Edinburgh scavenger hunt for kids and families
Edinburgh Old Town is almost unfairly good for a scavenger hunt. It is compact, it is full of alleyways, and it has a castle on a rock in the middle of it. This is a free self-guided trail of nine finds through the Old Town, each one photographed and checked where you stand.
How the hunt works
Each stop is a thing to find. When your child spots it, they take a photo, and the app checks two things at once: that you are actually at the location, and that the photo shows the right thing. Only then does the stop count.
That verification is the difference between a printed checklist and a game. Nobody can tick off the Münster from a café two streets away, which is exactly why children take it seriously.
What you'll find in Edinburgh
9 verified stops listed below
Edinburgh Old Town
The castle, the Royal Mile and a very famous dog, plus the Scottish details hiding on half the buildings in the city.
- 01Edinburgh CastleFrom below on Princes Street, or up close on the esplanade. Both count.
- 02St Giles' CathedralOn the Royal Mile, with a spire shaped like a crown.
- 03Greyfriars BobbyThe small bronze terrier on a plinth by the kirkyard. His nose is shiny from being touched.
- 04The Scott MonumentThe blackened gothic spire on Princes Street that looks like a stone rocket.
- 05Arthur's SeatThe big green hill on the edge of the centre. Photographed from anywhere you can see it.
- 06A close or wynd signThe narrow alleys off the Royal Mile, named Close or Wynd.
- 07A unicornScotland's national animal, carved on gates, crests and buildings once you start looking.
- 08Something tartanA shop window, a kilt, a scarf, a tin of shortbread.
- 09A thistleReal, or carved, printed or stitched onto something.
Questions parents ask
How much does the Edinburgh hunt cost?
Nothing. The Edinburgh Old Town trail is free in the Scavvi app, with no booking and no guide.
How long does the Old Town trail take?
The finds sit within a compact area around the Royal Mile, so an unhurried couple of hours covers it, longer if you go into the castle.
Does it work during the Festival?
Yes, though August crowds make the Royal Mile slow going. The unicorn and close-sign finds are more fun when it is quieter.
Is it hilly?
Edinburgh is famously hilly and the Old Town is the hilly part. The trail keeps to walkable streets, but it is not a flat afternoon.
What ages does it suit?
Four to fourteen. Greyfriars Bobby and the tartan are instant wins for young children, and hunting unicorns keeps older ones going.
Playing in Edinburgh?
The app is free, the trail is free, and there is nothing to book. Download it before you go and it will be waiting when you arrive.
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