Edinburgh Custom Highlights Tour Review: Hidden Gems Uncovered
Okay, so you’re thinking of visiting Edinburgh, right? It’s almost definitely got that pull with the old castle, mysterious streets, and stories hanging about the place. Still, touring can feel a bit… cookie-cutter. Now that the ‘Edinburgh Custom Highlights Hidden Gems Tour with a Local’ came up, I was instantly interested. After all, is there really a better way to get to know a city than through someone who knows every nook and cranny? In short, this write up shares my take after getting to actually try it out for myself.
What to Expect from a “Custom Highlights” Tour
You’re possibly wondering, what makes a tour “custom,” anyway? In this situation, it basically points to you actually having input into the route. Typically, most tours hit the regular spots: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, perhaps a quick glimpse of Holyrood Palace. Now this particular option allows you to shift things a bit, very slightly adjust the focus toward particular spots. The thing that sold me seems to be how personal you are able to make it; If you’re passionate with street photography, the plan shifts towards locations with a bit of artistic flair. Very interested in local eats? No worries, expect some tasty stops at smaller food spots. The general idea happens to be making sure you actually see what excites you, rather than passively following the crowds.
I also made it pretty clear, as I was saying, that I wasn’t too interested in hearing the same old historical dates for the hundredth time. Rather, I like hearing smaller stories, daily-life details. Guess what? My guide seemed prepared, so the stories that he shared felt super fresh. That stuff isn’t something you always get off a scripted tour. It’s almost the sort of insider knowledge that makes a place genuinely interesting.
Meeting Your Local Guide
Meeting your guide just might be the best part of this adventure. Anyway, I met Hamish, who truly came across as the sort of person who knew everybody and every place. Not only was he prepared, so he listened, and quickly figured out the sort of things I wanted to see. He just was actually nice from the jump.
Hamish happens to be full of great recommendations about what’s going on that specific week and other details. Turns out, there definitely were quite a few fringe events and pop up shops occurring. I feel like a big thing you want in a guide is that they can actually adapt. Guides need the skill set of going from plan-A to plan-B super quick, really just based on what their group actually loves. I reckon you know what I’m talking about there.
Hamish took great pride in knowing quite a bit about Edinburgh and loving the details surrounding it. So many know the castle, yet how many show that tiny café around the corner, just for its atmosphere, that the locals love? That may actually be what you gain in a guide – seeing stuff you wouldn’t otherwise notice all by your lonesome.
Hidden Gems We Uncovered
It is also worth giving you a few specific places that made an impression. So Dean Village came up in our talk. Often people rush on past to more promoted things. Now this spot just happens to be like stepping back in time – and in short I could have spent hours walking that gorgeous waterside path.
Next on the menu? Arguably, there seems to be lots of wee wynds, hidden lanes scattered across Old Town. He brought me down a bunch I’d never have discovered just all by my own, tiny spaces filled with, surprisingly, history. One of the best involved a spot once, in fact, used by graverobbers; definitely, it’s not that’s listed on any standard tourist guide. In this case, Hamish very slightly spun tales that got pretty weird. So, it’s perfect.
As I was saying, he also understood my request regarding trying some authentic food. Basically, we did try some local pastries in a spot many regular tours never go. Arguably it makes such a great memory by going to those types of off-the-track places.
What Makes it Different from Other Tours?
It goes without saying that Edinburgh probably doesn’t have a shortage of walking tours, yet here’s some pieces which makes this particular type stand out: Typically flexibility is what it’s really all concerning. Your input does in fact adjust how a tour moves ahead.
Another big benefit? You are likely to get an actually intimate knowledge of what your are viewing. Arguably bigger tour parties make this kind of individualized focus nearly impossible. Personal interactions with the guide seems to be way more fruitful when the crowd is just not really overly massive. At that point, they almost have to manage and take into account more of their charges.
Still, another benefit needs a mention: just the joy of going outside those familiar destinations. A ton of tours might brush through hidden gems for the sake of ticking boxes; this adventure permits you truly appreciating them. Those wee off-the-path experiences end up actually leaving big effects in a tour like this one. After all you would not have ever known to stop there by yourself.
Is This Tour Right for You?
It could well be that this format isn’t appropriate for everybody. Groups preferring firmly structured itineraries probably will do better sticking with a traditional pre-organized tour. At the same time, so are there a handful of situations which could certainly love this style of customized outing? Let us briefly break down some ideal travelers for such an approach:
- Solo Adventurers: Wandering all by yourself, the truly individualized methodology may well make it simple adapting towards whatever actually catches you. Freedom goes hand-in-hand in discovering as you walk without needing to consider other people’s preferences, right?
- Couples: Exploring collectively yet need specifically what really tickles each of you? Changing the speed of those locations to suit mutually-shared fascinations turns out definitely being possible.
- Repeat Visitors: Are you coming back to the city? Possibly those well-known destinations might seem, surprisingly, less enticing the second or third run. Now concentrate regarding aspects missed before using fresh point of view offered thanks to that informed native individual!
- Photographers and Artists: Getting brought straight towards amazing photograph options or perhaps unknown galleries does in fact dramatically improve both skill development also creative inspiration through bypassing usual tourist areas that basically are lacking appeal under many perspectives.
Practical Information
You’re possibly thinking what details ought be thought by yourself now for scheduling those outings. Arguably many of them involve standard planning, then a bit about what would customize points on it: It should not actually shock people though some scheduling ahead will always greatly help ensuring access even on off-peak instances because local tutorials appear frequently demanded. Begin contacting weeks before desired traveling occasion as they apparently accommodate particular appointments fairly promptly!
Have some suggestions. Make it crystal, crystal very clear which part you wish especially focused with through tour. Don’t think twice at asking just what else are usually conceivable based upon weather constraints too seasonal openings (since particular attractions are commonly inaccessible certain weeks etc)
Think regarding proper gown along cozy footwear while trekking. Weather through Scotland almost could quite often transform really speedily – layering tends staying clever; that kind’s allowing changes quickly due adapting. And don’t discount cozy sneakers particularly regarding rocky areas etc…
Final Thoughts: My Personal Take
My whole adventure with those customized sightseeing actually had overwhelmingly beneficial outcomes by and large personally speaking! Arguably Hamish seemed super prepared plus knew virtually precisely just how tailor trips perfectly meeting my distinct desires from beginning entirely finishing – producing truly unparalleled insights that frequently standard itineraries would obviously simply merely move best earlier devoid thorough research or even complete knowledge!
It did certainly enrich our knowledge dramatically providing deeper admiration with just not truly mainstream stuff nevertheless more personal anecdotes connected inside normal routine people have always experienced on those lands decades backwards etc… In brief- that almost actually altered the viewpoint relating solely experiencing merely viewing; yet additionally emotionally being bound owing profound respect using those customs and heritages as they may stand over lifetimes. When going through Edinburgh think concerning exploring something similar just getting definitely unusual understanding.