Is the tour suitable for children and families?

Yes, the Real Women of Edinburgh tour welcomes all ages and offers engaging stories accessible to families.

How physically demanding is the tour?

The tour involves about two hours of walking on city pavements with minimal elevation, suitable for most fitness levels.

Are the guides trained in social issues as well as local history?

Yes, guides have lived experience related to homelessness and receive thorough training to offer both historical insight and community perspectives.

What if it rains during the tour?

The tour runs rain or shine, so dress appropriately—waterproof jackets or umbrellas are recommended.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins at Maggie Dickson’s pub and finishes near the Royal Mile, central landmarks within Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Can I book this tour as a private group?

Yes, Invisible Cities offers options for private bookings—contact them directly to arrange.

Historic Women’s Tours in Edinburgh with Invisible Cities | City Tour | Train

Edinburgh’s historic streets provide more than just stunning stone and cobblestone—they serve as a stage for stories rarely told. Invisible Cities Tours brings these narratives to life with their Real Women of Edinburgh walking tour, a two-hour journey that reveals the bold, complex, and often overlooked women who shaped the city’s history. Starting at Maggie Dickson’s pub, this immersive experience digs below the surface of traditional history, spotlighting figures ranging from Maggie Dickson herself, a woman famously executed and then revived, to pioneering authors and early female body snatchers who challenged societal norms.

Edinburgh’s Old Town, with its dense medieval architecture and gothic overtones, sets a gripping backdrop for these tales. The tour winds through the Grassmarket district and culminates near the Royal Mile, a historic artery packed with atmospheric alleys and centuries-old buildings. Along the route, you encounter not only the physical city but also a strong social mission: Invisible Cities is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering those affected by homelessness by training them as professional guides. This makes every tour a chance to support community resilience alongside cultural education.

What sets the Real Women of Edinburgh apart is its balance of vivid storytelling and tangible social impact. It challenges typical tourism narratives by centering female voices and offering guests a genuine connection to the city’s hidden layers. Whether you’re a history buff, social-conscious traveler, or simply looking for a unique cultural walk, the tour encourages reflection on both past injustices and present-day empowerment.

This isn’t just another sightseeing stroll—it’s a chance to see Edinburgh from a fresh perspective and contribute to a living, breathing community effort. With every step, you help rewrite history to include the stories of women whose lives resonate far beyond the city’s ancient walls.

About Invisible Cities Tours

Invisible Cities Tours is a social enterprise based in Aberdeen, Scotland, offering guided walking tours across multiple UK cities. The organisation specialises in city walks that blend local history, personal testimony and place-based storytelling. Tours include city-specific experiences such as Between Lectures and Legends: My Path Through Old Aberdeen, which starts and ends at 5 College Bounds; The Royal Mile: Edinburgh's Most Famous Street; Innovators and Inventors of Edinburgh; and a range of Manchester, Glasgow and York walks.

Guides are people with lived experience who share personal stories alongside historical facts. Some guides are trained from experiences of homelessness and use storytelling to connect visitors to architecture, social history and civic change. Tour lengths vary from one-hour Riverside Walking Tour in Glasgow to two-hour explorations like Innovators and Inventors of Edinburgh. Other offerings include themed walks such as Uncover Stories of Crime and Punishment, The Story of Guy Fawkes, and family-friendly and virtual options.

Invisible Cities Tours operates transparently as a social enterprise: revenue from tours supports work that empowers people affected by homelessness. The organisation partners with local communities and venues noted in its itineraries, including historic sites and public meeting places like the SEC and Maggie Dickson's pub. Each itinerary is rooted in factual research and lived experience to create engaging, educational visits.

Visitors choose Invisible Cities Tours for city walks that combine history, social impact and authentic local perspective. Booking is available online and details are provided for start points, durations and accessibility where applicable to visitors.