrop to the Fringe.
