Pieute|Edinburgh Detours Collaboration

We are delighted to announce a new collaboration with Pieute. This collaboration brings together two dynamic projects with one common goal: positive social change.

Pieute represents the best of Scottish culture. An independent clothing brand and a community. As well as unique designs and quality made in Scotland merchandise, Pieute are key to street culture and good deeds in Edinburgh. With initiatives like their annual street party and Boards For Bairns, which distributes skateboards to young people throughout the city who would otherwise go without.

Edinburgh Detours is a not-for-profit community project which, through a programme of walking and cycling tours, talks and consultancy, focuses on the hidden histories of working class and immigrant experience in Edinburgh. Detours also has a strong record of supporting community based, volunteer led initiatives. Such as Helping Hands Bikes For Kids, which distributed over 1000 brand new bikes to young people in housing schemes throughout the city.

Pieute and Edinburgh Detours are both based in the Old Town and both have established positive reputations and customer trust through a proven commitment to delivering top quality in their respective field, with a social conscience. This mutually beneficial collaboration will see all Edinburgh Detours guides wearing Pieute branded James Connolly hoodies and t-shirts, mutual support & signposting, and much more. At a time of alienation, dispossession and uncertainty for many people throughout Edinburgh this collaboration will focus on delivering positive outcomes through collective action and solidarity.

Pieute shop is at 19 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QG.

Little Ireland Tour

Experience Edinburgh’s Old Town like never before by exploring the area shaped by the Irish over the centuries. This hidden history is told through authentic narratives which uncover the Irish connections to Edinburgh landmarks, politics and culture.

Tour includes:
•Experience of Navvies building Edinburgh’s canals, reservoirs and railways.
•Social history of Cowgate, Grassmarket & West Port.
•Hostility Irish Catholics faced in city.
•Story of Erin go Bragh and founding of Hibernian FC.
•Visit to St Patrick’s Church.
•New interpretation of wide range of relevant literary sources from Neil M Gunn to James Connolly, from Irvine Welsh to Muriel Spark.

The tour offers an original and fascinating perspective on Scotland’s capital city and the overlooked history of the Irish in Edinburgh.

About Your Guide.
All the Little Ireland tours are led, researched and produced by Edinburgh Detours co-ordinator, Jim Slaven. Born and still living in the area, Jim has decades of experience of tours, talks and writing on the experience of the Irish in Edinburgh, past and present.

All our tours are private tours. We do not do walk ups.

For more information contact us via our contact page here or email: edinburghdetours@gmail.com.

It’s Christmas!!

We’re in the Christmas mood at Edinburgh Detours HQ. So if you are looking for an unusual Christmas present we have you covered.
Gifts for the curious.

Treat someone you care about to the cool gift of an Edinburgh walking tour. Led by a local, qualified guide the tour will cover the social and cultural history of the Old Town. Walk through the streets James Connolly called home exploring the hidden history of the city.

Suitable Christmas gift for loved ones, friends or co-workers. These tours are great for locals, new arrivals or visitors.
Have friends or family visiting Edinburgh in 2026? This is the perfect gift.

How long is the tour? Christmas offer is available for one hour and two hour tours.
When? This offer includes a flexible gift voucher. The lucky recipient of this excellent gift can arrange the tour for a time that suits them.

Brilliant, How do I buy the gift? Easy, contact us for a quote.

Once you buy the gift voucher we will send you electronic confirmation and can also send written confirmation if you want to put it in a card.

This festive offer is available for one person or two (in case you want to go with them!). Group tours can be booked in the normal way.

A Christmas gift to remember.

*Gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Private bespoke tours are also available all year round. Contact us for more details.