Edinburgh Ghost & History Tours

Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by one of the city's most infamous sons as they lead you around the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets. Then, visit what is regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world at "Greyfriars Kirkyard." Finally, go deep underground and explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the streets. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers were used to house taverns and as storage space for illicit material, including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments. Journey through over 400 years of history and hear terrifying true tales of hangings, torture, murders and witchcraft. Shiver at the weird noises and unexplained smells that make an appearance after dark!

Journey along Edinburgh's Royal Mile hearing some of Edinburgh's darker history before visiting the infamous hidden and supposedly haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town. Hear tales of how the poor and unfortunate lived in these former slums. Explore these dimly lit vaults by candlelight, once the haunt of criminals, body snatchers and witches alike, said by some to now be occupied by a few of the spirits of these inhabitants long since dead. Each vault has stories of crime, disease, death and lots more... with which your guide shall enlighten you in all the gory details! You will see a genuine witchcraft temple, recently used by a Wiccan coven and you will enter their former temple. Join us to learn why it is no longer safe for them to practice their craft in that vault. DARE you step inside the infamous stone circle?

Prepare to be scared silly on a 75 minute ghost bus tour around Edinburgh’s ghoulish haunts. Under the guidance of a creepy onboard conductor, cruise around Edinburgh’s most terrifying and impressive sights, such as Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Ride in a double-decker 'Routemaster' vintage bus and feel your hairs stand on end as you hear shocking tales of grisly executions, unspeakable tortures and grim grave robbers. Discover the city’s sinister side and steel yourself for some frights on board.

Your knowledgeable guide takes you to Greyfriar's Kirkyard, home of the famous Greyfriar's Bobby – nice dog – who had cocked his leg where rotting corpses lay below and whose names were made famous in many novels and history books, sending chills down many a reader's spine. Then on to the infamous and haunted Niddry Street underground vaults, most haunted place in Edinburgh and probably one of the scariest in the world! Once home to the destitute, prostitutes, criminals, witches and a hell-fire club, and is possessed by something evil that awaits you

Dark as the devil's heart, our haunted underground network of vaults from the 1700s will stimulate and excite your senses as the sinister history of these former slum dwellings, once inhabited by the poor and unfortunate along with criminals and prostitutes, begins to come to life in your imagination! Your pulse starts to speed up as your mouth gets drier due to your heightened awareness of what surrounds you! Once experienced, never forgotten.

Learn about the alleys where the 17th century people lived in the city of Edinburgh, but especially how they died during the Black Death, and the doctors who tried to cure them with bird masks. Dicover about corpses, but about the black market of corpses from the 19th century and serial killers, William Burke and William Hare. We will visit Old Calton Cemetery and Canongate Kirkyard. We will also show you some nice views across Edinburgh whilst talking about a particularly dark chapter in the city’s history, the burning of witches and warlocks , and we will see if any of those who do this tour would have ended up on those bonfires. Learn more about Scotland’s mythical site and the Scottish faeries. All this mystery and mysticism that surrounds Edinburgh for decades attracts hundreds of tourists to the city wanting to know what happened in these centuries, are you going to miss it?

Step into Scotland's rich and mysterious past on this captivating walking tour, as you explore haunted locations and uncover chilling stories and secrets hidden along the closes and wynds of Edinburgh's Old Town. Led by an engaging character guide, this experience blends history and storytelling for an unforgettable adventure. Uncover the stories of Scotland’s accused witches, exploring their lives and the accusations they faced, and the injustices they endured, all while surrounded by the city's eerie charm. You may even learn some facts about much-loved characters from Outlander and Harry Potter! The tour will finish at Grassmarket - the very site of public executions, and where the infamous story of ‘Half-Hangit Maggie’ - one of Edinburgh’s most legendary characters - once began... Don't miss The Edinburgh Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour, an opportunity to delve into the city's fascinating past, honour those who suffered, and embrace the magic of discovery.

As darkness falls, and the witching hour creeps ever closer, join us for a spine tingling, late night, 80 minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and underground. The often brutal past of Scotland’s capital creates a wholly unique, grand but somewhat unsettling atmosphere which lends itself to evening ghost tours. Let one of our costumed guides, playing an infamous, historical character, lead you through the Old Town’s winding closes, show you the notoriously haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard and reveal one of Edinburgh’s darkest secrets – the underground vaults that snake beneath the city. Hear gory, but always entertaining and revealing, tales of ghosts, torture, executions, murder, cannibalism and witchcraft. The scares on this tour do not depend on jump scares or cheap tricks but good storytelling.

Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...

Venture beneath Edinburgh’s streets and discover the city’s most haunted underground vaults — a chilling world of shadows and secrets, the Blair Street Underground Vaults, exclusively accessible with Mercat Tours. This immersive ghost tour offers a spine-tingling glimpse into true tales of Edinburgh’s dark past. Abandon thoughts of manufactured frights and make-believe scares. In the Blair Street Underground Vaults, it’s the true history that haunts. The skill is in the enhanced storytelling. These vaults witnessed the deeds of mischief-makers and murderers, vagrants, and torturers. It’s said to be one of Edinburgh’s most haunted sites, where restless spirits still tread to this day. Your cloaked Mercat Tours master storyteller will lead you through the shadowy closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. These dark and dreary streets are untouched by daylight, filled with a strange silence – their damp walls carrying only the faintest echo of the crowds on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Join if you dare! This tour is strictly for over 18's only. Journey into our network of haunted underground vaults below the South Bridge, you shall visit a torture exhibition to see the instruments from the “Burning Times”, used to extract confessions, and punish the unfortunate. Then bravely enter the haunted vaults, named most haunted place in Edinburgh! Visit the recently used Wiccan Temple, the cursed stone circled vault (as featured on Most Haunted Live) and the Legendary Haunted Vault... Who knows what might happen? Will the Poltergeist attack? You have been warned. This tour is for over 18s only.

The evening begins with a stroll through the dark closes and wynds of Old Town Edinburgh before descending into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults, where the scents and sounds of the past come alive. Finally, we’ll retire to a candlelit cellar for a dram of Scotch whisky and an intimate evening of ghostly storytelling. Listen to grisly tales of witchcraft, torture and restless spirits as you venture down medieval closes and descend into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults of Edinburgh on this ghost tour. Hear the distant clatter of workmen and whispers of criminals as you’re immersed in the atmosphere of the past. As night thickens, we’ll gather together in Megget’s Cellar for a whisky — or if you’re not fond of a dram, a glass of locally-made beer or soft drink. In the warmth of candlelight, your Storyteller will conjure more tales of Edinburgh’s ghoulish past, and the tortured souls that stalk the city’s streets.

Experience the eerie and frightening atmosphere of the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults, which Mercat Tours has exclusive access to. Beware, though, for maybe those whispers you hear aren't just in your head... It might be something to do with the change in temperature. Or the perpetual darkness. Or the ever smaller rooms, stretching beyond the weak beam of a torch or flicker of candlelight. Whatever the reason, there’s something unsettling about the Blair Street Underground Vaults — and your master Storyteller will reveal the troubling tales on this underground Edinburgh ghost tour. From there, it’s on to the spooky Canongate graveyard, where the spirits of the dead await. On this Edinburgh underground vaults and graveyard ghost tour, you’ll hear countless tales of dastardly deeds and ghostly sightings in the very places where they occurred.

Go on a haunted Edinburgh tour where you will follow clues to discover striking places and local stories. Play the role of a devilish staff on this spine-tingling walking tour, which takes you on a journey through some of the city’s most haunted places, including Greyfriars Kirkyard, the site of the Nor’ Loch and West Bow. Are you ready for a haunted walk around Edinburgh? Discover Edinburgh’s dark and bloody past, from the Great Scottish Witch Hunts to the Burke and Hare murders and learn about the haunting stories of the Wizard of West Bow, the Grey Lady, George Mackenzie and more. Explore the many sites where public executions were held and visit the hall containing a book made of William Burke’s flesh Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, an outdoor escape game, and a treasure hunt.

This is easily our goriest, most graphic and spine-chilling Edinburgh ghost tour, where we take you on a dark and eerie journey through Old Town’s sinister wynds and closes before descending into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults. Hear of tales not fit for the glare of daylight — or for those under the age of 18. Descend into the sights, smells and sounds of auld Edinburgh. Perhaps what’s spookiest of all is that these twisted tales of history at its worst are all true stories. Your ghost tour begins above ground at the Mercat Cross, before making your way through the city’s narrow cobblestone streets where murders, misdeeds and mischief took place. Pay attention to the shadows around you. Your master Storyteller will reveal troubled tales as you continue this underground Edinburgh walking tour. Expect true stories of murder and hangings, all in the atmosphere of the vaults.