Edinburgh’s best snack doesn’t live on the Royal Mile. This guided cheese crawl takes you through local deli and cheese shops in the Stockbridge/Comely Bank area, with plenty of tastings and a guide who connects food to place. I love that it’s built for food-first exploring, not just sightseeing, and that the samples are generous enough to actually learn what you like.

One thing to factor in: it’s mostly time on your feet, and some tasting moments can happen outside or right at shop entrances. If weather is bad, or if you’re hoping for lots of indoor time and deep seated explanations, plan accordingly.

Key things to know before you go

• Stockbridge Market as your starting point: you’ll start in an area that feels like a real neighborhood, not a theme park.
• Cheese tastings plus prosecco: you’re eating through the tour, not just nibbling one bite.
• Small group size (max 15): this is why it works as a walking food tour instead of a cattle-call.
• Expect a lot of walking: you’re moving between shops, most of the time outdoors.
• Not great for lactose intolerance: the whole point is dairy, so this isn’t the pick for you if you avoid it.
• Guides like Jenny or Xander are often praised for storytelling: you’ll hear shop and cheese background as you sample.

Why Stockbridge and Comely Bank make this cheese tour work

This tour is aimed at the Edinburgh you see when you step off the main tourist lanes. Stockbridge and Comely Bank sit in a part of the city where the vibe is more local-market-and-street than monuments-and-maps. That matters because cheese shops aren’t just places to buy food; they’re part of how a neighborhood tastes.

Starting near Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church (10 Comely Bank Rd) also sets the tone. You’re not beginning in the middle of the crush. You’ll get to build momentum right away with a market stop and then turn that into a proper walking “taste route.”

The real star: what you’ll sample (and why it’s more than just eating)

The headline is simple: cheese tastings with a professional guide. In practice, the experience is designed so you don’t just taste random wedges. You’re sampling enough variety that you start noticing patterns: what changes when a cheese is aged longer, what happens with different milk types, and how pairing choices affect your first impression.

You’ll get numerous samples, and a glass of prosecco is included as part of the experience. From the way people describe the tour, you’re likely to come away remembering a handful of standout cheeses, not just feeling full.

A couple of helpful notes to calibrate expectations:

• Some cheeses may feel similar from stop to stop if the lineup leans toward certain styles. If you’re a die-hard fan of a specific type like goats cheese, keep that in mind.
• You may also see non-cheese items appear in the tasting experience (for example, some people mention pâté showing up alongside the cheese). Don’t count on it, but know the tour isn’t always limited to only dairy.

Walking “best side of Edinburgh”: what your route feels like

The route is built around a guided walk where the food is the reason for moving, not an add-on. The tour heads through the Stockbridge area and includes time to see a more scenic side of Edinburgh as you go. You’ll be stopping at local places where cheese is the product on display, and the guide helps you make sense of what you’re seeing.

Here’s what that typically feels like for you on the ground:

• You meet, get brief intro context, and head straight into Stockbridge Market to start the eating.
• Then you move to multiple small shops where the guide coordinates tastings.
• The tour ends back in central walking distance, near Clark’s Bar (142 Dundas St).

Because you’re in an older neighborhood with small retail spaces, not every stop will feel like a big, comfortable tasting room. Expect that some moments happen right by counters or at the edge of the shop. If it’s cold or wet, you’ll want outerwear.

Stop-by-stop: what to expect at each part

Stockbridge Market (your kickoff and taste primer)

This is where you get your bearings and your first wave of flavor. Starting at Stockbridge Market works because it’s a natural place for comparison: you see how different shops present products, and you get a sense of what a local food crowd buys.

This first stop usually sets the standard. People describe tastings as plentiful early on, and it’s also when the guide’s explanations are easiest to follow because you’re fresh, not rushed, and still moving at a relaxed pace.

The cheese shops after the market

After the market, the tour continues through local cheese mongers and delis. In the descriptions you’ll find a common pattern: multiple tastings across several stops, with the guide telling you what makes each cheese worth caring about.

What changes between stops is the physical setup:

• At the smallest shops, there may be limited room to stand inside comfortably.
• Some tastings may happen with people positioned outside or in a doorway area, especially if the shop is busy or too small to gather everyone.

That’s the tradeoff for this kind of tour. You’re getting authentic storefront experiences, but you’re not guaranteed a clean, covered, seated tasting environment every time.

The final stop feel

The end is at Clark’s Bar on Dundas St. For many people, that last stretch feels like a landing point: you’ve already eaten your way through the city’s cheese counter culture, and now you can finish with a drink setting that’s easy to navigate.

