Join Clart and McBrain, on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the wynds, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, performed by professional actors.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
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Duration 2 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English

Highlights

Enjoy a theatrical presentation of Edinburgh's literary heritage
Uncover the history of Edinburgh's many famous writers, including Sir Walter Scott
Learn about contemporary Scottish literature, like Harry Potter and Inspector Rebus

Full description

You will venture through Edinburgh's Old and New Town's led by the intrepid duo: Clart and the intellectual McBrain, who will take you on a brilliant and witty dramatic romp through the city's wynds (narrow paths), courtyards, and pubs.

Enjoy their hilarious duel of wits as they narrate the stories of Edinburgh's pubs and famous Scottish writers, from Sir Walter Scott to Robert Louis Stevenson right up to the present day addressing the writers of Harry Potter and Rebus.

As you stop in each pub for a drink, become immersed in a lively dialogue, spanning approximately 300 years of Scottish literary history. The award winning Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour was the first literary tour to be launched in Edinburgh in 1996.

It is regarded by many as a pioneer in its field and is performed by professional actors, not academics or tour guides. It represents great value for money and has a very high entertainment factor.

Includes

2-hour award-winning dramatic dialogue with two professional actors across a few hand-picked Edinburgh taverns

Food and drinks

Meeting point

Meet at Grassmarket, outside the Beehive Inn.

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Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card
Rain gear
Student card

Know before you go

Scottish Licensing law dictates that customers under 18 years of age are not allowed to enter the pubs

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 8 reviews

Review summary

Guide
5/5
Value for money
4.3/5
Service
4.5/5
Organization
4.5/5

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Interesting and entertaining

The tour is also very easy to understand for people with a little rusty English. The actors bring Scottish writers and poets closer to the participants in an entertaining way, even if most of them are not known as foreigners. We had a very entertaining evening. Even if it is a pub tour, there is no drinking requirement.

July 9, 2014

A review of scottish literature with 2 wonderful, enthusiastic actors

The tour was really interesting, even for someone who did not know much about Scottish literature. The 2 actors were exceptional and drove us through interesting areas of Edinburgh related with the main poets/novelists from the 17th to the present century. It was excellent, though cold at this hour of night … Could probably begin a bit earlier.

July 4, 2014

Fun and entertaining way to learn about the literary history of Scotland.

February 3, 2020

Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors"

Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors"

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Interesting and entertaining

A review of scottish literature with 2 wonderful, enthusiastic actors