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Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh

New To The Site! Edinburgh, Scotland

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2 to 3 hours (approx.)

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Overview

My tour unpacks History in an exciting and stimulating way. Learn about the secrets,lies and myths surrounding this fascinating historical period.

The people involved are revealed as human beings, not mythical historical figures. Such as Walter Scott who had polio as a child and walked with a limp. He was racked with self doubt and showed no promise as a writer at school.

David Hume's father died when David was a child. His Godfather, Henry Home, was a religious man. Both were equally hated by the Church - find out why. Find out who Hume's mistress was and how she was a lady of the night. Discover how Hume was humiliated by the City Council - after he died.

Adam Smith, the father of modern economics was an anti-social man who lived with his mother, frowned upon romantic love and never married. Find out how Adam Smith is now cosmologically famous!

Learn how American Independence was a Scottish Revolution.

OPTIONAL SANDWICHES AND WATER AT TOUR END (11.00AM TOUR ONLY): £2.00

What's Included

All Fees and Taxes

Meeting Location

Meeting point

High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Calton Hill
Edinburgh EH7 5BN, UK

Options & Pricing

What To Expect

Adam Smith Statue

Learn about Adam Smith, the man, his life, his work, his mother and two main reasons why Adam Smith was unique in ways that will never be equalled and have nothing to do with economics.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

University of Edinburgh

Learn how Scottish Education, at that time, catapulted Scotland ahead of other countries.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

William Henry Playfair Statue

Appreciate the contribution made by Playfair to Edinburgh's Architectural landscape.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

General Register House

Learn about the building of Edinburgh's New Town, how bad the old town was and the contribution made by architects James Craig and Robert Adam towards making new Edinburgh one of the world’s finest cities.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Calton Hill

After spending 15 minutes in the fascinating Calton Graveyard (don't ask, it's brilliant) we go across to Calton Hill where there are several points of interest including the Scottish National Monument, the Nelson Monument and Dugald Stewart (University Polymath) commemorative statue.. and others. A fair degree of fitness is required to scale Calton Hill and complete the Tour. Please note: I am not including all of the special points of interest in the descriptions as some, actually the most interesting, don't appear as a Tour Destination with the software herein.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

David Hume Statue

Find out about Hume's life, his philosophy, why he was despised by the Scottish Church and how he almost converted from atheism to Christianity.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Calton Burial Ground

Three points of interest in this Graveyard opposite Calton Hill. Firstly, and a little surprisingly, a Commemorative Statue of Abraham Lincoln, dedicated to Scots who fought in the American Civil War, on both sides. Learn about the shared history of Scotland and America and how the United States would never have happened without Scottish intervention.Secondly, David Hume's Mausoleum. See evidence on his tomb as to why he was despised by the religious authorities and the City Council alike.Thirdly, an obelisk dedicated to Thomas Muir, one of the Enlightenment's first Social Reformers who paid for his social conscience with imprisonment in Botany Bay. Learn about Clan life and how it contrasted sharply with the dynamic changes further south in Scotland's Central belt and the Lowlands.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Scott Monument

This is a bit of a cheat because we are not visiting the Scott monument itself, we will be walking to a plaque which is high up on a building where Walter Scott once lived, one which is in plain sight that people pass daily and do not notice. It is a secret plaque, in one of the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh's convoluted streets.Here you will discover secrets about Walter Scott you did not know. We will shine a light into his relatively unknown life to reveal a man whose behaviour, lack of self esteem and ability in his younger years will shock you.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Parliament House

The Faculty of Advocates sits inside Parliament House, Parliament Square, Edinburgh. It is a Guild of Lawyers that dates back to the 13th Century.After the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England, Scottish Law remained independent. learn about the difference between Scottish and English Law at that time and why many considered Scottish Law superior...and how Boney M could possibly have anything to do with it!Learn about henry Home aka Lord Kames, who was an Advocate and a key figure in The Faculty of Advocates and The Scottish Enlightenment. Find out about his relationship with Devid Hume and Adam Smith.Find out how Lord Kames contributed to banning slavery in Scotland.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Memorial Duke of Buccleuch

The Duke of Buccleuch Statue represents the new era of Commerce during the Scottish Enlightenment. He is a vainglorious figure, a great Nobleman wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter. Like a Gainsborough painting portraying a prestigious Lord. He is surrounded by Huntsmen and Hounds, stags and crests. Battles and marriages are celebrated.The statue was his idea - he was certainly a narcissist, but as narcissists go, he was one of the more accomplished ones.His statue points North West - there's a reason why - find out why. And discover how the Scottish Enlightenment began West of Edinburgh, not in Edinburgh itself.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Dugald Stewart Monument

Dugald Stewart was Edinburgh University's pre-eminent lecturer. The monument to Dugald Stewart was designed by William Playfair - it sits proudly on Calton Hill and is one of Edinburgh's most recognisable icons.Stewart took the Chair of Moral Philosophy in 1785 and sat on that Chair for 25 years.Find out more about his life, how he tutored two Prime Ministers, a future First Lord of the Admiralty and Lord Chancellor plus a cluster of philosophers, and let's not leave out Sir Walter Scott. Discover what he truly thought about Scotland and Europe's new, Enlightened, Commercial Society.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Nelson Monument

Standing proudly on the Calton Hill is the Nelson Monument. It's a tribute to Lord Nelson, of course, but it also once had a practical function. Find out what it was. We will not be entering this building.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Calton Hill

Optional Sandwiches and water will be available to purchase for only £2.00 at the end of the tour.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Not recommended for travelers with a bladder issue who regularly require a toilet
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-320951P1

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The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh?

A:

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Apr 2025

Q: What's included in the price?

A:

The following is included:

All Fees and Taxes.

Apr 2025

Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?

A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025

Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?

A:

The minimum age to participate is 16..

Apr 2025

Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?

A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025

Q: Is this an accessible tour?

A:

Accessibility information for the Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh is as follows:

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with a bladder issue who regularly require a toilet
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Apr 2025

Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?

A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Scottish Enlightenment Walking Tour in Edinburgh will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

Mar 2024