Also, if you’re hoping for more alcohol, don’t assume it’s unlimited. Some descriptions note that the included pour can feel modest, so if you want extra prosecco or wine, plan to order after the tour.

Price and value: is $48.52 a fair deal?

At $48.52 per person, this sits in the “worth it if you actually like the food” category. The value comes from a few things working together:

• You’re paying for guidance, not just cheese. The guide helps you connect the tastings to the places you’re standing in.
• You’re paying for quantity and variety. The tour is designed to sample multiple cheeses rather than a single tasting.
• You get a drink included (prosecco), which takes the edge off the overall cost when you compare it to buying tastings à la carte.

If you’re the type who would happily walk into a cheese shop anyway and ask questions, the tour can feel like a shortcut. You’re paying to have that ordering and learning process done for you—while you’re also moving through neighborhoods you might not choose on your own.

If you’re trying to maximize value by minimizing walking and outdoor time, you might prefer a simpler indoor food option. But for cheese lovers, this price tends to translate into a full tasting afternoon.

Comfort and weather: the one part you can’t ignore

This tour is mostly outdoors or at storefront edges. That’s fun when the day is nice. It’s annoying when it’s windy.

So here’s your practical move: dress for standing and eating, not for sightseeing photos. Bring:

• a waterproof layer (even in Scotland, you’ll be glad you did)
• shoes that handle uneven pavement
• a small backpack or crossbody bag so you can keep your hands free for samples

One more thing: the tasting setup is part of the charm and part of the concern. Small shops mean tight spaces, and cheese gets handled right there. If hygiene is a major trigger for you, you’ll want to be mentally prepared for a hands-on food-tour style rather than a formal plated tasting.

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour is ideal if you:

• love cheese and want a structured way to taste and compare
• like local shops and neighborhood walks more than big-ticket landmarks
• want a guide who can connect what you’re tasting to the identity of the area

It’s also good for a first visit because it teaches you something real and specific about Edinburgh: how food culture works at street level.

Skip it—or at least rethink it—if you:

• are lactose intolerant (not recommended)
• hate the idea of standing for tastings, especially if it might rain
• want an extended indoor meal experience, with long sit-down commentary

Practical logistics that actually matter

The start is at Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church, 10 Comely Bank Rd, Edinburgh EH4 1DW. The tour ends at Clark’s Bar, 142 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 5DQ.

It’s designed to be easy to reach with public transit, and it’s a walking format. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking.

Group size is capped at 15 travelers, which is a huge deal for a tasting tour. Smaller groups move more smoothly through shop constraints, and it’s easier to hear the guide over the ambient noise.

One small detail: bottled water is not included. Bring a bottle and take sips between stops.

The guide role: why your experience depends on more than the cheese

This kind of tour lives and dies by the guide. The best sessions are the ones where the guide is talking you through what you’re tasting while also making the neighborhood feel legible.

In particular, guides such as Jenny, Kieron, and Xander show up in descriptions for a reason: they bring personality to cheese education and keep the pacing friendly and fun. You’ll also get background on the shops you’re visiting, which is what turns a tasting into a story you can remember later.

If you go in expecting a strict lecture, you might miss the point. If you go in curious, the guide’s energy and humor can make the whole thing better.

Final call: should you book the Edinburgh Cheese Crawl?

Book it if you’re a cheese person who wants a guided way to sample multiple styles while walking through a real Edinburgh neighborhood. The mix of Stockbridge Market, multiple tastings, and a included prosecco glass is strong value, especially for short trips when you want something both tasty and memorable.

Skip or change plans if you’re sensitive to standing around outdoors, hate tight shop spaces, or can’t do lactose. In that case, you’ll likely find the experience more uncomfortable than fun.

If you’re on the fence, do this simple test: would you be happy spending a couple hours asking cheese-shop questions and wandering local streets? If yes, you’ll probably enjoy this. If no, look for a more indoor-focused food tour instead.

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh Cheese Crawl?

It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

How much does it cost?

The price is $48.52 per person.

What’s included in the tour?

You’ll get cheese tastings and a professional guide. A glass of prosecco is also included.

Is bottled water included?

No, bottled water is not included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church, 10 Comely Bank Rd, Edinburgh EH4 1DW and ends at Clark’s Bar, 142 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 5DQ.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

Most travelers can participate, but it’s not recommended for lactose intolerant people.

How big is the group?

This tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.