Off The Beaten Path Edinburgh: Dean Village Private Walking Tour

Dean Village is one of the oldest villages that lay around the original Royal Burgh of Edinburgh with a history going back centuries, this area has been named in maps and documents since 1535. On this tour, you will learn some of the hidden stories of Dean Village and uncover some secrets behind this fascinating part of the city.

On your private, guided tour of Edinburgh with a local, you will:

• Take a stroll down Dean Village where you will see the charming cottages, grand Georgian homes and monuments that make this small village historically unique;
• Step off the beaten tourist path to explore this little oasis, a medieval site which was once known for its milling community that now features large villas and adorable cottages dating back to the 17th century;
• Hear about the traditions of this unique part of Scotland’s capital city, as your tour guide shares stories about its famous residents, from Adam Smith to Robert Louis Stevenson;
• See the old water mills, statues, and wells, truly making you feel like you’re outside the city, though you’re still right beneath the city centre;
• Enjoy the cobblestone streets, colourful mews houses, and the Water of Leith, which makes it feel like a fairytale place untouched by the modern world;
• Pick up invaluable recommendations, advice, and tips for the best pub fare and whiskies in town as you explore highlights and off-the-beaten-track side streets;
• End your tour at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, which showcases an outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art, including a centenary Joan Eardley display.

Edinburgh’s modern-day authors, including JK Rowling, Alexander McCall Smith, Irvine Welsh, and Ian Rankin helped secure its place at the forefront of European culture when UNESCO awarded the Scottish capital with the first City of Literature Award in 2004. 

For visitors, strolling Edinburgh is a joy, especially Dean Village, where handsome medieval buildings, cobblestone streets, spire-topped churches and historic Edinburgh Castle are backdropped by Pentland Hills.

Enjoying a private, guided tour with an Edinburgh local will help you discover the sights that tourists so often miss on its windy streets and punishing hills. From fairies to unicorns, hear the intriguing backstories and fantastical stories which bring Scotland to life. 

There is no substitute for spending an afternoon with a true Scot, who will not only help you swerve the tartan-splashed tourist traps and overpriced wool-ware but who will show you the best places to pick up authentic mementoes and one-of-a-kind whiskies. 

Your tour is immersive - bringing meaningful and like-minded interesting people together that would never meet if you stuck to the main tourist drag. Experience the humour, subtle nuances, social conventions and psyche of a place over a beer or coffee, and then jot down your guide’s real version of “the must-do Edinburgh.”  

On your visit to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), you will enjoy the home to Scotland’s outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Carrington, Dali, Magritte and Miro.

Tour duration
3 hours

Type of tour
Walking tour: no transportation is included

Tickets included

- English Speaking Guide
- Visit Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Other inclusions

- Gratuities optional
- Food and drink are not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included

Suitable for
Culture Vulture, Family, Friends, History Buffs

Attractions along this route:

Princes Street Gardens
The lovely Princes Street Gardens lie in a valley previously occupied by the North Loch, drained during the construction of the New Town of Edinburgh.

Dean Village
Located below Edinburgh Castle to the northwest, Dean Village is a quaint neighborhood with picturesque landscapes and idyllic pubs.

The Dean Bridge
Located at the heart of historic Dean Village, the bridge has come to be as much a picture spot as a transport link.

Circus Lane
Circus Lane in Edinburgh is located in the historic Stockbridge area,

Stockbridge Market
Stockbridge Market is a weekly market event in Edinburgh

Dean Cemetery
The Dean Cemetery is a historically important Victorian cemetery north of the Dean Village

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art