Learn about the Old Town’s shady characters, devious underbelly, and secret underground during these ghost tours in Edinburgh. The following suggestions reveal a darker side to the city, shining an alternative light on popular attractions and guiding you on foot or wheels through Auld Reekie’s twisted history.
Updated September 2026
Visiting during the spooky season?
Don’t miss our guide to Edinburgh in autumn, things to do for Hallowe’en, and historic hotels.
| Tour | Price | Duration | Area | Age | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witchery Ghosts & Gore | £16 adult | 90 min | Castlehill, Royal Mile | 5+ | Walking ghost tour |
| City of the Dead Darkside | £20 adult | 2 hours | Canongate, Calton Hill | 12+ | Dark history walk |
| South Bridge Vaults Tour | £20 adult | 60 min | South Bridge Vaults | 5+ | Underground vaults |
| Free Ghost Tour | Pay-what-you-feel | 90 min | Old Town | All ages | Tip-based walk |
| Extreme Paranormal Underground | £20 adult | ~2 hours | Old Town, Vaults | 18+ | Late-night investigation |
| Comedy Ghost Bus | ~£18 | 75 min | City-wide (bus) | All ages | Seated comedy tour |
| Mercat Haunted Underground | £27 adult | 75 min | Blair Street Vaults | 5+ | Underground vaults |
| City of the Dead Graveyard | £19 adult | 90 min | Greyfriars Kirkyard | 12+ | Graveyard walk |
| Edinburgh Dungeon | from £20.12 | 70–80 min | Market Street (indoor) | 5+ | Walk-through show |
Edinburgh’s Scariest Ghost Tours
1. The Witchery Tour
One of Edinburgh’s most popular ghost tours is hosted by the award-winning The Cadies & Witchery Tours, operating since 1985. Tours depart from outside The Witchery Restaurant at 352 Castlehill (EH1 2NF), near Edinburgh Castle.
The guide is the deceased 1840s Edinburgh Cemetery Director, Alexander Clapperton.
This Old Town tour covers the topics of torture, the plague, witchcraft and invasion, in a light tone.
It also introduces you to some of the best-known Edinburgh legends that we’ve documented here if you want to show off your knowledge!
The 90-minute tour departs at 7 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and costs £16 per adult (£12 for children aged 5–15).
It does sell out, so it is advised to reserve your ticket to avoid disappointment.
2. Ghost Walk in Edinburgh
You are probably aware that Edinburgh is known for the likes of tartan, whisky, and bagpipes, but what about body-snatching?
Burke and Hare were two Irish men whose greed was so great that they would dig up newly rested bodies and serve them to physician Dr Knox at the University of Edinburgh, all in the name of science money.
There are many twists to this story, which you will find out during this two-hour tour.
The starting time is 6:30 pm, tickets cost £20 and include a visit to Canongate Kirkyard and the mausoleums.
3. Underground Tours
Edinburgh was once a walled city–cramped, dirty and uncomfortable.
Its ever-increasing population eventually resulted in the decision to dig below the cobbled streets, to create space for businesses.
However, after its opening, the intended beneficiaries refused to open shops, and the desperate moved underground, manned by undesirables who took advantage of those in need.
Today, brave souls can visit this mysterious underground world, but only with a guided South Bridge Vaults tour like this one.
I’ve personally done and reviewed the 60-minute tour; you can read my thorough review here.
Spoiler: It’s fantastic.
What makes this unique compared to others is that within their vault is a temple and rock circle created by The Source Coven Of The Blue Dragon.
Tours run from morning through to late afternoon and cost £20.
Tip: Wear closed shoes as the vaults are damp, and keep your mouth closed, ha!
4. Free* Ghost Tour
Straight up: There is no such thing as a free ghost tour in Edinburgh.
Free tours play by a “pay-what-you-feel” policy, and often suggest how much the tour is worth.
You can take advantage of the free upfront costs, but be prepared to pay at the end.
This daily tour runs every night from 7pm for 1.5 hours.
