
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Edinburgh Trail: The University Years
Walking Tour
About the Tour
This walking tour takes you on a journey through Robert Louis Stevenson’s university years, when he readied himself for a career as a writer instead of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a lighthouse engineer.
We’ll explore Edinburgh’s Gothic Old Town, which has a dark side that inspired some of Stevenson’s best loved writing. We’ll end the tour at Canongate Kirk where Scotland’s three great Roberts – Burns, Fergusson and Stevenson – became forever connected.
Your narrator is John Shedden, one of Scotland’s legends of the stage and screen, and the multi-talented Vincent Guy is the voice of Stevenson reading snippets from his writing.
Stevenson eventually left Edinburgh, never to return. But he was forever inspired by his memories of home.
On this tour, you can look forward to hearing about:
• Stevenson’s brief career as an advocate
• The inspirations for Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde
• Stevenson’s views on Edinburgh and its weather
• The inspirations for The Deacon Brodie and Body Snatcher
• The inspiration for Long John Silver from Treasure Island
• Stevenson’s connection to Rabbie Burns and Robert Fergusson
This tour is part of a series of walks around Edinburgh dedicated to the life of the celebrated author. You can find the others by search under Edinburgh or by selecting my author profile and seeing all my tours there.
Tour Producer

Martin White
Major Landmarks
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St Giles Cathedral
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Parliament Square
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Greyfriars Kirk
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The Old College Quad at Edinburgh University
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The old Royal Infirmary
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Canongate Kirk
Directions to Starting Point
Begins at Advocates Close, on the Royal Mile directly opposite St Giles Cathedral
Tips
Places to stop along the way
St Giles Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh University
Best time of day
Daytime is best.
Precautions
The area is safe. Be careful when crossing roads.
I loved this tour. Even as an Edinburgh resident I learned lots of local history and enjoyed the route which took in some lovely spots in the city.
Very interesting and informative tour around the RLS places of influence in Edinburgh’s old town. Great way to see the older side of Edinburgh.