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Edinburgh Comedy Walk: Historical & Hysterical Tour by Stand-Up Comedian
5.0
1,629 Ratings
Edinburgh
Join Edinburgh’s hilarious Mountebank comedy walking tour led by a local stand-up comedian. Laugh, learn, and explore the historical and hysterical side of Scotland’s capital!
Join Edinburgh’s hilarious Mountebank comedy walking tour led by a local stand-up comedian. Laugh, learn, and explore the historical and hysterical side of Scotland’s capital!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Monkey Barrel Comedy - The tour starts at the world famous Monkey Barrel Comedy club where I find out a little about you, you learn a little more about me (more than you probably care to know!) I teach you some of my favourite Scottish vocabulary and then we set off on our Old Town adventure..!!
- Royal Mile - Edinburgh’s most iconic and…
- Monkey Barrel Comedy - The tour starts at the world famous Monkey Barrel Comedy club where I find out a little about you, you learn a little more about me (more than you probably care to know!) I teach you some of my favourite Scottish vocabulary and then we set off on our Old Town adventure..!!
- Royal Mile - Edinburgh’s most iconic and historic High Street
- Mercat Cross - The spot where trade occurred in medieval Edinburgh as well as everything from royal proclamations to punishments
- St Giles’ Cathedral - The most significant religious site in the old town it played a key role in the reformation and is the resting place of swashbuckling characters such as the ‘Great Montrose’
- Writers’ Museum - We stop outside the Writers museum for a comic take on some of Edinburgh’s most famous literary figures
- Edinburgh Castle - We stop for a stunning panorama of the south side of Edinburgh castle and learn about the daring raid of Edinburgh Castle by Sir Thomas Randolph in March 1314
- Grassmarket - Edinburgh’s centre for law and disorder a bustling market place where justice was handed out in the form of public executions.
- Greyfriars Kirkyard - Our final stop is Greyfriars Kirkyard steeped in historical significance, gruesome stories of Edinburgh’s bodysnatchers, ghosts, Harry Potter and of course Edinburgh’s most famous dog Greyfriars Bobby
What's Included
- Experienced local guide
- Experienced local guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Mountebank is a hysterical and completely unique walking tour of Edinburgh and the only tour of the city led by a professional, award winning stand-up comedian. Since starting in 2019 Mountebank’s success has attracted copy cat ‘comedy’ tours but Mountebank is the original, best and only tour led by an actual stand-up comic and historian!
Your guide is…
Mountebank is a hysterical and completely unique walking tour of Edinburgh and the only tour of the city led by a professional, award winning stand-up comedian. Since starting in 2019 Mountebank’s success has attracted copy cat ‘comedy’ tours but Mountebank is the original, best and only tour led by an actual stand-up comic and historian!
Your guide is Edinburgh based stand-up comic Daniel Downie - and his trusty sidekick Brahan the dog! Daniel has brought several sell-out shows all about Scotland to the Edinburgh Fringe and is currently studying for a Masters degree in Scottish history. Daniel has been described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘must see’ by the Scotsman newspaper and his show about Mary Queen of Scots was named ‘Best History Show’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Mountebank is all about the hysterical and ridiculous nature of Scotland’s history, people, language, weather - all things Scottish basically! So come along and laugh a lot while you learn a little :)
- *Strictly for ages 16 and over
Location
Monkey Barrel Comedy
Blair Street
The meeting point is 'Monkey Barrel Comedy Club' on Blair Street in the Old Town, I'll be the guy dressed in a kilt with a big fluffy dog :)
- Please note the tour is strictly for ages 16+
- Fluent English is necessary to enjoy the tour fully, I have a Scottish accent some find hard to understand
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(1629 Ratings)
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Cheryl_m
Jun 8, 2025
Laughing out way through the history of Edinburgh - A great guide and enjoyed letting him warm up the new jokes on our group. Highly recommend this it is the best tour in town!
