The 9 Best Audio Tours in Scotland

1.Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 40 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $11Our pick

Use the VoiceMap app to follow an English audio walk from Edinburgh Castle to the Elephant House. You’ll pass the Writer’s Museum, Victoria Street, and Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, hearing how Edinburgh’s streets, names, and dark past influenced Harry Potter. Pause anytime, shop along the way, and revisit the tour with lifetime access.

“We had a great experience! Everything worked perfectly easy to use easy to follow! We would recommend it to everyone! Thank you.”

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2.500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 29 reviews · 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Use the VoiceMap app to walk Aberdeen at your own pace, from the Tolbooth Museum to the Town House. Hear stories of hangings, treason, church punishments, bodysnatchers, child-snatching gangs, and harbor crimes. Allow 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes, and download the tour before setting out.

“My husband and I were able to take the tour at our speed, stopping where we wanted to stop and adjust as we saw fit. This was perfect for getting to know a new area with the stories and history. It is my absolute favorite way to see a city. I will definitely be checking out more as we travel in our future. Thank you.”

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3.The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from Mercat Cross to Marischal Square. GPS-triggered narration leads you past Aberdeen Harbour, Provost Ross’s House, the Green, the Maritime Museum, and Provost Skene’s House while examining piracy, slavery, and insurrection.

“It was so refreshing to hear an unsanitised view of Aberdeen history. The commentary was excellent, but I still managed to get lost!”

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4.Made in Dundee: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Follow a 70-minute English audio tour through central Dundee, from Desperate Dan to the Lemmings statues. VoiceMap supplies GPS-triggered commentary, maps, and offline access, letting you explore at your own pace without a live guide.

“Actually a very good idea, but the app doesn't work well. I didn't know where ti go next because the app was already ten steps ahead and didnt stop playing the audio. So I had to open google maps to navigate myself. Also, when I took some photos the app stopped.. Really annoying. I prefer doing normal walking tours with experienced guides.”

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5.Discovering Inverness: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Capital of the Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap walk through Inverness, starting at St Andrew’s Cathedral and passing the river, Greig Street Bridge, Old High Church, Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness Castle, Eden Court, and the Ness Islands. Pause for pubs, sights, or photos, then continue at your own pace.

“Very diversified information provided, very useful to be introduced to Inverness. One single regret: while the castle is still under restoration hence not accessible, the audioguide was not updated accordingly.”

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6.Aberdeen’s Union Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $5Best value

Follow VoiceMap’s English audio guide from western Union Street to Mercat Cross in about 50 minutes. The 2km route includes Gilcomston Church, Wallace’s statue, St. Nicholas cemetery, Union Terrace Gardens, and Marischal College, with offline maps and lifetime access.

“A great way to learn about Aberdeen. It was informative and entertaining and did a reasonable job of keeping you on the right path.”

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7.Highlights from Edinburgh’s Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $11Top rated

Follow a VoiceMap audio walk from the Royal Scottish Academy to the Scottish Parliament, taking in Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Riddle’s Court, St Giles Cathedral, and John Knox House. Go at your own pace, use offline maps, and revisit the tour anytime.

“It was our first time using the app. Overall, the experience was relatively good. Sometimes it knew exactly where we were, but sometimes it didn't, which was a bit challening. This particular tour was very focused on the city's architecture, which I didn't recall from the description, so if you aren't as interested in that aspect of the city's history, you may want to try another tour.”

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8.A History of Witchcraft in Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $9

Use the VoiceMap app to walk from the Palace of Holyrood to Castlehill while narrator Kat tells stories of Scottish witchcraft, John Knox, Major Thomas Weir, and the last witch of Scotland. The English tour takes about 60 to 90 minutes and works offline.

“I had a great time with the narrated tour by Kat. The facts were interesting but not overly dry and "textbook"-focused. Focused more on the storytelling aspect, which I really liked.”

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9.Highlights from the Royal Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Follow an English-language VoiceMap audio tour from the Witches Well beside Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse. Over roughly an hour, you’ll hear stories of witch burnings, Deacon Brodie, John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots, old punishments, and the Royal Mile’s four historic sections. Bring your own phone and headphones.

“We loved the ability to set the pace and enjoy stopping to shop or take in scenery. Loved hearing all of the history”

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