Secrets of
Edinburgh

Self-Guided Secrets of Edinburgh Exploration Game

Crack Edinburgh’s Darkest Mystery! Wander through cobbled streets steeped in royal intrigue and eerie legends as you join Maggie Dickson to track down the cursed Hangman’s Hood before it claims its next victim.

About Secrets of Edinburgh

The Secrets of Edinburgh City Game is a self-guided, GPS-based game that takes place in the historic center of Edinburgh. Using a smartphone, players embark on an interactive exploration game where they solve puzzles, uncover riddles and complete photo challenges. Along the way, participants learn about Edinburgh’s rich history, distinctive culture and often-overlooked details woven into the city’s streets and landmarks. This City Game Edinburgh is ideal for both visitors wanting to discover new places and locals looking for a fresh perspective. The self-guided city game is designed for solo adventurers, couples, families or groups of friends seeking a flexible and engaging urban experience.

1.5-2 hours of play time

3-4 km walking distance

Start at Edinburgh, Lawnmarket Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott

Start, pause & continue whenever you want

Play on your smartphone, no downloads needed

1-4 people per smartphone

What you’ll experience during the game

As you explore Edinburgh through this City Game, you’ll follow an unfolding story that guides you to both renowned landmarks and atmospheric corners of the city. Along the way, you might find yourself admiring the colorful storefronts of Victoria Street, crossing through the lively Grassmarket, or pausing at the Greyfriars Bobby Statue. Historic stops like Deacon Brodie’s Tavern and the shaded paths of Greyfriars Kirkyard add depth and character to your journey. Each location offers clues and ambience that pull you deeper into the city’s layered past and hidden details.

During the game, you’ll solve clever riddles, answer local questions, and complete creative photo challenges designed to connect you with Edinburgh’s historic charm. Earning points and unlocking hints will help you progress toward revealing a final mystery, all at your own pace. You can pause the game whenever you’d like and continue later, whether you’re exploring solo or with others. For those playing competitively, aiming for a top spot on the leaderboard adds an extra layer of challenge and fun.

Who is it for?

This City Game is designed for anyone who wants to discover Edinburgh in a playful and meaningful way. It’s ideal for:

  • Solo explorers looking for a flexible adventure
  • Couples who want to experience the city in a fun and surprising way
  • Families with curious kids who enjoy puzzles and challenges
  • Friends wanting a lighthearted activity full of laughter
  • Groups and teams searching for a unique, self-guided teambuilding experience

Whether you’re a local seeing Edinburgh with fresh eyes or a visitor exploring the city for the first time, this GPS-based game offers a memorable way to connect, play and explore together.

What’s included?

Included

  • Self-guided Exploration Game
    Play independently on your own smartphone.
  • Game link & instructions
    Simple steps to start the activity.
  • GPS-based route with puzzles & challenges
    Riddles, questions and photo tasks.
  • Fun facts & stories about Edinburgh
    Learn about iconic and hidden spots.

Excluded

  • Smartphone or other devices (bring your own to play)
    You only need one phone per team.
  • In-person guide (digital guide in-game only)
    Everything is fully self-guided inside the game.

Good to know

  • Flexible start, pause & continue
  • 1-year access from purchase date
  • 1–4 people per smartphone
  • Difficulty: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended age: 8+
  • Internet & GPS required
  • Available languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and 30+ more!
  • Start location: Edinburgh, Lawnmarket Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott

How to play

Once you book, you will receive an email with a direct play link. Head to the start location at the Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott and begin your adventure whenever you choose. The game runs directly on your smartphone, with no app download needed. You can pause at any time and continue later, giving you complete flexibility over your journey.

Book your Secrets of Edinburgh experience now

Per group

€ 25,95

Book your Secrets of Edinburgh experience now

A 2-hour self-guided City Explore Game through Edinburgh: explore highlights, solve puzzles and play at your own pace.

Per group

€ 25,95

  • Cancel anytime for full refund
  • Instant confirmation
  • Accessible for 1 year from the purchase date
  • Payments are secure & encrypted
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The story of Secrets of Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s cobblestones have seen their share of ghosts, but Maggie Dickson is something else entirely. Hanged in the Grassmarket and buried in a coffin, she woke up hours later, much to the shock of everyone, herself included. Now she’s back once more, on the hunt for the Hangman’s Hood used in her execution.

Said to be cursed and dangerous in the wrong hands, the hood is still out there, lurking in the city’s closes and courtyards. Join Maggie as she stalks the Royal Mile, slips into hidden wynds, and follows whispers from both the living and the dead. Help her find the hood before it falls into the wrong hands, or before she runs out of second chances.

You came to explore. You stayed to save the story.

Book now

Maggie Dickson

Your start location

After booking, you’ll receive an email with your play link and simple start instructions. On the day you want to play, just head to the start location at Edinburgh, Lawnmarket Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, open the link on your smartphone and begin the game. From there, you simply follow the GPS route, complete the challenges and explore at your own pace.

Edinburgh, Lawnmarket Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott

Get directions

How the Secrets of Exploration City Game works

Discover how the self-guided exploration game leads you through the city, step by step.

Start whenever you want

Begin the game the moment you arrive at the starting location, with no fixed departure time.

Follow the GPS route

Navigate through the city using the built in map that guides you from checkpoint to checkpoint.

