Scottish stories, Polish humour

Welcome to Scotland By Sonia - here to take you on your very own private adventure around Edinburgh. I offer an array of experiences but my specialty is everything that’s a little… dark and creepy - and trust me, this is the darkest and creepiest city I’ve ever seen. You’ll find Dark History tours here, as well as Medicine-themed experiences, Witchcraft walks, Women’s History tours and more. I want you looking at Scotland’s capital with a different paid of eyes by the end - shocked, fascinated… and just a little bit scared ;)

Tours Offered

Tours presently operate on a private basis - simply reach out in the contact form and we’ll fix up a date. :) You can also use the booking page to speed up the process!

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, that’s possible too! Price per private tour: £60 per hour; duration up to you (usually 2hrs per tour, though please click on the tour you like for more info).

Horrible History - Dark Edinburgh Private Tour

Buckle up and get ready to call your therapist after - it’s about to get real dark. There are no silly Ghost stories on this tour - it’s 100% real. As the most comprehensive Dark History tour I offer, it has a bit of everything - plagues, robberies, body-snatching, serial killers, a bit about witchcraft… even cannibals - if you dare.
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Dreadful Doctors - Medical History Private Tour

Did you know that modern medicine pretty much came from Edinburgh? From anaesthesia, antiseptic surgery, the hypodermic needle, antibiotics, first ever specialised hospitals, bionic limbs, first ever cloned animal - it can all be traced back to the capital of Scotland. We’ll talk about the famous chloroform parties of James Young Simpson, how one surgeon had a 300% mortality rate, how serial killers helped develop modern medicine, and why you should think of Edinburgh every time you brush your teeth.
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Wicked Warlocks - The Scottish Witch Trials Private Tour

You’ve probably seen plenty of witchy tours around Edinburgh and wondered - what’s the deal with that? It’s not just about our history with Harry Potter, my friend - due to its unique presbyterian religion, Scotland holds the record for the most brutal and prolonged witch trials in modern history. Awful? Absolutely. But my God, is it fascinating to talk about, especially since the juiciest cases were tried right here in Edinburgh. You ready?
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Graduate, Gatecrash, Girlboss - Edinburgh Women's History Private Tour

Most Edinburgh tours are, let’s face it, a bit of a sausage-fest. But if you ever wondered what the female side of the story looks like… I’m here to help. And oh my God, does Edinburgh have array of absolute girlypop ICONS that I can’t wait to tell you about!
COMING SOON - learn more.
Real or Rumour? - Harry Potter Private Tour

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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Classic Old Town Private Tour

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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Edinburgh Castle Private Tour

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.
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See what other travellers think!

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
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
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
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
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
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