Two professional actors perform a scripted literary debate through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Town. The performance is included, but drinks are bought separately. 4.56 from 513 reviews at €30 per person for 2h.
Join the intrepid duo, Clart (as in muck!) and our clean-hankied intellectual Mcbrain, who will lead you on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Town. A Hilarious duel of wits across three hundred years of great writing and colourful characters.
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour incorporates a dramatic script performed by two professional actors, not tour guides reading from books. The tour reaches beyond the well-known figures of Burns, Scott and Stevenson and includes some of the most colourful, literary characters who have added humour and wit throughout the ages to the unique tavern life of The Old and The New Town.
This award winning Tour was the first literary tour launched in Edinburgh in 1996! It has since carried more than 500,000 satisfied customers on a dramatic literary trail across Edinburgh. It's regarded by many as a pioneer, and a "Must-see" cultural attraction in guide books throughout the world.
This tour runs Fri, Sun, departing at 19:30. It runs year-round. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.
Look out for our Ticketing person wearing bright vest. The tour starts up the stairs at The Beehive on the top floor. Feel free to purchase a drink at the bar beforehand and bring it upstairs with you to enjoy the first scene!
Open in Google MapsThe end point of the tour varies depending on group size and weather etc but generally we aim to finish up in The West-End in "The New Town". Please drop us an email if you need to know in advance or speak with our actors on the night.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| 1+ days | Full refund |
| 0-1 days | No refund |
| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This tour · #6 of 6 | €30 | 2h | 4.56 (513) | shared |
| Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh | €21 | 2h | 4.89 (2353) | shared |
| Edinburgh: Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting | €54 | 2h | 4.92 (310) | shared |
| Thirsty for Edinburgh: Scotlands Best Historical Pub Tour | €34 | 3h | 5.0 (33) | shared |
Ranked #6 of 6 in Pub Tours & Pub Crawls by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €18 to €54, median €26; typical length 2h 30m. 0 of 6 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 6 Pub Tours & Pub Crawls