Walking tours in Elgin pack centuries of Scottish history into compact, well-organized experiences. The most worthwhile options include the High Street Graveyard Tour, combining ancient burial grounds with stunning architecture, and the fascinating Royal West End Tour, which brings to life tales of castle ruins and clever smugglers. History buffs will appreciate the Anderson Tour‘s poignant story of nobility-to-poverty, while the sobering Witch Trials Tour examines Scotland’s dark period of persecution. The standout experience remains the Elgin Cathedral Tours, offering both external and internal views of Scotland’s most impressive medieval ruins. Let’s explore the top recommended tours for visitors.
Key Points
- The Elgin High Street Graveyard Walking Tour offers a 2-hour exploration of the oldest graveyard in Elgin, including architectural highlights and historical stories.
- The Elgin Royal West End Walking Tour covers the destruction of Elgin Castle and the roles of King MacBeth and King Duncan, with a focus on prohibition-era alcohol smuggling.
- The Elgin Anderson Tour provides a unique historical perspective by highlighting the story of Marjory Gilzean, a noblewoman turned homeless, and the success of her son.
- The Elgin Witch Trials Tour covers the grim details of witch trials in the 1600s, including historical insights and trial reenactments for an immersive experience.
- The Elgin Cathedral Tours, both exterior and interior guided, offer insights into the cathedral’s history since 1224 and its decline after the Protestant Reformation.
Elgin: High Street Graveyard Walking Tour
As you stroll down Elgin’s High Street, you’ll be transported back in time to discover the town’s rich history on the Elgin High Street Graveyard Walking Tour.
This 2-hour tour, priced at $17.60 per person, guides you through the oldest graveyard in Elgin, often overlooked by locals.
Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour highlights architectural gems, including an 1820s mosaic floor, and explores the historical context of the streets before modern plumbing.
You’ll learn about the infamous “Ladies of the Night” in the 1800s and hear tales of Hanoverian soldiers passing through en route to Culloden.
The tour also covers the ghostly legend of a poltergeist who threw produce at unsuspecting staff.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this wheelchair-accessible tour offers an engaging and informative glimpse into Elgin’s past.
With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, you can reserve your spot now and pay later.
Don’t miss this chance to uncover the hidden gems and haunting stories of Elgin’s High Street.
Read our full review: Elgin: High Street Graveyard Walking Tour Review
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Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour
Enjoy the captivating history of Elgin’s Royal West End on this engaging 2-hour walking tour. Priced from just Kč 425 per person, this tour offers a wealth of historical insights, from the destruction of Elgin Castle to the truth behind King MacBeth and King Duncan’s involvement in the town’s past.
Along the way, you’ll visit the site of Elgin’s execution scaffold, hear tales of a hangman’s daring escape, and learn about the region’s prohibition-era alcohol smuggling.
Highlights include the well where holy water was collected for Elgin Cathedral, the Chapel of Our Lady Mary, and the monument dedicated to the Duke of Gordon.
With the option to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the ability to reserve your spot and pay later, this tour provides a flexible and hassle-free way to uncover the rich history of Elgin’s Royal West End.
Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather – this tour involves significant walking and takes place rain or shine.
Read our full review: Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour Review
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Elgin: The Anderson Tour
Elgin’s Anderson Tour offers a captivating exploration of the town’s history, centered around the remarkable story of Marjory Gilzean. This 2-hour tour, priced from $17.60 per person, is available in English and Spanish and is wheelchair accessible.
Guests will discover Marjory’s tale – a noble woman who became homeless after secretly marrying a Hanoverian soldier against her father’s wishes.
Visitors will learn about Marjory’s struggles, including living in doorways and abandoned structures, and the superstitions that protected her in an old toll booth for 10 years. The tour also highlights the success story of Marjory’s son, who rose to wealth.
Significant locations related to Marjory’s life are explored, providing a unique historical perspective.
The meeting point features a bronze pyramid depicting Elgin’s history, and transportation to and from the starting point is included.
Guests are encouraged to bring a camera and wear weather-appropriate clothing, though pets, aside from service animals, aren’t permitted.
Read our full review: Elgin: The Anderson Tour Review
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Elgin: Witch Trials Tour
This 2-hour Elgin: Witch Trials Tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the town’s dark history during the 1600s. Priced from $22.88 per person, the tour is available in English and Spanish and is wheelchair accessible. Guests can reserve their spot without upfront payment and enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Along the mile-long walking tour, you will uncover the grim details of the witch trials and torture that occurred. They’ll follow the trail of accused witches to various trial locations, learning about the accusations and horrific treatment endured. Historical insights and trial reenactments are included to provide an immersive experience.
Comfortable shoes, water, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. The tour meets at a stone pillar with nearby benches, and mobility aids are welcome. Pets, aside from assistance dogs, aren’t allowed.
With an impressive 5/5 rating based on 2 reviews, this tour promises an informative and memorable exploration of Elgin’s haunting past.
Read our full review: Elgin: Witch Trials Tour Review
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Elgin: Cathedral Exterior Tour
Visitors to Elgin can embark on a captivating 2-hour Cathedral Exterior Tour, delving into the rich history of this iconic landmark. This tour, available in English and Spanish, offers a glimpse into the cathedral’s past, from its construction in 1224 to its transformation into a visitor attraction in the early 1800s.
Along the way, guests will learn about the cathedral’s decline after the Protestant Reformation, including tales of two fires, battles, disputes with Royals, and the Covenanters Reformation leading to abandonment and ruins.
The guided tour also covers graveyard etiquette and the locations of burials, providing a unique perspective on the cathedral’s history. Priced from $17.60 per person, this experience is easily accessible, with a wheelchair-friendly meeting point at the gates of Elgin Cathedral.
Visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for uneven ground. With a 5/5 rating based on a single review praising the tour guide’s engaging storytelling and humor, this cathedral exterior tour promises an enriching and memorable experience.
Read our full review: Elgin: Cathedral Exterior Tour Review
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Elgin: Cathedral Interior Guided Tour
Embarking on the Elgin Cathedral Interior Guided Tour, visitors can expect a captivating 2-hour exploration of this iconic Scottish landmark. Priced at Kč 850 per person, the tour offers access to the cathedral’s richly carved chapter house ceiling, painted angels from the 1470s, and a grave effigy from 1298 with original paint.
Guests will also see Scotland’s Tallest Gravestone and two types of Mort Safes, as well as musket ball holes left by Cromwell’s men. Led by experienced guides in English or Spanish, the tour delves into local history, including the transformation of a homeless lady into wealth.
Visitors can explore the graveyard’s decorated tombs from the 1600s onwards and learn about the use of incense in churches and the impact of social standing on burial locations.
With a 5/5 rating based on two positive reviews, this guided experience promises an informative and entertaining journey through Elgin Cathedral’s storied past.
Read our full review: Elgin: Cathedral Interior Guided Tour Review
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Sum Up
Elgin offers a variety of walking tours that provide insights into its rich history and culture. From the historic High Street Graveyard to the captivating Cathedral, visitors can explore the town’s architectural gems and uncover the stories that have shaped its past. Whether you’re interested in the paranormal or seeking a deeper understanding of Elgin’s heritage, these tours offer a memorable and educational experience.