Another way to chill yourself through this Halloween is to join the Edinburgh Ghosts and Gore Walking Tour. Your deceased tour guide will take you through the darker side of Edinburgh, bringing you a lot of laughs and a few frights!
The tour price includes a copy of Witchery Tales, giving you plenty to read about when safely tucked up in bed. Tours depart from outside the front of The Witchery Restaurant, located near Edinburgh Castle at 352 Castlehill (Royal Mile), EH1 2NF.
The Tour Experience
The Witchery Tour is Edinburgh’s long-running Ghost & Gore walk, led by a costumed “deceased” guide who blends genuine dark history with theatrical scares and plenty of laughs. You are walked through the closes and courtyards of the Old Town while your guide recounts tales of witch trials, plague, torture and public execution — the grisly side of the city’s past. Expect a few staged frights along the way and a strong sense of period atmosphere. Your ticket also includes a copy of Witchery Tales to read afterwards.
Meeting Point & Times
Tours depart from outside The Witchery Restaurant at 352 Castlehill on the Royal Mile, EH1 2NF — right beside Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Old Town. The walk runs in the evening, lasts around 80 minutes and costs from around £15 per person. Times and prices change seasonally, so book online through the official site to confirm and to avoid disappointment, as evening slots fill fast around Halloween.
Murder & Mystery Alternative
The same operator runs a companion Murder & Mystery tour that focuses more on true-crime tales and infamous Edinburgh characters. If you enjoy the Ghost & Gore walk you may want to pair the two on separate evenings. Both are walking tours conducted largely outdoors, so dress for Edinburgh weather whatever the season.
Who It Suits
This tour suits anyone who likes their history delivered with theatre and a wink — it is atmospheric and occasionally startling rather than genuinely terrifying. Because it is a walking tour on cobbled streets, it is less suited to those with mobility difficulties; the Edinburgh Dungeons offers a similar mood indoors, while the Real Mary King’s Close focuses on underground history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Witchery Tour start?
Tours depart from outside The Witchery Restaurant at 352 Castlehill on the Royal Mile, EH1 2NF, right next to Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Old Town.
Is the Witchery Tour frightening?
It mixes real dark history with staged scares and humour, so expect a few frights and plenty of laughs rather than outright horror. Most visitors find it atmospheric and fun.
What is included in the ticket?
The price includes the roughly 80-minute guided walk and a copy of Witchery Tales to read afterwards.
