Women Hidden in Plain Sight: Uncovering Edinburgh’s Old Town

(12 reviews)

Edinburgh audio tour: Women Hidden in Plain Sight: Uncovering Edinburgh’s Old Town

This is a 1.5mi walking tour

It takes an average of 90 mins to complete.

Edinburgh

The United Kingdom

$19.99

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About the Tour

Edinburgh’s historic Old Town has countless stories of remarkable women whose lives were overlooked by history or deliberately erased from its pages. On this 60-minute walking tour, you’ll peel back the layers of the city’s past, and hear about the queens, activists, and innovators who shaped Scotland’s capital.

The tour starts at the famous graveyard, Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you’ll hear about some of the trailblazing women who left their mark on the city. As you wander through Edinburgh’s historic alleyways, I’ll tell you fascinating stories about extraordinary women, from medieval queens, affluent heiresses, and rulebreakers, to the abolitionist Eliza Wigham, whose influence resonates further down the Royal Mile.

You’ll hear some of the chilling legends behind The Real Mary King’s Close and celebrate Flora MacDonald’s heroic rescue of Bonnie Prince Charlie after his Jacobite army suffered a crushing defeat. The tour ends outside the Scottish Parliament, where you’ll have an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of women in the country’s political and cultural landscape.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

Explore the story behind Mary King, the namesake of The Real Mary King's Close
Celebrate Flora MacDonald's heroic rescue of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Jacobite defeat
Admire the Palace of Holyroodhouse, symbol of Edinburgh's royal heritage, and uncover the secret to knowing if a royal is in residence
Encounter Margaret, Queen of Scotland, and Mary, Queen of Scots—remarkable figures whose lives are tied to Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral
Learn about Maria Theresa Short, the innovative woman behind the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Walk down Castlehill to the Witches Well and reflect on the hundreds of women executed for suspected witchcraft between 1479 and 1722
Discover Edinburgh's landmarks through a feminist historical lens, uncovering untold stories and hidden connections.
Hear the heartwarming tale of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier, connecting to the broader human stories of the city

Join me for an unforgettable journey that brings to light the untold stories of Edinburgh’s remarkable women, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s rich history and enduring legacy.

Tour Producer

Anna Dowling-Clarke

1 tour

Hi, I’m Anna—a proud Edinburgh native with a love for exploring new places. I’ve had the chance to live and work in several countries, including the Netherlands, where I earned a Master’s degree in Art History. After a few years working in the commercial art sector, I decided to follow my passion and start my own platform, WHIPS: Women Hidden in Plain Sight.

Inspired by a research project on forgotten historical women patrons of art, WHIPS celebrates the remarkable achievements of women throughout history. Through our thoughtfully curated tours, we illuminate the lives of women whose stories have been obscured, forgotten, or intentionally erased, ensuring their legacies are brought to light.

Preview Location

Location 29

Hyndford's Close

Stop here and look across the road to the right.

You are now at the entrance of Hyndford’s Close. What you see today pales in comparison to the bustling scene that once characterized this Close. Among its notable residents was the infamous Jane Maxwell, Duchess of Gordon, ... Stop here and look across the road to the right.

You are now at the entrance of Hyndford’s Close. What you see today pales in comparison to the bustling scene that once characterized this Close. Among its notable residents was the infamous Jane Maxwell, Duchess of Gordon, a patron of Scotland's revered national poet, Robert Burns who wrote, among others, auld lang syne which is sung every new year's eve around the world.

Born in the mid-18th century in Dumfries and Galloway, Jane moved to Edinburgh with her two sisters and mother to receive further education, debut in Edinburgh Society, and attend balls. Despite eventually marrying the wealthy 4th Duke of Gordon, Jane grew up in humble circumstances in Edinburgh, where her siblings and her played in the streets. An account recalls, “Lady Maxwell’s daughters were the wildest romps imaginable. An old gentleman, their relation, told me that the first time he saw these beautiful girls was in the High Street, where Miss Jane, later Duchess of Gordon, was riding a sow, which Miss Eglantine (her sister) thumped vigorously with a stick. It must be understood that in the mid-18th century, pigs roamed the streets of Edinburgh as commonly as dogs do today, and were often kept as pets by the children of that era.” Jane's wild spirit once led to an accident where she lost a finger, subsequently wearing gloves with a wooden replacement whenever possible.

Let’s continue walking down the Royal Mile as I tell you more about Jane.

After marrying the Duke of Gordon, Jane moved to the family seat at Gordon Castle in the North, where she hosted lavish gatherings, often seating up to 100 guests for dinner and accommodating visitors for three months at a time. She regularly held soirées, inviting emerging artists to entertain. It was in her drawing room that Robert Burns first read his poetry to Edinburgh society, and she became his chief sponsor, purchasing all his early published works.

Keep going with the road to your right, I'll catch up with you soon. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh
Bobby’s Statue
Candlemaker Row
The Magdalen Chapel
West Bow
Tolbooth Kirk
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
The Witches Well
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Lawnmarket
St Giles' Cathedral
The Real Mary King's Close
Royal Mile
Trinity church
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory
Scottish Parliament Building
Palace of Holyroodhouse

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK
Total distance

2km
Final location
Horse Wynd, Edinburgh EH99 1SP, UK
Distance back to start location

1km

Directions to Starting Point

The tour begins in Greyfriars Kirkyard, located between Greyfriars Bobby’s gravestone and the entrance gates to the kirkyard.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

You can easily turn this tour into a full-day experience by exploring the featured sites in greater detail! Highlights include Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, St. Giles’ Cathedral, The Real Mary King’s Close, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Scottish Parliament. If you’re looking for a cosy spot to pause for tea and cake, I recommend Clarinda’s Tearoom. Named after Clarinda (Agnes Maclehose), a friend and mentor to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, she also inspired his beloved love song, Ae Fond Kiss.

Best time of day

For the best experience, I recommend taking this tour during daylight hours or early evening. Please note that during the Edinburgh Festival, certain stops, such as the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, may be inaccessible. If this occurs, simply proceed to the next stop and use the map on your screen to guide you.

Precautions

Edinburgh is a busy, touristy city. Though generally safe, pay attention to your surroundings and enjoy the tour!

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”