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Discover how Edinburgh inspired Conan Doyle when he wrote Sherlock Holmes during a private guided tour

Edinburgh history private guided tour tag 2

2h30-3h

In 1876, a young Conan Doyle joined the Edinburgh Medical school and became the assistant of Joseph Bell, a consulting doctor for Police Scotland. Discover the crimes and legends of Edinburgh which inspired Conan Doyle when he first invented Sherlock Holmes during a private, immersive tour. Did you know that the Sherlock's deductive process was based on Arthur Conan Doyle's medical studies at Surgeons' Hall? During this private tour, you will follow the author's footsteps through the winding streets of Edinburgh. You will discover what the city was like in the 19th century and learn about the medicine and justice of the time, as well as the crimes and murderers that fed the imagination of the young doctor's apprentice to create one of the greatest detectives of all time.


Tour Highlights:

  • Edinburgh's Dark Alleys: Walk through the narrow and mysterious closes and wynds of Edinburgh's Old Town, where shadows hide secrets waiting to be uncovered.

  • The Royal Mile: Stroll along the historic Royal Mile, discovering the locations that served as inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes adventures. Engage in a lively discussion about real people and events related to the famous detective.

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard: Discover how body snatchers used to steal bodies from the cemetery and how the serial killers Burke and Hare inspired Conan Doyle.

  • Grassmarket: At the bottom this 15th century market hangings took place, and their ghosts fuelled Conan Doyle's mysticism and beliefs in the afterlife.

Price

1 participant: £180

2 participants: £90 each

3 participants: £60 each

4 participants: £45 each

5 participants: £36 each

6 participants: £30 each

7 participants: £26 each

Contact us for groups over 7 people


  • Children under 3 are free

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Email info@tddsscots.com to check our availability. This activity runs everyday between 09:00 and 18:00

Meeting Point

Tupiniquim, Edinburgh, UK

Minimum Age

None - however for families with children under 7 we recommend our Spooky guided tour of Edinburgh for kids

Fitness Requirements

Low / Guests should be able to walk 3h (under 7km of walking distance)

Wheelchair accessibility: The tour is wheelchair accessible – however, note that there will be steep slopes

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation with full refund until 7 days before the start of the tour. Non refundable afterwards.

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