Scottish stories, Polish humour
Welcome to Scotland By Sonia, your friendly guide to exploring Edinburgh. From walks around the Old Town and the Castle, to Harry Potter inspirations and after-hours Horror Tours, I aim to provide tailored, top-quality experiences that are 100% worth your time and money - all with a sprinkle of that famous dark Slavic humour. :)
Tours Offered
Tours presently operate on a private basis - simply reach out in the contact form and we’ll fix up a date. :) If you’re looking to join a public tour, I co-operate with several walking tour companies in the city, and I’m happy to share my upcoming tours if you enquire. If you’re interested in combining 2 or more tours, let me know too!
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Old Town Private Tour - recommended 2-3 hours (£120-£180)
Think of it as your “Edinburgh Starter Pack”, covering history, culture, local recommendations for food, attractions, shopping and more; 100% tailored to your preferences.
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Dark History Private Tour- recommended 1.5-3 hours (£90-£180)
Okay, don’t let the other tours hear me say this - but this one’s my favourite. You’ve probably seen dozens of Ghost tours in the city. This isn’t one of them. Buckle up and get ready to call your therapist after - it’s about to get real dark.
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Harry Potter Private Tour - recommended 2hrs (£120)
I’m sure you’ve noticed the abundance of Harry Potter experiences in Edinburgh. So what’s the big deal? Is it worth it? My answer - yes, if it’s with the right tour guide. I’m a huge fan of the books, they’ve been my comfort read since 6th grade, and I’ll happily take you on a 2-hour adventure revealing the truth and myths about J.K. Rowling’s life in Edinburgh and the inspirations behind the Potter universe.
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Edinburgh Castle Private Tour - recommended 1-1.5 hrs (£60-£90, excl. admission)
If the Castle is on your Edinburgh to-do list, the best way to see it is with a trusted guide. It’s a big complex of over 20 buildings with 13 (!) museums, which cover over 3000 years of history. To make the best out of the visit, having a good guide is essential.
See what other travellers think!
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J.K., United Kingdom
Our tour guide Sonia was excellent! The tour proved to be very interesting indeed and were led around with great efficiency and enthusiasm! It was my wife and I's first visit to Edinburgh and we'd highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to know more about this wonderful city. Thank you Sonia!
Tripadvisor (Scotland City Tours), Sept 2024
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Juliana L., United Kingdom
Sonia, You were amazing on the tour! Your explanations, Jokes, and way of interacting with the group were an eye-opener to how history should be taught at school!
Google Maps (Little Fish Tours), Feb 2024
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Alwina, Denmark
Amazing tour! Sonia was an amazing and (very) funny guide. Definitely a great story teller. The stories were just as gory as expected + we even got a QR code to a document with some extra pictures and recommendations for various activities that fit the spooky vibe. You will definitely get to know the dark side of Edinburghs history. I highly recommend the tour, if you are interested in all things horror.
Tripadvisor (Scotland City Tours), Oct 2024
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Elina, Finland
Our Guide Sonya (Sonja) was absolutely amazing and fun giving so much information about Edinburgh Castle. The tour was well planned and we had multiple time to get familiar with casle area and the museums (14!) after the tour! I really recommend this tour! :)
GetYourGuide (EDI Tours), Feb 2025
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Adam, United Kingdom
Despite the cold weather, Sonya kept us in good spirits with her warm wits and informative banter on the history and legends of Edinburgh Castle. An enjoyable walk and expert advice on how to best enjoy the parts of the castle open to individuals but not tour groups. Recommended if you enjoy history.
Google Maps (EDI Tours), Jan 2025
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Faustine, France
Sonia was a wonderful guide. She took care to speak softly because one of us was not bilingual (yes, we had a "private tour" because we were the only two registered on this cold Sunday morning in February :)), she taught us lots and lots of interesting and sometimes funny anecdotes, with a contagious good humor. She was very kind, we had a great time in her company, really, and we are delighted with this discovery of the castle through her explanations. Without her, it would not have had the same flavor. Book without hesitation, I would be surprised if you regret it. ;)
GetYourGuide (EDI Tours), Feb 2025
Get in touch
Interested in a tour? Plese fill out the contact form and I’ll be in touch as soon as possible. :)