Cheese and old Edinburgh make a tasty combo. This 2-hour cheese crawl mixes real tastings with a local guide’s stories, plus a fun cheese quiz that keeps everyone alert. I especially like that you’re not just looking at shops—you’re sampling your way through them.

I also like the way the guide ties dairy talk to the city itself, with history and heritage woven in as you walk. At the end, you get a complimentary glass of wine, which turns the final stop into an easy reward instead of a hard finish. One consideration: it’s mostly an on-your-feet format, so don’t expect lots of sit-down breaks.

Key Highlights

• Tastings across multiple cheese stops without turning it into a long day
• A local guide who keeps it interactive, including a cheese-related quiz
• Old-town context as you move through Edinburgh’s historic areas
• A glass of complimentary wine at the last stop
• A route that’s manageable on foot for most people with average mobility

Where the Tour Begins: Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church to Stockbridge

The tour meets at Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church, with your guide holding a blue flag. That matters more than you might think: a clear meeting point reduces stress, especially in Edinburgh where streets can twist and the weather can change fast.

From there, you walk from the city center toward the Stockbridge area for your cheese tastings. Several stops involve short “pass by” moments, while others are actual cheese-shop stops. The format is simple: move as a group, sample at the right moments, and keep your energy for the finale.

If you’re the type who likes to see at least one neighborhood beyond the main tourist core, this is a good use of time. People come out of it with both food knowledge and a better sense of where Stockbridge sits in the wider Edinburgh map.

What You’ll Taste: Cheese Samples Plus a Wine Finish

This isn’t a one-store tasting. You’re set up to try lots of different cheeses along the way, with samples included at the stops. The best part of this approach is variety: you don’t just get the same style over and over. You get a spread, which makes it easier to learn what you like and why.

In terms of coverage, you’ll encounter a mix of Scottish-leaning cheesemaking and other styles too. Some people end up discovering a new favorite that they would never have picked by name alone. The guide also adds context as you taste, so you’re not just doing a food crawl—you’re doing a guided tasting lesson.

Then the tour ends at Mellis Cheese Stockbridge, where you finish with a glass of wine. For me, that’s the right pacing: the walk and tastings build up flavor impressions, and the wine at the end turns the final stop into a relaxed landing. You also have a chance to slow down and absorb what you’ve been learning.

The Cheese Quiz and the Puns: Why This Feels Like a Fun Class

A good guide makes tastings better. Here, the guide keeps things lively with a cheese quiz and even cheese-related wordplay. It’s not just entertainment; it nudges you to pay attention. When you’re trying to remember the difference between styles (or answering questions as a group), you’re more likely to notice textures and flavors instead of just chasing the next bite.

The quizzes also create an easy social rhythm. If you’re traveling solo, it helps you connect without forcing a conversation first. If you’re traveling with friends, it adds a shared game moment that turns the walk into something more than a transfer between shops.

And because the guide is part storyteller and part host, the tour doesn’t feel like a scripted lecture. It’s more like you’ve got a local friend who knows how to explain cheese without making it heavy.

Old Town Stories: How the Guide Connects Edinburgh’s Past to Cheese

Before you start tasting, the guide shares a brief orientation that includes Edinburgh’s city history and the heritage of the city’s cheese. You’ll hear the “why” behind the dairy culture, not just the “what” behind the flavors.

That context matters if you care about getting beyond surface-level travel. Edinburgh isn’t only about castles and streetscapes. Food traditions are part of the city’s identity too, and hearing that angle makes the whole experience feel more grounded.

You’ll also get a sense of how the city’s past influences what you see in the present. Even when you’re just moving between cheese shops, the guide’s timing keeps you oriented: you’re not wandering. You’re following a storyline.

The Stops Along the Way: George Mewes and Herbie of Edinburgh

Not every stop is a full shop visit. Some are pass by moments, which can be a little different depending on what you expect. If you’re hoping for nonstop shop doors opening the whole time, plan for at least a couple of moments that are more about location and local flavor than full tasting inside.

