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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.
Visiting during the spooky season?
Don’t miss our guide to Edinburgh in autumn, things to do for Hallowe’en, and historic hotels.
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 Tour.
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 1.5-hour tour starts at 7 pm and costs £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.
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
