Edinburgh · EDINBURGH GHOST TOURS
Edinburgh does this better than anywhere because the history is genuinely grim and the streets are still standing. The 15 below range from a theatrical bus to a lamplit hour underground, priced, timed and clear about which ones will frighten a child.
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a costumed guide such as David, Maggie Dickinson, or Dr. Robert Knox, then visit Greyfriars Kirkyard and descend into South Bridge’s dark vaults. Expect macabre history, audience interaction, some steps, and a family-friendly 6:45pm departure.
“This was a very entertaining tour from start to finish. Prepare to be verbally abused 😂. The guide was knowledgeable and fun. Thank you”
Meet your English-speaking guide at 6:30 pm on the Royal Mile for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s dark past. Hear tales of Burke and Hare, witch trials, executions, and hauntings while visiting Calton Hill and a historic cemetery, then finish at a pub near the Royal Mile.
“We booked this on the spur of the moment and had a great time! G is exceptionally well-versed in this subject so if you have questions he has the answers. It is a lot of standing and a fair few hills (fine with us but you may have different feelings). Ten out of ten, would recommend.”
Ride a vintage Routemaster through Edinburgh after dark with an English-speaking guide such as Tommy Terror. Hear grim tales of Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, and haunted sites including Greyfriars and Grassmarket, with theatrical effects, city views, and a comic horror performance.
“While this was fun, we were jam packed into an overheated bus that was very hard to see out of. The stories were very interesting and the guide was entertaining but the end with the ghost was a bit over the top. Would not recommend for small children.”
Meet your guide on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, walk to the vault entrance, then explore underground rooms and a torture exhibit. Guides such as James, Louisa, Dom, and Aimee mix dark history, ghost stories, humor, and time for questions. Expect steep stairs, tight spaces, and an English-language tour.
“The stories are a little gruesome but fascinating! Our guide Luisa was great and we loved how she allowed a lot of time for questions.”
Walk Edinburgh after dark with guides such as James, Diva, Jordan, Darren, or Brendan, visiting Greyfriars Graveyard and the South Bridge Vaults. Expect a lively mix of burial history, torture, death, paranormal tales, and local stories rather than a theatrical jump-scare show.
“It was really good and interesting and the tour guide who’s name was Darren was really good at telling the stories of the graveyard and vaults had a great time”
Follow a cloaked Mercat guide from Mercat Cross through Edinburgh’s Old Town, then descend into the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Expect murder tales, body-snatching stories, dramatic storytelling, narrow stairs, and no staged jump scares. Guides such as Steph, Shannon, and Mike bring different energy to the hour-long experience.
“The experience of the vault was great and go with an open mined you my get to discover something your not expecting like a cold hand or an image meny thanks to our guide Maria”
Join a costumed storyteller at 9:15 pm for an 80-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the South Bridge vaults. Expect dark tales, theatrical guides such as David Rizzio, Lafayette, or Dr Knox, narrow passages, and plenty of humor alongside the scares.
“We went on April 9th at 9:15pm. I don’t remember our guide’s name, but he was such a good story teller! It made the whole experience better. It was so fun.”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Ben, Nat, Ian, or Grant for a small-group night walk from St Giles’ Cathedral to Greyfriars Kirkyard. You’ll enter the South Bridge Vaults, hear Edinburgh’s darker stories, and visit the restricted Covenanter’s Prison.
“My friend and I went on this tour not expecting much as we had done a similar one the evening before with a different company but we were pleasantly surprised as this took us to different underground vaults and greyfriars kirkyard where we learned some spooky history and stories. Our tour guide Ben was absolutely fabulous with his story telling, with lots of laughs and a few jumpscares throughout which added that little bit extra to it. We done the tour through Storm Amy with very high winds and rain but again this made it a little more spooktacular. We would highly recommend.”
Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with guides such as Robert, James, Joe, Kieran, or Lydia, hearing true stories of executions, plague, body snatching, and old city life. The tour ends at Canongate Kirk and focuses more on history than jump scares.
“Learned so much on this tour. Be prepared for lots of walking and weather changes - but that's a given in Scotland. Would definitely recommend!”
Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and historic kirkyards for 1 hour 45 minutes with guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin, and Joe. Expect stories about Burke and Hare, body snatching, murders, witches, graveyards, and old city life. It is atmospheric and historical, but not always a traditional ghost tour.
“The tour guide was very experienced and very helpful towards my visually impaired daughter. Took time to explain lots”
Follow an English-speaking guide such as Juniper, Hazel, or Angelica from St Giles’ Cathedral to Grassmarket. Hear stories of witch trials, warlocks, Mary Queen of Scots, and Half-Hangit Maggie while walking Edinburgh’s steep, cobbled Old Town.
“In spite of the rain was a nice tour. We were running late with our Uber and got a quick response in how to handle delay. The guide was amazing with her theatrics! In spite of her trying so hard to speak to everyone her mic couldn’t keep up. All in all was a fun tour.”
Follow a cloaked storyteller through Edinburgh’s Old Town, from Mercat Cross to the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Hear tales of murder, witchcraft, and restless spirits, then settle into Megget’s Cellar for Scotch whisky, beer, or a soft drink. Groups are capped at 18.
“Thank you to our wonderful tour guide Sarah! She shared fun/creepy stories with dramatic flair and welcomed audience participation. We really enjoyed the last part of the tour where we relaxed by candlelight in a mysterious underground vault, sipped a nice whisky (other beverages were available) and listened to more history and ghost stories!”
Start at Mercat Cross with guide-led tales of Edinburgh’s crimes, hangings, and legends, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults by candlelight. Guides such as Nicola, Emily, Ross, and Stephanie are known for strong storytelling. Expect a spooky one-hour walk for up to 18 people.
“Really enjoyable walk through the underground vaults. Sophie was AMAZING. She tells the tales of Old Edinburgh in a spine chilling manner. Loved the headphones. They made it easy to hear and immerse yourself in the experience.”
Join a costumed Mercat Tours guide such as Shannon, Sarah, or Michael for 1 hour 45 minutes of ghost stories, dark Edinburgh history, Blair Street vaults, and Canongate Kirkyard. The group is capped at 18, with most of the tour outdoors, so wear warm layers and sturdy shoes.
“This was a fun tour! The guide, Sarah, was very knowledgeable and fun! I would recommend this tour for sure!”
Join an over-18 walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town, South Bridge Vaults, and a torture exhibition. Guides such as James, Darren, Ally, and Jordan mix dark history, ghost stories, humor, and personal paranormal tales. Expect tight stairs, uneven ground, and a spooky rather than terrifying experience.
“We had James as our guide. Unfortunately he outed that I was a witch. KIDDING. He was the best guide for us. Definitely a spooky experience.”
Pick a close, a glen or a still room.