You’ll pass George Mewes Cheese, and you’ll also pass Herbie of Edinburgh on the route. Even if you don’t go inside at every location, the guide’s commentary helps you understand what you’re seeing and why the stop belongs on this crawl.

For me, “pass by” stops can be worth it when the guide uses them to point out the neighborhood’s flavor. It adds texture without stretching the tour length. Still, if you want maximum shop time, you’ll likely feel happiest when you’re entering the shops for the actual tastings.

Mellis Cheese Stockbridge: Where the Tour Feels Like It Finishes Properly

The end point is Mellis Cheese Stockbridge, and this is where the tasting energy and the social energy both come together. Finishing at a cheese-focused shop makes sense—this is where you can compare flavors you just tried and decide what you’d actually buy if you had a fridge at home.

Since you also get the complimentary wine here, it feels like a proper conclusion rather than a drop-off. People tend to enjoy the wine at the end because the hard work—walking and learning—has already happened.

There’s also a practical takeaway: by the final stop, you’re often better at describing what you want. If you’ve tasted multiple styles, you can shop with confidence instead of pointing and hoping.

Price and Value: Is $47 Worth Two Hours?

At $47 per person for a 2-hour experience, you’re paying for more than snacks. Your money covers a live guide, the walking tour, cheese samples across the route, and a glass of wine at the end.

Is it a bargain compared to buying cheese on your own? Not exactly. But value isn’t only about cheapest cost. You’re getting coordination: the guide brings you to multiple places, times the tastings, and adds explanations and games so you learn while you eat.

This format is also a time-saver. If you’re short on hours in Edinburgh, a focused tour beats piecing together several shop visits on your own—especially when you want tastings rather than guessing what’s worth buying.

With a reported 4.6 rating from 42 reviews, the core promise—tastings, guide energy, and a fun pace—seems to land well for most people.

Walking Time, Weather, and the Real-Life Comfort Factor

This tour involves walking, but it doesn’t sound like a punishing distance. One participant noted the overall walking felt manageable, with about 30 minutes of walking from the meeting point. That’s useful information if you’re balancing sightseeing plans or dealing with tired legs.

Weather can be a factor in Edinburgh, and guides seem to adjust when conditions get rough. A few people mentioned the guide staying flexible during heavier rain, keeping the group moving and making the best of the day. That’s the kind of competence you want from a local guide: not fancy words, just practical movement.

One more comfort note: there’s feedback that it would be nice to have a place to sit at times. So think of this as a walking-and-tasting experience first, with only limited chances to pause.

Who This Is For (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Love cheese and want a guided way to try multiple types
• Want a short, social activity that still includes city context
• Enjoy interactive guides with quiz-style participation
• Like finishing with a small treat, like the complimentary wine at the last stop

It’s not a good match if you:

• Are vegetarian, since the tour isn’t suitable for vegetarians
• Have gluten intolerance, since it isn’t suitable for that dietary need

If you’re wheelchair user, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, since it’s a walking tour, you’ll want to consider the overall route comfort level for your specific mobility needs.

Should You Book the Edinburgh Cheese Crawl?

Book it if you want an easy win: two hours, multiple tastings, a lively guide, and a wine finish—plus some old-town storytelling to keep it from being only about food.

Skip it if you need lots of seating time, or if you’re vegetarian or gluten-intolerant. In those cases, the tour design simply won’t match your needs.

If you’re already planning a day of classic Edinburgh sights, this works well as the fun, edible contrast. It turns a neighborhood walk into something memorable, and it helps you come away with both new cheese preferences and a clearer sense of where Stockbridge fits in the city.

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh Cheese Crawl?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide in front of Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church. Your guide will be holding a blue flag.

What’s included in the $47 price?

Included are the live guide, a walking tour, cheese samples, and a glass of wine.

Is public transport included?

No. Public transport tickets are not included.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?

No. It is not suitable for vegetarians.

Is it suitable for people with gluten intolerance?

No. It is not suitable for people with gluten intolerance.