5. Edinburgh Night Ghost Tours
This is an adults-only late-night tour, which says it all!
Starting at 09:15 pm, follow your guide draped in full period costume through the Old Town, among the spirits of the city’s oldest cemetery, and underground to the South Bridge Vaults.
Tickets are £20 per person.
6. Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour
I love this tour; it is so entertaining!
Customers alight at the midnight black bus and take their seats where dead bodies were once stored.
The guide, who has a touch of theatrics, introduces you to your dubious bus driver, who will take you around the city on six wheels.
Hold on to your hats, though; funny going-ons are known to take place on this vintage Routemaster bus!
There’s a 10-minute stop at St Cuthbert’s Church with a walk through the city graveyard.
Highly recommended by Everything Edinburgh.
7. Mercat Tours – Haunted Underground
Award-winning Mercat Tours have been guiding Edinburgh’s dark history walks since 1985. Their Haunted Underground tour descends into the Blair Street Vaults – a separate underground chamber system to the South Bridge Vaults – for a 75-minute multi-sensory experience. From £27 per adult (£21 child, £24 concession).
Their Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls combines an Old Town walking tour with vault entry, from £25 per adult. Both tours depart from Mercat House, 28 Blair Street, EH1 1QR. Ages 5+ (except adults-only witches walks).
8. City of the Dead – Haunted Graveyard Tour
City of the Dead Tours hold exclusive after-dark access to the locked Covenanters’ Prison section of Greyfriars Kirkyard – the site of the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist, with over 500 documented physical incidents since 1998. Their Haunted Graveyard Tour runs ~90 minutes from the Tree of the Dead beside St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile.
£19 per adult, £17 student/retired. No children under 12. The tour includes entry to the Covenanters’ Prison and Black Mausoleum – areas normally locked to the public. Summer departures at 21:00, winter at 20:30.
9. The Edinburgh Dungeon
Not a ghost tour in the traditional sense, but Edinburgh’s Dungeon offers a 70–80-minute walk-through of 10 themed live-action shows plus two rides, covering the city’s darkest history from plague to body-snatching. Located at 31 Market Street, EH1 1DF, beside Waverley station.
Standard tickets from £20.12 online (rising to £23 from September 2026). Open 10:30–17:00, last tour 16:45. Pre-booking essential. Not suitable for under-5s.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ghost tours in Edinburgh cost?
Adult tickets typically range from £15–£27. The free ghost tour operates on a pay-what-you-feel basis (expect to pay £10–£15). Premium tours with exclusive access (Mercat, City of the Dead) are at the higher end.
Which Edinburgh ghost tour is best for children?
The Comedy Ghost Bus and South Bridge Vaults tours are suitable for all ages. Mercat Tours accept children from 5+. The Witchery Tour is recommended for 5+. City of the Dead and Extreme Paranormal tours are adults-only or 12+/18+.
Are Edinburgh ghost tours wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility varies. The Witchery Tour offers a wheelchair-accessible route on request. Most vault tours involve stairs and damp, uneven floors and are not suitable for wheelchairs. The Edinburgh Dungeon is partially accessible. Check with operators before booking.
Do I need to book Edinburgh ghost tours in advance?
Yes, especially in summer and around Halloween. The Witchery Tour and City of the Dead frequently sell out. Free tours can be joined on the night but still benefit from advance booking. The Edinburgh Dungeon requires pre-booked time slots.
What is the most haunted place in Edinburgh?
Greyfriars Kirkyard tops most lists, particularly the locked Covenanters’ Prison where the Mackenzie Poltergeist has reportedly attacked over 500 visitors since 1998. The South Bridge Vaults and Blair Street Vaults also rank highly for paranormal activity.
Other Edinburgh Dark Tourism Guides
- Spooky Things to Do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh’s Haunting Legends
- Edinburgh in Autumn
- Every Harry Potter Location Muggles Can’t Miss
- Bonfire Night in Edinburgh & Story of Guy Fawkes
