The Royal West End Walking Tour in Elgin promises a captivating exploration of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Priced at just $18.54 per person, this 2-hour tour takes participants on a journey through significant landmarks, uncovering fascinating stories from the past. From the connection to King Macbeth to the execution site of criminals, the tour offers engaging insights that bring Elgin’s architectural beauty to life. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this walking tour provides a unique opportunity to discover the hidden gems of the Royal West End.
Key Points
- The walking tour covers historical highlights of Elgin, including the site of Elgin Castle, the well where holy water was collected, and the execution site for criminals.
- The tour provides cultural insights into Elgin’s history, such as the childhood home of author Jessie Kesson, the town’s history of alcohol smuggling, and the feud between the Wolf of Badenoch and the Bishop of Moray.
- The tour lasts 2 hours and is available in English and Spanish, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
- Participants are recommended to wear comfortable shoes, bring a camera, and dress in weather-appropriate clothing, with the meeting point at the benches and old dry fountain at the hospital’s old driveway.
- The tour is priced at $18.54 per person, and no upfront payment is required to reserve a spot.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour offers visitors a chance to explore the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Explore Elgin’s rich history and cultural heritage on The Royal West End Walking Tour.
Priced from $18.54 per person, the 2-hour tour is available in English and Spanish. Guests can enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund and reserve their spot without upfront payment.
The tour covers historical highlights like Elgin Castle, the execution site, and King MacBeth’s involvement. Cultural insights include the Wolf of Badenoch, alcohol smuggling, and preserved architecture.
Comfortable shoes, a camera, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Looking for more options in Elgin Scotland? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
Historical Highlights
On this guided walking tour, visitors will explore Elgin’s rich history. They will visit the site of Elgin Castle and learn about its destruction. Travelers will discover the well where holy water was collected for Elgin Cathedral and hear about King MacBeth’s involvement in the city’s past. The tour also covers the truth about King Duncan and the execution site where criminals met their fate, including a hangman’s dramatic escape.
| Historical Highlights | |
|———————-|——————-|
| Elgin Castle | Destroyed |
| Holy Water Well | Elgin Cathedral |
| King MacBeth | Elgin History |
| King Duncan | Truth |
| Execution Site | Hangman’s Escape |
Cultural Insights
Along With the historical highlights, the guided walking tour also provides insights into Elgin’s rich cultural heritage.
Visitors can see the street where author Jessie Kesson lived as a child, learning about her literary contributions. The tour explores Elgin’s history of alcohol smuggling during prohibition.
Discover the literary legacy of author Jessie Kesson and uncover Elgin’s illicit history of alcohol smuggling during prohibition.
Attendees will view rescued stonework from historical buildings and the old shop signage dating back to the 1600s. The statue of The Wolf of Badenoch offers a glimpse into the feud between this nobleman and the Bishop of Moray.
The cultural insights deepen the understanding of Elgin’s vibrant past.
Tour Itinerary
Visitors to the Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour will first visit the monument dedicated to the Duke of Gordon, a prominent historical figure in the region.
Next, the tour explores the Royal Hunting Lodge, used after Elgin Castle’s destruction in the 1300s.
Finally, you will have the opportunity to:
-
Capture historical sites and beautiful architecture with their cameras.
-
Learn about the legacy of the Duke of Gordon and the Royal Hunting Lodge.
-
Appreciate the rich history and cultural heritage of Elgin.
Throughout the tour, the guide’s expertise brings the city’s past to life.
More Great Tours NearbyPreparation and Meeting Point
To prepare for the Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour, visitors should bring comfortable shoes, a camera, and weather-appropriate clothing.
The tour meeting point is the benches and an old dry fountain at the bottom of the old driveway for the hospital.
Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves significant walking.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the tour involves significant walking.
Checking the weather forecast and dressing accordingly is also recommended to ensure a comfortable experience during the 2-hour guided walking tour.
Exploring Elgin Castle’s History
While exploring Elgin’s history on the guided walking tour, visitors will learn about the site of Elgin Castle and its destruction.
The tour covers three key details about the castle:
-
Elgin Castle was a powerful fortress that stood for centuries before its eventual downfall.
-
The castle was largely destroyed in the 14th century during a feud between the Bishop of Moray and the Wolf of Badenoch.
-
The ruins of the castle are now a mere shadow of their former grandeur, but the walking tour brings its history to life.
The Wolf of Badenoch and the Bishop of Moray
Although the Bishop of Moray and the Wolf of Badenoch were powerful figures in medieval Elgin, their feud led to the destruction of the once-mighty Elgin Castle.
The Wolf, Alexander Stewart, was a ruthless nobleman who clashed with the Bishop over land and influence. In 1390, the Wolf’s forces attacked and burned down the cathedral and town, leaving Elgin in ruins.
Alexander Stewart, the ruthless Wolf of Badenoch, attacked and burned Elgin’s cathedral and town in 1390, leaving the once-mighty city in ruins.
This act of vengeance against the Bishop highlighted the violent power struggles of the time.
Today, the statue of the Wolf stands as a reminder of Elgin’s tumultuous past and the consequences of unchecked ambition and rivalry between medieval lords.
Discovering Elgin’s Rich Heritage
Beyond the tale of the Wolf of Badenoch’s infamous feud, Elgin’s heritage offers a wealth of captivating historical insights.
On the guided walking tour, visitors can:
-
Discover the site of the former Elgin Castle and learn about its destruction.
-
Explore the well where holy water was collected for the historic Elgin Cathedral.
-
Uncover the truth behind the involvement of King MacBeth and King Duncan in Elgin’s past.
As the tour weaves through the streets, it also showcases the city’s cultural richness, from the childhood home of author Jessie Kesson to the remnants of old shop signage dating back to the 1600s.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Tour if I Don’t Want to Do the Full 2 Hours?
The tour is 2 hours long, but participants can choose to do a shorter version. There’s a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for flexibility in the tour duration.
Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the walking tour. The tour focuses on exploring historical sites and landmarks, and for the safety and comfort of all participants, only service animals are permitted.
Are There Any Restroom Facilities Along the Tour Route?
There are public restroom facilities available at the tour’s starting point. However, there may not be restrooms along the walking route itself. Participants should plan accordingly and inquire about the nearest facilities if needed during the tour.
Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?
The tour is not fully wheelchair accessible. There may be some uneven terrain and stairs along the route. Participants with mobility needs should contact the tour operator in advance to discuss any accessibility accommodations.
Can I Extend the Tour to See More of Elgin’s Attractions?
You can extend the tour to see more of Elgin’s attractions. The tour operator offers customized options that allow you to explore additional historic sites, cultural landmarks, and scenic areas around the city, tailored to your interests and schedule.
The Sum Up
The Elgin: The Royal West End Walking Tour offers a captivating 2-hour exploration of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Priced at just $18.54 per person, this tour promises engaging insights, free cancellation up to 24 hours, and a unique opportunity to capture Elgin’s architectural beauty. Whether you’re interested in the connection to King Macbeth or the execution site of criminals, this tour has a lot to offer.
You can check availability for your dates here: