Britain · GHOST TOURS IN EDINBURGH
Good ghost tours in Edinburgh fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile through old closes to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the South Bridge vaults. Your costumed guide plays a historical character, mixing grim stories, local history, and theatrical scares. The 6:45pm departure suits families, while later tours may feel more atmospheric.
“We had a really good time! David was amazing, lots of information and fun! 100% recommend this to everybody :)”
Walk from Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket into the vaults beneath South Bridge on a one-hour English tour with Auld Reekie Tours. Guides such as Josh, Louisa, James, Kieran, and Aimee combine Edinburgh history with stories of crime, poverty, witchcraft, and ghosts. Expect uneven ground, tight passageways, steep steps, and no toilet stop.
“I loved the tour of the vaults! Guide did a great job explaining the history of the vaults and the city. The problem was the group was too large. We had 40 people in the tour. Made it difficult to get around in the vaults and even harder to hear the tour guide. People would talk constantly and the guide couldn’t control such a large group.”
Ride through Edinburgh after dark on a vintage Routemaster while an in-character guide such as Tommy Terror or Sinead O’Horror tells stories of Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, and restless spirits. The 60 to 75 minute tour passes the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse, Greyfriars, and Grassmarket. Expect theatrical fun rather than a serious history lesson.
“The tour is brill and interesting. Enjoyed the tour. The tour guide and drive made the tour. Kept all the visitors going”
Walk from the Royal Mile into Edinburgh’s underground vaults with guides such as James, Louisa, Dom, and Aimee. Expect dark history, torture exhibits, ghost stories, steep stairs, and a quick 40-minute look at the vaults. The tour is in English, capped at 36 people, and best for ages 12 and up.
“This tour was short at sweet, and while not terribly "haunted", was a great way to learn a bit more about the city and it's architecture. Our host, James, was informative and seemed like a perfect fit for the tour! Also, this is majority indoors, so it's a good tour while raining”
Walk Edinburgh after dark with guides such as James, Diva, Jordan, Darren, or Brendan, visiting Greyfriars Graveyard and the South Bridge Vaults. Expect a 90-minute blend of burial-ground stories, grim city history, and reported paranormal tales. It is atmospheric and funny rather than theatrical, with no planned jump scares.
“Jordan was our tour guide. It was a great experience. It was very interesting hearing all of the stories and entertaining! If you love a good scare, my wife had to leave because she got too scared in the underground vaults! I finished the our and loved it. Recommend to everyone!”
Follow a cloaked Mercat guide from Mercat Cross through Edinburgh’s Old Town, hearing stories of murder, torture, and body snatching before entering the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The 75-minute tour is limited to 18 people, uses English storytelling, and relies on atmosphere rather than jump scares.
“Half an hr walking tour and told about how criminals were tortured, and about ghosts.Half an hr in Blair underground vaults, being told about resident ghosts and how people lived down there.Nicola was our guide and she was great, very dramatic”
Meet a costumed storyteller at 9:15 pm for an 80-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and South Bridge vaults. Guides such as David Rizzio, Lafayette, Dr Knox, and Raticus use dark history, ghost tales, humor, and theatrical character work. Expect cold air, narrow passages, uneven ground, and a lively group setting.
“Great fun. Really informative. You need comfy shoes as lots of walking. James Douglas you are a legend.”
Meet your guide at Mercat Cross for a short Old Town walk, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Expect 75 minutes of stories about workshops, taverns, poverty, medical crimes, and life beneath South Bridge. Guides such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles are known for lively delivery. Low light and uneven floors require care.
“What a fascinating piece of history. Really interesting and informative. Our guide was clear and enthusiastic and it was well paced and had loads of interesting facts which made the tour a really fascinating part of our trip to Edinburgh”
Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Old Calton Cemetery, and Canongate Kirkyard with guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin, and Joe. Expect a lively English-language evening of murders, body snatching, witches, graveyard tales, and old city stories. It is best for visitors who enjoy history with a spooky edge, not only traditional ghost stories.
“Jen was great, really informative and captivating with her storytelling and knowledge. Brought the history of Edinburgh to life. A great way to scratch the surface of Edinburgh's past”
Follow a costumed or theatrically presented guide such as Juniper, Hazel, or Angelica through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Hear about witch trials, Mary Queen of Scots, North Berwick witches, accused women, warlocks, and Half-Hangit Maggie. The 75-minute walk runs from Parliament Square to Grassmarket over cobbles, steps, and steep streets.
“Our witchey leader Juniper was the best❣️She made you feel like you had taken a trip back in time. Highly recommend this tour.”
Meet at Mercat Cross for a two-hour evening walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults. A cloaked storyteller such as Sarah, Steph, Michael, Jack, or Jade leads the tales of witchcraft, crime, and ghosts. Finish with a Scotch dram, beer, or soft drink in Megget’s Cellar.
“This tour was very informative and entertaining. Michael our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as well as a fantastic story teller. Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting the beautiful city of Edinburgh.”
Start at Mercat Cross for a night walk through Edinburgh’s grim past, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults by candlelight. An English-speaking guide such as Nicola, Emily, or Ross leads stories of crime, hangings, bodysnatchers, and hauntings. The one-hour tour suits visitors who want atmosphere more than detailed archaeology.
“Jade is a great story/historian. The headphones and mic system worked well and the timing was just right.”
Follow a costumed Mercat Tours guide from Mercat Cross into the Blair Street vaults, then through Old Town to Canongate Kirkyard. Expect theatrical tales of witches, body snatchers, cannibalism, and restless spirits. Groups are capped at 18, with guides such as Sarah, Shannon, Marina, and Michael bringing the dark stories to life.
“Our guide Jason gave a great tour. He was very theatrical and very knowledgable of the history of the area. It was a beautiful evening as well. The meeting spot was very easy to find. We enjoyed the underground part the most. In my one photo we can see a person, with people surrounding her. This was supposedly in the room with a female spirit. Spooky and a fun time for all!”
Meet your English-speaking local guide by the Tree of the Dead outside St Giles Cathedral. Walk through Edinburgh’s closes and alleys, then enter Greyfriars Kirkyard and its locked Covenantors’ Prison, linked to the Mackenzie Poltergeist. Guides such as Ross, Grant, and Gerry bring history, humor, and frightening stories to a small group of no more than five.
“This is definitely should be on your list if things you must do in edinburgh. The tour guide grant was fantastic with all the facts for the tour but with a fantastic sense of humour.”
Meet at 8:15 pm on Edinburgh’s High Street for a 75-minute Spanish-language walk through the Old Town, Greyfriars Cemetery, and underground vaults. Guides including Rosa Mari and William Brodie combine ghost stories, witchcraft, torture, and humor. The small group has a maximum of six people, and the tour ends where it begins.
“Muy bien contando por un guía excepcional (Deacon Brodie) ,ameno y divertido. Lo hemos pasado genial y hemos aprendido mucho sobre la vida en otras épocas en la ciudad y sus leyendas. Lo recomiendo.”
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