Edinburgh · EDINBURGH UNDERGROUND VAULTS TOURS
The chambers inside South Bridge were sealed for a century and only a few operators hold keys to them. These 15 compare which vaults each one enters, how long you spend below ground, and what it costs, from a quick walk to a small-group hour by lamp.
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”
Spend about an hour with an English-speaking guide exploring Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults. Guides such as Josh, Louisa, Kieran, James, and Aimee mix Old Town history with tales of crime, hardship, witchcraft, and ghost sightings. Expect some above-ground walking, dark passageways, uneven footing, and a steep entrance.
“Nice tour , our guide was interesting and gave us an insight into Edinburghs dark past . Can recommend”
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.”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, and James, then enter an exclusive section of the South Bridge vaults. Expect a relaxed 90-minute tour covering overlooked Scottish stories, Canongate Kirkyard, city growth, and underground life. Groups are capped at six.
“Great tour, full of very interesting history of old Edinburgh. Lovely guide, clear, packed a lot in, gave us information that we hadn’t known before, despite being relatively local. Vaults fascinating - who lived in them, drinking dens etc. Also city walls, how Edinburgh grew and evolved as a city. Highly recommend!”
Follow a Mercat Tours storyteller from Mercat Cross into Edinburgh’s Blair Street Underground Vaults. In 75 minutes, hear about buried businesses, taverns, crime, poverty, and Burke and Hare, then see artifacts in the Vaults Museum. Guides include Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles.
“Excellent Very informative. Lots of history Wouldn’t recommend for small children because of the darkness”
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!”
Meet at John’s Coffee House in Parliament Square for a 90-minute English tasting in The Lost Close. A guide such as Mark, Dan, Haley, or Eleanor leads you through four regional whiskies, whisky-making basics, and an underground Old Town venue. Intermediate and high-end tasting levels are also available.
“Great line up of whisky, great history, great location, and great guide. Highly recommend this tour if you want a down to earth tasting in a really cool setting.”
Follow an English-speaking guide beneath Edinburgh for 80 minutes through the South Bridge vaults and Damnation Alley. Hear how people once lived below the streets, learn the area’s darker stories, and choose a daytime or nighttime departure. Guides include Ben, Beth, Rebecca, Lloyd, and Heather.
“We enjoyed the whole experience. Rebecca was an amazing host. We would recommend this tour to friends and family for their next holiday in edinburgh.”
Meet at John’s Coffee House for 90 minutes underground in The Lost Close. A whisky guide such as Mark, Eleanor, or Sara leads you through five drams from Scotland’s whisky regions, mixing old bottles, tasting tips, and Edinburgh history in a group of no more than 10.
“Such a fun time, I suggest you book multiple times to get and try even more whisky. One a day at least to get a proper feeling of the city.”
Meet at St Giles’ Cathedral at 3:30 pm and follow an expert guide into Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults. Hear grim stories of former residents and the feared South Bridge Entity in Damnation Alley. The tour ends on Niddry Street South and is limited to two people.
“On March 19th, 2025, our small lovely group led by charismatic guide Joshua descended into the dark and mysterious vaults of old Edinburgh. I was rather sceptical - until Joshua started telling us his bone-chilling stories, in the complete darkness, illuminated only by the faint light of a lantern. I still get goosebumps when I remember that strange sensation of being in the presence of something dead and ghostly! The frightening reality of the past intertwined with horror. A brilliant and fascinating tour, played out like a small performance. Bravo, Joshua! For the first time in many years, I went to bed that night with the lights on!”
Pick a close, a glen or a still room.
