City trailEdinburgh, United Kingdom

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 self-guided trail of nine finds through the Old Town, each one photographed and checked where you stand.

Get the appSee the stops
Finds
9
Ages
4–14
Plan
With Pro
App languages
8
Where
Old Town
Booking
None

snap it and it counts

How the hunt works

  1. Go to the stop

    Each stop has a zone around it, so it only counts when you're really there.

  2. Snap it

    Take a photo and the app checks it shows the right thing.

  3. Collect the set

    Tick off every stop at your own pace. Stop for food whenever you like; your progress is saved.

Nobody can tick off Edinburgh Castle from a café two streets away, which is exactly why children take it seriously.

Adventures

Vote the next city in

BristolWant a trail here?
This example plays the Bath trail.
What happens in this example
  1. The trails list, with a colour for each kind of trail. Filter it, or open the Bath city trail.
  2. The Bath in Honey Stone trail: 8 stops, with Pro. The first stop, the Roman Baths, says you're in the zone.
  3. The stop: a drawn map shows you're here, with a hint about what to look for.
  4. Snap it and the app checks the photo.
  5. Found! Stop 1 of 8 is done. Bath Abbey is next, and that's the end of this example.

what you'll find

The Edinburgh trail

9 stops to find. Here they are.

City trailWith Pro

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.

  1. Stop 1: Edinburgh CastleFrom below on Princes Street, or up close on the esplanade. Both count.
  2. Stop 2: St Giles' CathedralOn the Royal Mile, with a spire shaped like a crown.
  3. Stop 3: Greyfriars BobbyThe small bronze terrier on a plinth by the kirkyard. His nose is shiny from being touched.
  4. Stop 4: The Scott MonumentThe blackened gothic spire on Princes Street that looks like a stone rocket.
  5. Stop 5: Arthur's SeatThe big green hill on the edge of the centre. Photographed from anywhere you can see it.
  6. Stop 6: A close or wynd signThe narrow alleys off the Royal Mile, named Close or Wynd.
  7. Stop 7: A unicornScotland's national animal, carved on gates, crests and buildings once you start looking.
  8. Stop 8: Something tartanA shop window, a kilt, a scarf, a tin of shortbread.
  9. Stop 9: A thistleReal, or carved, printed or stitched onto something.

good questions

Questions parents ask

How much does the Edinburgh hunt cost?

The Scavvi app and its daily hunt are free. City trails come with Scavvi Pro, £2.99 a month or £19.99 a year, cancel any time in the App Store or Google Play. There is 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 and its daily hunt are free. City trails come with Scavvi Pro. Download it before you go and the trail will be waiting when you get there.

Get the app

going somewhere else?

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