Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh: Uncovering the Origins of Scotland's Coffee Trade
5.0
46 Ratings
Edinburgh
Uncover the fascinating history of Scotland's coffee trade on a small-group walking tour in Edinburgh. Visit original historic coffee houses, including an exclusive access to an 18th Century meeting point. Discover an underground section of the city not open to the public for 200 years!
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Lost Close - Events & Experiences - We have exclusive access to a hidden, underground space, which was once a coffee house dating back to the 18th century, used by prosecutors and pirates alike.

For the second half of our tour, we’ll be exploring a series of underground rooms, where we’ll drink coffee and finish our tour. There are also toilets and water available here.

  • Old Town - The Old Town of Edinburgh has a rich history of coffee houses, we’ll visit a few of the locations on a walk. For the first half of the tour, we will be outside exploring the closes and wynds, the narrow alleys of Edinbuurgh’s Historic Old Town.

Most of the ancient coffee houses have long since perished, through fire or changing business, and we’ll be hunting these down on our adventure.

What's Included
  • Experienced Local Guide
  • Tea and coffee
Additional Information

Experience a unique tour in Edinburgh that takes you around the history of Scotland’s coffee industry. Our journey includes visiting the locations of historic coffee establishments in Edinburgh, and a privileged access to the former ‘John’s Coffee House’. Here, we conclude our tour with a cup of coffee in a gathering place of the 18th Century for philosophers, pirates, and lawyers. Experience a hidden segment of Edinburgh that has been closed to public for nearly 200 years!

Throughout this journey, we’ll explore the locations of the old coffee houses before the massive fire radically altered the Old Town’s geography. We’ll also share some narratives about the history of coffee and the evolution of the coffee trade to its present state.

Location
CoDE Pod – THE CoURT
Parliament Square
Behind St Giles Cathedral, in the corner of Parliament Square, you'll fin the statue of James Braidwood, and next to that is the Code Pod Hostel where we'll meet you at reception!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(46 Ratings)
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J2582qustevef
Apr 14, 2024
Fab tour and nice coffee. - Really interesting and entertaining tour. James has a great knowledge of the history of the area and coffee. Free coffee included so well worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmasamfos
Apr 14, 2024
Best tour we did in Edinburgh - Fabulous tour. Just the right amount of information and humour. Two free drinks (even tea!). Really interesting and engaging. One of the few tours that I’ve not been bored at some point. Didn’t walk too far but covered the best bits above and below ground!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elzbieta_m
Apr 7, 2024
Amazing experience for both locals and tourist coffee lovers!ts - Absolutely amazing tour unraveling the history of coffee origins and how it made it's way to Edinburgh. Beautiful scenery, astonishing historical facts and delicious coffee, what else is there to ask?
Review provided by Viator
Elinorf2024
Mar 23, 2024
Great coffee tour - Really enjoyed the coffee tour! Sara was our guide and was really informative and interesting. The coffee was also great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbara_s
Mar 16, 2024
Great tour, 10 out of 10, would recommend - We actually were a very small group and it was pouring outside, but it was a very fun tour nontheless, perfect for everyone who enjoys a cup of coffee, interesting stories at 10 in the morning (actually perfect timing for me) and to know some details about the city you are in.
Review provided by Viator
Johntelfer68
Mar 16, 2024
Must see tour - Having lived in Edinburgh for 20 years I finally did ny first walking tour. And what a great tour it was. Learned so much I never knew, the tour guide was brilliant - within seconds of meeting her she felt like a pal you'd had for years...had a great time and will defo not be my only tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mairin_p
Feb 15, 2024
Funny, enjoyable, great coffee - James was humourous and knowledgeable with regards to coffee and the history of Edinburgh. A very enjoyable insight into the city.
Review provided by Viator
Naomi_f
Jan 7, 2024
Such a fun tour! Sara was... - Such a fun tour! Sara was a great and informative tour guide. We loved her storytelling and the coffee :)
Review provided by Viator
Rebecca_k
Nov 29, 2023
A different and entertaining tour! - Sarah gave us a great tour. The small group meant everyone could interact and ask questions. She really knew the history very well and it was a fun and informative tour. The coffee was good too, they even catered for us vegans!
Review provided by Viator
Kym
Nov 13, 2023
Informative and fun - Fun diversion from the huge tours. Start off with a coffee and wander not far from the meeting place. Learn about their own little archeological dig and their discovery!
Review provided by Viator
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up to 8 guests
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May 2024
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