Treasure Hunt Edinburgh
Have fun and see Edinburgh a different way
You’re going to Edinburgh and you want to have some fun. There are so many ancient streets and stunning buildings, it's hard to know where to start.
It’s no fun wandering aimlessly. Feeling like you’re missing the cool areas or the lesser known sites. You don’t want to spend all your time looking at your phone, not actually seeing anything. With your other half getting bored and hungry.
What about planning your own route and hoping for the best? Sounds like a lot of work trawling blog posts and reading reviews. And you’ll probably miss the hidden gems as all the blogs just list the same attractions.
Will you discover the best bits or end up fighting your way along the busy Royal Mile?
You know Edinburgh has great pubs, historic streets and loads of history. It’s just a question of having fun seeing it all.
Pore over treasure maps and ponder cryptic clues.
Scour Edinburgh's ancient streets to find the answers.
Follow a carefully designed route around Edinburgh. Explore picturesque streets, get a feel for the Royal Mile and sneak down quieter alleys and hidden squares. Take the lesser known path but still see St Giles' Cathedral and the other main sights.
Spot things other people don't notice like the morbid contraptions defending against grave robbers.
Learn some fun facts and stories like the one about the saltwife who survived the gallows at Grassmarket. Nothing too heavy, you're here to have fun!
Go at your own pace. Pop into a pub or relax in a cafe. It's your day.
Don't take our word for it: we're rated ★★★★★ on Tripadvisor with 29 reviews.
Are you organising a special occasion? 🎉
- Christmas present 🎁
- Hen party
- Team away day
- Family day out
Just visiting Edinburgh? Read on…
Treasure Hunt Edinburgh will take you on a fab route around the city, spotting clues and following treasure maps, all at your own pace.
10/10 such a great time!
...exploring the city this way was so much more fun for us than going on a group tour. It was such a great and memorable experience, I can't wait to go to more cities they offer treasure hunts in.
A great way to see Edinburgh!
Just the right amount of walking, taking you to a carefully selected number of locations with really interesting snippets of history and facts. Learned a lot of interesting things without being overloaded with information!
It works like a WhatsApp
group chat
You don’t need to download or print anything and it doesn’t need any permissions.
Plus, you get to start when you want.
1. Follow maps 🧭
Bess sends you a series of treasure maps, leading you around Edinburgh.
The clues and maps are a lot of fun.
This is a great way to see the city!”
Captain Bess
2. Search for answers 🔎
Bess sends you a series of clues and you have to search the city for answers.
Good banter from Captain Bess who sends you the clues!”
Captain Bess
Black Beard Beth
Captain Bess
Long Joe Silver
Captain Bess
3. Learn some facts 🎓
Along the way, Bess will tell you a few interesting facts and stories about the things you're spotting in Edinburgh!”
We learnt new things and actually appreciated the beautiful scenery as we went around the city.
Captain Bess
4. Play together 👨👩👦
Captain Bess will invite you all to join the hunt!
We had such a laugh and a great day out!
Captain Bess
Buccaneer Beth
Captain Bess
Lianne Pinkbeard joined the game.
Parrot Pete 🦜 joined the game.
Parrot Pete
Lianne Pinkbeard
... for FREE!
A different way to see Edinburgh
A treasure hunt is more like a game than a traditional tour. You have to follow treasure maps, solve cryptic clues and keep your eyes peeled to find the answers.
You’ll have some banter with our friendly pirate Captain Bess. She’ll put you in your place if you get too many answers wrong!
Take your time, go at your own pace
You can start when you like, there’s no fixed start time. You can even finish the next day if you get stuck in a nice pub!
Fancy stopping for some food? Great plan! Take it at your own pace. Look out for quality pubs and good restaurants along the route.
Play on your own terms. It's just you and your team, like a private tour.
Great way to see Edinburgh
The format is nice and informal and you can take it at your own pace. Highly recommended for 1st time visitors and the seasoned Edinburgh visitor too!
Start playing in 60 seconds
It’s all on your phones, there’s nothing to print or collect.
Book online and you’ll get a link to start your game straight away.