Solve puzzles and riddles

Crack codes, answer clever questions and use your surroundings to complete challenges.

Complete creative photo challenges

Capture fun moments, recreate poses or search for hidden details as part of interactive missions.

Discover local stories and fun facts

Each location reveals surprising insights about the area’s history, culture and hidden secrets.

Earn points at every location

Score points by completing assignments at each point. Compete with other teams and climb the leaderboard.

Unlock badges and achievements

Earn digital badges as you reach milestones during the game. Every achievement adds to your team’s progress.

Play at your own pace

Take breaks whenever you like and continue the adventure when you are ready.

Book now

How the Secrets of Exploration City Game works

Discover how the self-guided exploration game leads you through the city, step by step.

  • Start whenever you want

    Begin the game the moment you arrive at the starting location, with no fixed departure time.

  • Follow the GPS route

    Navigate through the city using the built in map that guides you from checkpoint to checkpoint.

  • Solve puzzles and examine evidence

    Crack codes, answer clever questions and use your surroundings to complete challenges.

  • Complete creative photo challenges

    Capture fun moments, recreate poses or search for hidden details as part of interactive missions.

  • Discover local stories and fun facts

    Each location reveals surprising insights about the area’s history, culture and hidden secrets.

  • Earn points at every location

    Score points by completing assignments at each point. Compete with other teams and climb the leaderboard.

  • Unlock badges and achievements

    Earn digital badges as you reach milestones during the game. Every achievement adds to your team’s progress.

  • Play at your own pace

    Take breaks whenever you like and continue the adventure when you are ready.

Book now

What others think of our City Games

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Do you have questions? We have answers!

Check out our frequently asked questions and find out everything you want to know. Is your question not among them? Feel free to contact us.

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Secrets of Edinburgh takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. There is no strict time limit, so you can explore Edinburgh at your own pace and pause the game whenever you like.

Most teams complete the game within this time frame, but you’re free to take longer if you want to stop for a drink, explore a location more deeply, or enjoy the city along the way!

The game starts at Edinburgh, Lawnmarket Statue of Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott. After booking, the start location is clearly communicated in the instruction email and becomes visible in the game.

The entire game takes place outdoors. You don’t need to enter any buildings or visit locations with opening hours. Simply arrive at the start location, open the game on your smartphone, and you can begin exploring right away!

There is no limit to the total number of players for Secrets of Haarlem!

The game is played in teams of 1 to 4 people per smartphone.
If you’re playing with more than 4 people, simply book multiple teams, so everyone can play at the same time using their own devices and use the same play link.

For larger groups or corporate events, a fully hosted version of this City Game is also available, including on-site guidance, tablets and live support.

Planning a larger group or corporate event?
Explore the hosted City Game experience for groups

No, you don’t need to reserve a time slot for Secrets of Edinburgh! After purchase, you can start the game anytime you want, on any day, within the 1-year access period.

This flexibility makes Secrets of Edinburgh ideal if you’re visiting the city without a fixed schedule, want to check the weather first, or prefer to start spontaneously once you arrive in the city!

Yes, Secrets of Edinburgh is suitable for families with children aged 8 and up!

The game is designed as a shared experience, where puzzles, riddles and challenges can be solved together, making it accessible for both kids and adults.

Younger players can actively join by spotting details, answering questions and completing photo challenges, while adults guide the team through the more challenging parts. This makes Secrets of Edinburgh a fun and engaging activity for mixed-age groups exploring the city together.

Secrets of Edinburgh is available in 30+ languages, allowing players from all over the world to enjoy the game in their own language while exploring the city.

The game supports many widely spoken languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch, among others.

This makes Secrets of Edinburgh an accessible and enjoyable experience for international visitors, expats and mixed-language groups.

All available languages:

  • Arabic
  • Bulgarian
  • Chinese
  • Chinese (Hong Kong)
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Icelandic
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Lithuanian
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Spanish
  • Spanish (Latin America)
  • Swedish
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Vietnamese

(Language availability may vary slightly per update)

To play Secrets of Edinburgh, you only need a charged smartphone with internet access and GPS enabled. The game is fully digital, self-guided and played outdoors while exploring Edinburgh.

We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll stroll through streets and squares, and bringing a fully charged phone or power bank so you can enjoy the entire experience without interruptions.

Other than that, just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure and discover Edinburgh at your own pace!

Your favourite City Games, professionally hosted by our team

Enjoy the same City Games as our self-guided version, but with full on-site support from our professional hosts. We take care of the briefing, tablets, coordination and technical support, so your group can focus entirely on the fun and competition.

What’s included:

  • Same City Game, fully hosted
    You play the exact same experience as our self-guided version, now with our hosts guiding your group.
  • Live ranking & prize ceremony
    For larger groups, our hosts reveal the final scores and announce the winning team with a fun award moment.
  • Hosted start & finish
    We welcome your group, explain the game clearly and end with an exciting wrap-up.
  • Real-time support during the game
    Our team assists with devices, app issues and coordination throughout the experience.
  • Tablets included (optional)
    Available for groups who prefer using our devices instead of their own.

Trusted by teams worldwide, from small groups to large corporate events.

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Explore Edinburgh in a unique and interactive way with our Secrets of Edinburgh City Game. Play today and create lasting memories!