Urban Trails has launched new walking tour experience in Edinburgh, which is set to revolutionise the walking tour market nationally.
‘The Cold Case of Ewan Mackenzie’ offers a singular experience, not seen in walking tours before, and is playable through the company’s unique web-app. This is the second trail by the company, with the first launching in Oxford earlier this year. The trails incorporate animated puzzles and immersive rich media to give a playing experience beyond the norm. What makes Urban Trails’ tour experience special is the players’ control over the story and overall outcome of the trail.
Operating entirely from a smartphone with no app download required, the experience guides players to Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks – from Greyfriars Kirkyard to Calton Hill and beyond – solving location-based puzzles while an animated guide enlists their help in solving a century’s old missing person investigation. Players choose their own responses and can drastically alter the outcome of the quest through their decisions. With both a leisurely ‘Casual Mode’ and a competitive ‘Race Mode’, participants can start whenever they want and play at their own pace. The trail is currently 50% off to celebrate the release making it under £10 per person, and each ticket includes a shareable link allowing friends and family to follow along on multiple screens. Founder Joseph Smith, felt that the experience of exploring the iconic city of Edinburgh could be transformed by weaving story, history, and mystery into one dynamic digital experience.
“We’re not trying to replace traditional walking tours or the brilliant guides who lead them; that personal, in-person connection is irreplaceable,” says Joseph Smith, Founder of Urban Trails.
“What we’re offering is something completely different: a way to explore the city on your own terms, at your own pace, with an experience that responds to your choices. It’s closer to playing a game than taking a tour, but you’re learning real history along the way. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and family who are experts in their fields of acting, marketing, and web development, so I enlisted their help and after months of experimentation we’ve built something that I’m genuinely proud of. “
Following the Edinburgh launch, Smith and his team of four will next release a raucous trail in Bath, ‘Dates & Dateability’, where players navigate Regency high society and meet Jane Austen’s most eligible bachelors under the guidance of a ruthless matchmaker. More trails are scheduled for release later this year as Urban Trails expands across the UK. ‘The Cold Case of Ewan Mackenzie’ is available to book now at https://urban-trails.co.uk/locations/edinburgh/games/case-of-ewan-mackenzie/. Players can choose between Casual Mode for a leisurely exploration or Race Mode to compete against other teams. The experience takes approximately 2-3 hours and requires only a smartphone and an internet connection.
About Urban Trails
Urban Trails creates interactive walking game-tours that transform city exploration into immersive puzzle-solving adventures. Founded by Joseph Smith with his Edinburgh-based team, Urban Trails combines storytelling, history, and technology to deliver experiences where players’ choices shape the narrative and outcome. With trails across Oxford, Edinburgh, and Bath, more cities launching throughout 2026, Urban Trails offers both casual exploration and competitive race modes, making history accessible and engaging for all ages. Each trail is playable via smartphone with no app download required. For more information, visit www.urban-trails.co.uk
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