You can rearrange or cancel
We’re flexible. If your plans change or you can't make it to Edinburgh, play another day or cancel for free.
Fun or your money back
We think you're going love Treasure Hunt Edinburgh!
If you don't have fun, we promise to give your money back. We'll ask for a quick chat on the phone to understand what went wrong.
See more than just the Castle
No spoilers! You'll see the main areas like the Royal Mile, but the real fun is searching for clues and spotting things all around you in the city.
A unique way of exploring Edinburgh
A fun and different way of exploring the nooks and cranny’s of the city while discovering little things you might normally miss.
Edinburgh Castle - perched atop an extinct volcano, you’ll marvel at this incredible fortress.
St Giles’ Cathedral - this stunning church boasts incredible architecture and wonderful stained glass windows.
The Mercat Cross - an important spot from which public proclamations would be made for all to hear!
National Museum of Scotland - this distinctive Victorian museum and its striking new building house extensive collections.
McEwan Hall - the marvellous graduation hall of the University of Edinburgh.
Royal Mile - the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, you’ll explore the finest section of this famous stretch.
Greyfriars Kirk and graveyard - a peaceful and beautiful graveyard, complete with graves that inspired JK Rowling!
Grassmarket - a picturesque market square right in the heart of the Old Town.
Get our Top Tips,
straight to your inbox
Our treasure hunt was born from weeks of digging through blogs, archives, and chatting with locals. It was all about capturing the real Edinburgh.
Now, we're spilling the beans in our Top Tips emails. Expect the lowdown on hidden spots, the best indie cafes, and walking routes for how to find them. All that insider info? It's coming straight to you for FREE. We're all about spreading the love for Edinburgh, no strings attached ❤️
By the end, you'll have a great overview of Edinburgh's Old Town. You've probably spotted a pub you'd like to revisit!
What if it rains?
If it's patchy rain, you can pop into a pub along the route: the treasure hunt is flexible.
If it's really bad you can play a different day. Or you can start one day and finish the next.
If it's really pouring and you don't fancy wading along the Royal Mile, we’ll give your money back, even if you've started.
Will it be too difficult?
Don't worry! The treasure hunt has some tricky clues, but if you get stuck you can ask for a hint.
We make sure you don't get completely stuck, ambling endlessly along Lawnmarket...
Will I have fun if I'm from Edinburgh?
Yes! You already know the city, but we bet you'll notice things you've walked past a hundred times before.
We've worked hard to find the less-obvious stuff - beyond the typical blue plaques - and some interesting stories and anecdotes. You're going to have a great time!
Is it suitable for kids?
The game is designed for adults and curious kids aged 8 and up.
Younger ones are welcome though you may have to help by interpreting the clues and Captain Bess' pirate speak.
The whole route is pushchair friendly, avoiding steps or showing step-free alternative routes.
We’re a family of four with a 13 year old and a 11 year old. Mum was map reader, dad reminded kids about clues, and kids were hunting for clues.”
A great treasure hunt and walking tour of the city.
Even though I'm local I still learned lots as we made our way around all of the clues. Very interactive and you can take it at your own pace. Ideal for older kids and friends.
Will it be too physical?
It's 2½ miles walking but there are lots of places to rest. There are good pubs, cafes and restaurants along the way.
Ready for a different way to see Edinburgh?
- Follow a carefully designed route around Edinburgh.
- See the best sights as well as a few hidden gems too.
- Start whenever you like, take it at your own pace.
- 2–3 hours of fun outdoors.
How does it work?
Play the demo 📱 (win a prize!)
Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋
Have questions?
Email us 💌
or text us
07380 309380
Getting organised?
Plan your day 📋
Have questions?
Email us 💌
or text us
07380 309380
Have questions?
Email us 💌
or text us
07380 309380
“...exploring the city this way was so much more fun for us than going on a group tour. It was such a great and memorable experience, I can't wait to go to more cities they offer treasure hunts in.”
—Rachel T, Google
ahoy@treasurehuntedinburgh.com
Telephone: 0131 510 2482
Text us: 07380 309380
The Old Town Adventure
starts from:
1 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BJ