Edinburgh Bus Tours is driving fun for all the family in and around the city with the launch of its five-star lineup of seasonal tours.
As Scotland’s third most popular paid-for visitor attraction behind Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh Bus Tours’ five city tours, as well as The Forth Bridges and Bus Tour routes, provide a fantastic opportunity for natives to connect with the city and for visitors to hear all there is to know about Scotland’s capital.
From its Horrible Histories, world-heritage status and dramatic buildings to its legends and folklore, there is plenty to enjoy. Plus, you can save up to £12 with the multi-tour Grand and Royal tickets.
The tours, which are outlined below, have a new home, with routes now departing from St Andrew Square. While the red City Sightseeing bus and the Green Edinburgh Tour will continue to serve Waverley Bridge, all-size tours interchange at St Andrew Square.
City Sightseeing
The City Sightseeing tour experience takes in the very best of Edinburgh’s Old Town, visiting Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and taking in views from Calton Hill.
With entertaining and informative commentary available in nine languages, alongside the Horrible Histories commentary, it’s a quick and easy tour that’s great for kids and adults. Dedicated to Edinburgh’s gruesome past and based on Terry Deary’s bestselling series of kids’ novels, the Horrible Histories commentary, voiced by Edinburgh’s favourite pantomime villain Grant Stott, includes tales of the Grassmarket hangings, Nor Loch, Burke and Hare’s dastardly deeds and Dr David Livingstone being mauled by lions.
The ticket is valid for 24 hours and offers flexible hop-on, hop-off travel in and around the city centre, with a tour that takes in the very best of Edinburgh.
Forth Bridges Bus and Boat Tour
The Forth Bridges Bus and Boat Tour is welcomed back for the summer season. The tour includes a bus ride to South Queensferry and a cruise on the Firth of Forth. Visitors will take in the famous bridges and enjoy unrivalled views of Edinburgh and Fife’s coastlines. This is a great opportunity to see the wildlife on Edinburgh’s doorstep as seals and puffins can often be seen.
Inchcolm Island is another tour highlight, and there is the option to leave the boat to explore. Landing passes are available onboard the Forth Belle.
World Heritage Official Tour
This five-star bus tour guarantees to showcase more of Edinburgh than any other city tour, and brings Edinburgh’s history – a story of contrasting themes – to life.
With specially trained guides, Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour: A City of Contrasts tells tales of Edinburgh’s dramatic past and present, good and evil, nature and architecture, and fire and ice. As well as offering dramatic tales, dramatic sights include Fettes College – where James Bond was supposedly educated – and Dean Bridge. The tour also visits favourite sites including Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The tour lasts approximately one hour and 20 minutes.
Majestic Tour
The Majestic Bus Tour is top of the list when it comes to learning all there is to know about the history of the places, people and sights along the route.
Taking you on a journey from the city centre, through the New Town and out to the coast, this entertaining and informative tour takes in the New Town, Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia, Newhaven, Ocean Terminal and Leith as well as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Canongate.
Tours last for approximately one hour and start from 9.50am, with regular departures throughout the day.
MacTours
Experience Edinburgh’s Old Town on a vintage MacTours bus. Discover tales of royals, inventors, pioneers and villains with MacTours’ entertaining and knowledgeable guides.
Highlights include Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, North Bridge, Calton Hill, Dynamic Earth and Canongate.
Helen Adams, marketing manager for Edinburgh Bus Tours, said: “It’s an exciting time for Edinburgh Bus Tours with the launch of the new season’s tours. We had one of our best years on record in 2013, so are hoping our new routes and more regular buses will continue to delight our visitors.
“The Majestic and City Sightseeing Tours in particular are extremely popular with residents looking to learn more about their city and our Edinburgh Bus Tours’ free app for Apple and android also makes travel onboard the tour buses even easier, and helps visitors navigate their way round the city.
“We’re pleased to ensure our visitors see more for less with our Grand and Royal tickets, and add value with a range of exclusive discounts around the city for Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket holders.”
For more information on tour times as well as ticket prices and package offers, visit www.edinburghtour.com