Edinburgh Half and Full Day Tours, Margot McMurdo's Tours

Margot McMurdo Blue Badge Scottish Tour Guide. Email: margot@ctem.co.uk

Edinburgh Experience

A Full Day Tour, and Half Day Tour

Full Day Tour:

(Half Day Tour and Events further down the page)

A fascinating full day tour where we visit some of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks and you could also visit a distillery, Glenkinchie, the closest Lowland malt whisky distillery to Edinburgh and you can even enjoy a wee dram of the amber nectar! - slainte mhath - good health!

I will take you on a guided tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. The palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots for six years and houses beautiful tapestries and paintings. You may also like to visit the new Queen's Gallery which hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from The Royal Collection. We shall also visit Edinburgh Castle, part of whch dates from the 12th Century. the Castle contains the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny.

Edinburgh Castle We shall travel through the Old Town using the Royal Mile, which connects the Castle and the Palace and go around the 18th Century Georgian New Town. You may even care to visit the Georgian House and see life in 1796! Going back even further in time to 1424, you may enjoy a visit to Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542 and home to all the Stewart Kings.

You may also like to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia This is the ship where presidents, kings and queens were entertained and it was, first and foremost, the home of the Royal family. The ship is now berthed in Edinburgh's Port of Leith and a visit to it gives a fascinating insight into the world of probably the world's most famous family! You may also like to see The Scottish Parliament building, a very unique modern building located at the foot of The Royal Mile in the Old Town, opposite The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Other attractions include the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre; Gladstone's Land; The Writer's Museum; St Giles High Kirk; The Museum of Childhood; John Knox House; The Dynamic Earth; The Royal Museum of Scotland; The Royal Botanic Garden and Art Galleries.

You will have a chance to shop too!
We can visit James Pringle Weavers where you can purchase quality tartan clothing/highland dress, gifts and souvenirs. They also have a Whisky Shop where you can even sample the 'water of life' before you buy! We can, if you wish, visit Kinloch Anderson, renowned experts in Highland Dress since 1868 and by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales. They specialise in quality Scottish clothing - tartan by the metre, tweed skirts, knitwear, scarves, rugs and even jewellery. They also have a special exhibition featuring Royal Tartans and the history of kilt making.

If you prefer to spend a little time in the countryside, where better than at a whisky distillery! Glenkinchie Distillery is a very pleasant drive from the city. It produces the driest and smokiest of Lowland whiskies and is a fine pale smooth single malt. You can have a V.I.P. tour with a special tasting!

You may prefer to spend the afternoon exploring a stately home. Dalmeny House (home of the Earl and Countess of Rosebery); Hopetoun House (home of the Marquess of Linlithgow) and Lennoxlove (home of the Duke of Hamilton), are all just a short drive from Edinburgh and boast fine collections of furniture; paintings and porcelain. Dalmeny House has one of the world's most important Napoleonic Collections. The houses are set in the most beautiful grounds and have excellent tea shops where you can enjoy some fine home baking!

If you are interested in modern technology, you may enjoy a visit to The Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boat lift, linking the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals. If you are fascinated by the 'Da Vinci Code' or would like to visit a 15th century church, Rosslyn Chapel on the outskirts of Edinburgh is superb. The stone carvings are masterpieces of the stonemasons craft and make the building very unique.

Please note:

The Palace of Holyroodhouse will be closed on the following dates in 2009, and some others not yet decided.

10th April Good Friday
16th May-6th June
22nd June-3rd July
24th July
25th and 26th December Christmas

Options:

1. Guiding only

You supply the vehicle (coach, minibus or car) and driver.

2. Driver/Guide

I drive you in a luxury, air-conditioned 4x4 which is fully insured (maximum 3-4 people).

3. People Carrier/coach/mini-bus/Driver and Guide (for groups over 3 in number)

I will arrange a suitable vehicle for your group. My business colleague, with many years driving/touring experience, will be your driver and I will be your guide.

Prices for the above options on application.

To enquire or book:

Email margot@ctem.co.uk or call/fax +44 (0)1899 880207

Please see: Terms and conditions

In order to avoid disappointment, please try to book at least 4 weeks in advance. If that's impossible contact me anyway, and I'll do my best!

Prices do not include entry fees to places of interest:

Prices do not include entry fees to places of interest.
Admission to Castle. Prices range from £5.00 to £12
Admission to Palace. Prices range from £5.00 to £10
Admission to Queen's Gallery. Prices range from £4.00 to £8.00
Admission to Britannia. Prices range from £6.00 to £10.00
Admission to Glenkinchie Distillery. Prices range from £5.00-£7.00
Admission to the Georgian House. Prices range from £5.00 to £15.00
Admission to Lennoxlove. Prices range from £4.00-£6.00

Concessions may sometimes be available for senior citizens; families; groups and children.

Lunch at Edinburgh Castle

A special lunch can be arranged for small groups in the exclusive Queen Anne Room off Crown Square. There is also a more casual self service restaurant in the Mills Mount Restaurant with outstanding views over the city.

You may prefer something more casual, and a good selection of light lunches; snacks and drinks are available in the Café section of the restaurant. Prices range from £1.30 to £5.95.

Scottish Evening

A full Scottish dinner and entertainment can be arranged for you to complete your visit to Edinburgh. Prices start at around £47.00 per person.

On this page Above: Full Day Edinburgh Tour, Below: Half Day Tour, and Edinburgh Events

Edinburgh Experience - Half Day Tour:

A superb half-day tour, where I will show you Edinburgh's most famous landmarks...

I will take you on a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle which contains The Honours of Scotland - the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. We also visit the Palace of Holyrood House which is the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. The Palace is adjacent to the 13th century ruin of the Abbey of Holyrood which is all set against the beautiful backdrop of Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags. We also travel through the Old Town, using the Royal Mile which links the Castle to the Palace and the Georgian New Town which was begun in 1776.