Edinburgh Audio Tours & City Guides Edinburgh speaks.
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Edinburgh: Where ancient history whispers through cobbled lanes and modern life thrives in the shadow of volcanic peaks.

Two Self-Guided Audio Tours to rediscover Edinburgh

A first taste of the best stories the city has to offer. Many more tours are waiting for you.

Shadows and Sovereigns: The Royal Mile's Hidden Spine – Edinburgh Audio-Tour
Tour 01
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Image by Gary Todd on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Shadows and Sovereigns: The Royal Mile's Hidden Spine

Discover the profound duality of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. While the main thoroughfare showcases grand processions and royal power, the narrow, hidden closes branching off it reveal a secret world of cramped tenements, unsolved murders, and the resilient lives of ordinary people. Join Max and local historian Elisa as they guide you down the spine of the Old Town, from the imposing fortress of Edinburgh Castle to the grand Palace of Holyroodhouse, uncovering the architectural evolution and dramatic social stratification of this ancient city.

8 Stops
116 Min
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Flesh and Bone: The Burke & Hare Murders – Edinburgh Audio-Tour
Tour 02
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Image by Richard Webb on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Flesh and Bone: The Burke & Hare Murders

Step into the shadows of 19th-century Edinburgh, a city split between Enlightenment brilliance and desperate, grinding poverty. On this immersive true-crime journey, you will trace the bloody footsteps of William Burke and William Hare, two men who turned murder into a highly profitable business. Discover how the insatiable demands of the medical establishment created a black market for human corpses, and explore the chilling ethical lines crossed in the name of science. This is not just a story of serial killers; it is a tale of class, complicity, and the forgotten victims of the Old Town.

6 Stops
94 Min
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Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
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Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
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Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
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Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
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Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
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Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
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Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Discover Edinburgh – Stories Worth Hearing

Red Thread is an iOS and Android app with over 1,500 guided audio tours through cities worldwide - including in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a city of dramatic contrasts, where the medieval Old Town's closes and wynds tumble down from the imposing Edinburgh Castle, meeting the elegant Georgian architecture of the New Town. Beyond its iconic landmarks like St Giles' Cathedral or the Grassmarket, you'll find that many of its narrow, winding 'closes' off the Royal Mile were once active thoroughfares, each hiding layers of history, from forgotten workshops to scandalous secrets. This dual nature, visible in its very street plan, invites you to peel back centuries of stories.

From the grandeur of Holyrood Palace to the darker corners of West Port where infamy once lurked, Edinburgh's stones speak volumes. Our audio tours transform your strolls into immersive journeys, guiding you through the 'hidden backbone' of the Royal Mile or unraveling the chilling saga of Burke & Hare, making the city's rich past a palpable part of your present experience.

Edinburgh Highlights
  • Explore the historic Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle
  • Uncover chilling tales in the atmospheric Old Town
  • Experience UNESCO heritage, for locals and visitors alike
  • Marvel at panoramic views from Arthur's Seat

Start for free – Premium from €12.99/month. Compare all plans →

Learn more about Red Thread

Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh

General questions about the app, pricing and features are answered in our full FAQ on the main page.

How long do your Edinburgh audio tours take?
Our "Shadows and Sovereigns: The Hidden Backbone of the Royal Mile" tour is approximately 116 minutes, while "Flesh and Bone: The Burke & Hare Murders" is around 94 minutes, allowing you to choose based on your schedule.
Can I explore the Royal Mile's hidden alleys mentioned in your tours?
Absolutely! Our Royal Mile tour specifically guides you through many of the fascinating 'closes' and 'wynds' that branch off the main thoroughfare, revealing their unique histories.
Are the tours suitable for all ages, especially the Burke & Hare one?
While "Shadows and Sovereigns" is generally suitable for all, the "Burke & Hare" tour deals with mature themes and might be unsettling for younger listeners or those sensitive to true crime stories.
Can I create my own tours in Edinburgh?
Yes, with the XL or Unlimited subscription you can use our AI-powered tour creator to build your own personalized tour in Edinburgh on a topic of your choice. All Infos here
Can I use the Edinburgh tours offline?
Yes, with an XL or Unlimited subscription you can download tours for offline use.
Can I do Edinburgh tours together with friends?
Yes – with Together Mode (from XL plan) the whole group listens in sync on their own devices. Up to 4 people on XL, up to 10 on Unlimited.
In which other cities does Red Thread offer tours?
Further tours are available in 100s more cities like Cape Town, Tokyo, Reykjavík. All cities can be found here.
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