Edinburgh’s New Town is straight out of a world history of architecture, with its classical beauty and Georgian past. If you’re interested in hearing more about it then join me, an architecture tutor and tour guide, on this informative walking tour. In 90 minutes, we’ll learn how Edinburgh became the largest planned town development in the world – and a model city – and in what sense its design and layout made it architecturally ideal.

Although its original Georgian fabric has suffered many alterations, I’ll show you several clear traces of the former neoclassical city. I’ll point out the often overlooked details in the fanlights and elegant ironwork of the original New Town street lights. I’ll tell you about the 1767 masterplan drawn by the young James Craig, show you buildings by celebrated British architects like Robert Adam and share old maps and drawings with you. Together, we’ll unfold the cultural context of the Scottish Enlightenment and dive into the economic and political influence of the union between Scotland and England.

You can look forward to seeing:

• The only villa in New Town
• One of the first semi-detached houses in Scotland
• My favourite urban sequence in Edinburgh
• The first planned square in the city

Along the way, I’ll also answer questions like:

• What guided the designers of the New Town?
• To what extent were the New Towners’ fortunes connected to slavery?
• Why was so much of the now listed Georgian New Town demolished?
• Why won't Edinburgh clean its blackened sandstone facades?

Join me for dramatic, breathtaking landscapes, streets lined with palatial tenements – yes, tenements! – and discover detailed and easy-to-miss features on the city’s best-preserved buildings.

Hello there! My name is Olga, I am a designer and an architecture tutor here at Edinburgh University. I am also a founder of a tour company Cobble Tales.

At Cobble Tales, local architects and architecture students have been guiding enthusiasts and professionals, visitors and locals since 2016. Our many 5-star Tripadvisor and Google reviews testify to our quality tour content and a great time exploring Edinburgh on a walking tour.

I love showing off Edinburgh's beauty and chatting about buildings, so let's get going!