Review provided by Viator
Kerry_m
Jun 7, 2025
A great walk! - Excellent, polished, and friendly. We were impressed with his knowledge and fun. From start to finish, Daniel interacted with everyone on a personal level, mostly remembering their names and was very inclusive with his humour. A great way to learn about not just Edinburgh but Scotland and its character
Review provided by Viator
Brittk889
Jun 6, 2025
Fun, entertaining and informative walk about - This tour was the perfect way to kick off my time in Scotland. Two hours after landing in Edinburgh after a 7 hour flight, I was laughing while Daniel teased bankers from Alabama, a young couple from Norway, runners from some part of England, and a couple of Venezuelan senoritas. He presented a great overview of the City’s history and significant structures while keeping things fun and entertaining. It was not your typical boring history tour. I highly recommend joining Daniel on a tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
851zinat
Jun 6, 2025
Fantastic! Educational and hilarious - Daniel is the best!
He's both educational and entertaining.
Absolutely fabulous tour.
He momorized everyone's names and countries and pocked at us the entire time.
Be sure to ask him about "make-a-wish" Sara part of his comedy routine
Review provided by Tripadvisor
147markm147
Jun 6, 2025
Fab Daniel Donnie of Mountebank - Thoroughly recommend Daniel. His knowledge of Edinburgh and the history of Scotland v England over the years is detailed and delivery is hilarious. Brilliant time spent with him at the end of our trip to Edinburgh.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E8106aejilln
Jun 4, 2025
Worth it! Fun and educational - So much fun! A great comedian and a great historian all rolled into one, with a great dog as a bonus. Enjoyed his improv comedy as he got to know us, and enjoyed the little wisecracks he made throughout the tour--during which we got actual history too. :) A unique experience, worth the time and money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ibrox2018
Jun 3, 2025
Comedy tour Scottish style 100% guaranteed to inform and tickle your funny bone🏴 - Worth every penny!
Was not expecting such talent and interaction.
What a very funny man.
Not only did we learn a lot about our wonderful tour guide but we learned loads about each other 😁
I chuckled the whole way round and learned some interesting facts.
Lots of walking involved but with stops along the way.
Be prepared for honest down to earth humour with language that might be close to the mark but I laughed so much.
A well earned tip was deserved at the finish.
I would 100% recommend and would pay to see this man on stage
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew_v
Jun 3, 2025
Amazing Tour and Performance - I’ve now been on several tours across Europe and even a tour of the Edinburgh Castle; I have to say that this tour may have been my favorite yet. I didn’t know what to expect out of a comedy tour, but it was the perfect mashup of laughs and info! I genuinely learned more about Scotland on this tour than I did on the one of the castle. Daniel was a great time and super funny - he took time to get to know all of us in the beginning which he used to create some banter and fun later on. I’d say my range of humor is pretty narrow, but I genuinely was laughing the entire time. I was solo for this tour and it was great, but I think it would probably be even more fun with friends /family. As an added plus, he brings he dog along on the tour too who is super friendly! Overall, it is a must do if you are coming to Edinburgh and looking to get to know the town and have a good time!
Review provided by Viator
G7173gwrobertb
Jun 2, 2025
Laughs and history in the backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful cities - This was the best guided tour we’ve ever had and we’ve gone on many guided tours in many countries. Daniel was not only hilarious and entertaining but extremely knowledgeable about Scottish history and all the amazing buildings in Edinburgh. His dog Bran aka the Bonnie Prince was a sweetheart. I do need to point out that we were initially joined by some Mormons but not for long because clearly they have never been to a comedy show nor could handle a little lighthearted prodding at their expense which was in line with their total lack of any sense of humor. Daniel took it all in stride and thankfully after their welcome early departure from the group became a continuing punchline for the rest of the tour. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough if you want some good laughs along with an excellent history lesson that is unless you’re part of a humorless cult then skip it. Thanks again Daniel and the Bonnie Prince!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeannie_r
Jun 2, 2025
Humor + History = Good Fun - Daniel is a wonderful comedian and knows a thing or two about history. This tour may not be for you if you're easily offended or get upset by the "f" word. But if you want a sample of bawdy Scottish humor, mixed with history, you'll enjoy.
Review provided by Viator
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