Step into the heart of Edinburgh and uncover its cultural ties to Ukraine. On this intimate 2-hour walking tour, journey through shared heritage, memory, and migration with your guide Nataliya, a storyteller, community worker, and Kyiv-born refugee who now calls Scotland home.

From the shadow of Edinburgh Castle to Ukrainian community spaces and memorials, blending personal stories, heritage landmarks, tales of unexpected royal connections and shared moments over tea and traditional treats at a local café blending Scottish and Ukrainian flavours.

Through conversation, history, and hospitality, discover how two countries far apart are closer than they seem. Come curious, leave connected.

Tour Highlights

• A Royal Connection Across Centuries: Discover how an 11th-century queen, Saint Margaret of Scotland, links Scotland to Kyiv’s royal family, making her chapel the city’s oldest surviving building with Ukrainian roots.

  Edinburgh Through a Ukrainian Lens: From the City Chambers to Calton Hill, explore public spaces where Ukrainian voices, flags, and festivals have left a visible mark, highlighting Edinburgh’s status as a long-standing twin city of Kyiv.

  Memory in Stone: Pause for reflection at a quiet monument honouring the victims of Ukraine’s darkest hour and learn how the past informs a spirit of hope and unity within the diaspora.

  Inside the Ukrainian Community Centre: Step inside a vibrant cultural hub. Hear stories of migration and resilience and meet locals keeping Ukraine’s heritage alive in Edinburgh.

  Taste the Culture at The Square Café: End your journey with a taster plate blending Ukrainian and Scottish flavours and enjoy tales behind beloved dishes served with warmth and identity.

Detailed Itinerary:

Step into the heart of Edinburgh and discover a story you’ve likely never heard, a tale that stretches from the cobbled closes of the Old Town to the golden domes of Kyiv. This isn’t just a history tour; it’s a walk-through of hidden connections, personal stories, and enduring cultural ties between Scotland and Ukraine. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or somewhere in between, this experience invites you to see the city through fresh eyes.

Your journey begins outside the National Galleries of Scotland, where your guide Nataliya will welcome you with warmth and curiosity. Surrounded by views of the castle and skyline, you’ll hear the remarkable story of Queen Margaret, an 11th-century royal whose roots trace back to Kyiv.

From there, the city unfolds in layers. You’ll pass the Duke of Wellington statue, a site of weekly Ukrainian gatherings, before climbing the historic steps to Calton Hill. Along the way, you’ll discover a plaque dedicated to Ukraine’s independence and hear light-hearted tales about culture, community, and the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.

The tone shifts gently as you arrive at the Holodomor Memorial Stone, a quiet, powerful space that honours the victims of the 1932–33 famine in Ukraine. This is a moment to pause, remember, and recognise the importance of shared memory in shaping our present and future.

Next, you’ll step into the Ukrainian Community Centre, a welcoming hub founded by post-war immigrants in 1946. Over homemade biscuits, you’ll meet members of the community and hear first-hand stories of migration, identity, and tradition. It’s an intimate chance to connect with the people who keep Ukraine’s culture alive in Scotland today.

Finally, you’ll arrive at The Square Café, a cosy, community-run spot where Ukraine meets Scotland on the plate. Settle in and enjoy a taster plate featuring Ukrainian-Scottish fusion dishes. As you eat, your guide will share the stories behind each recipe, how food can carry memory, identity, and comfort across continents.

This tour is more than landmarks and meals. It’s about the people behind them, the voices, struggles, celebrations, and quiet acts of connection that shape our cities. By the end of your walk, you won’t just know more about Ukraine in Edinburgh, you’ll feel part of a much bigger story.