Did you know that everyone used to eat oysters in Edinburgh? This bougie meal from the sea was not reserved only for those who could afford to dine in Leith’s finest fish restaurants as it is today. This is one of the many unknown facts about the city we learned during this underground Edinburgh tour.
Updated September 2026
Have you been to Auld Reekie if you haven’t seen the city above and below? That’s right. Among the closes and wynds of the Old Town is a bridge with 19 arches, only one of which is visible.
Between these arches is a series of damp, dank vaults that were only recently discovered.
You can visit them during a guided Edinburgh vaults tour.
| Operator | Tour Name | Duration | Price (from) | Meeting Point | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auld Reekie Tours | The Vaults Tour | 60 min | £24 pp | 300 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PH | 5+ |
| Mercat Tours | Historic Vaults | 75 min | £27 pp | Mercat Cross, High Street | 5+ |
| City of the Dead Tours | Underground Vaults | 90 min | £19 pp | St Giles’ Cathedral (side) | 12+ |
| Auld Reekie Tours | The Terror Tour | 75 min | £26 pp | 300 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PH | 18+ |
| GetYourGuide | Underground Vaults Tour | 60 min | ~£24 pp | Royal Mile (at booking) | 5+ |
Edinburgh South Bridge
The construction of the South Bridge started in 1785 to connect the Old Town with the New Town in the south and to make way for the city’s first custom shopping street, which is now where you see Subway near Hunter Square, just off the Royal Mile.
It was planned that trades such as cobblers would use the vaults as shop premises, but the rushed job of the build created unpleasant conditions and there was no sunshine or running water.
Alongside this, locals were suspicious that South Bridge was cursed, so businesses moved out, and the less fortunate moved in, creating a vacuum of debauchery.
The foundation stone was laid on 1 August 1785 by Lord Haddo, Grand Master Mason of Scotland. The bridge was completed in 1788 – measuring 1,000 feet long and standing 31 feet above the Cowgate at its highest point. It was Edinburgh’s first purpose-built shopping street, with as much space as possible utilised for commerce.
The opening ceremony was cursed from the start: the oldest female resident was meant to be the first to cross, but she died before the day. Her coffin made the ceremonial crossing instead, fuelling the superstition that South Bridge was cursed. Many locals refused to use it.
Beneath the bridge lie approximately 120 vaulted chambers, ranging from two to forty square metres. The construction was rushed and the surface was never properly sealed against water. By 1795, just seven years after opening, businesses began abandoning the waterlogged vaults.
What Was The Underground City in Edinburgh Like?
Although expanding, Edinburgh was much smaller back in the 18th century, and not everyone could afford rent.
The Edinburgh Guard did not take kindly to homelessness, and the influx of people moving to the city to look for work forced many underground.
Gangs formed to police Edinburgh’s underground city, charging for the damp space, which resulted in many women being forced into prostitution.
It wasn’t a desirable or safe place for locals or immigrants, but it was a roof or vault over their heads.
Many people died because of these living conditions, and some say their spirits and stories live on in the vaults.
The vaults were eventually filled with rubble and forgotten until a century later when a former Scotland international rugby player discovered the labyrinth while renovating his flat.
Norrie Rowan and his son found oyster shells and other artefacts showing signs of previous life.
The vaults were claimed by owners of the homes above or sold off to private companies, which is why you can now tour the South Bridge underground!
Edinburgh Vaults Tour
The Edinburgh Vaults Tour meets across from Deacon Brodies Tavern on the Royal Mile, next to the box at the Bank of Scotland.
On arrival, your guide will check everyone in, ask if anyone has medical conditions, and then explain the itinerary for the one-hour Edinburgh caves tour.
On the way down the Royal Mile, you’ll hear facts about some of the Old Town landmarks, such as St Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross, and an explanation for why people spit in the Heart of Midlothian.
Before you get to the Edinburgh underground street, you’ll learn more about ground-level history, such as the World’s End gate, the 80 closes in the city, and what to do if you hear the word ‘gardyloo’.
As you go down to the vault, you’ll see the only visible arch of South Bridge at the Cowgate.
With a name like that, you won’t be surprised to hear that this area was once where cattle passed through.
By the 18th century, it wasn’t the nicest of places, mostly occupied by ‘merchants, gamblers, thieves, jesters and ladies of the night, creating an infamous melting pot of mischief‘.
Today, the Cowgate is where you will find bars, clubs in caves and one of the most romantic hotels in the city.
Are Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults Haunted?
The vaults tour is often referred to as the ‘Edinburgh underground ghost tour’ because many lives were lost due to the cramped, damp and poorly ventilated conditions.
Local legends Burke and Hare, the infamous grave robbers and murderers, were said to catch their victims down there before selling the fresh bodies to medicine.
Our guide, Darren, explained that some visitors have felt the air change cold, tugs on coats and scratches to the skin.
TV shows like I Believe In Ghosts have filmed in the vaults, and the celeb guest, Joe Swash (Eastenders), reported spooky goings-on.
We’ve done two underground vault tours now, and what stands out about this one is Darren’s natural ability to balance friendliness with a touch of theatrics and the vault’s relationship with The Source Coven Of The Blue Dragon.
In the 1990s, the late Wiccan High Priest of The Source Coven Of The Blue Dragon, George Cameron, also known as The Hermit, set up a temple in one vault linked to the torturing of witches to try to rid it of evil.
He built a rock circle that still stands today.
After the attempt to remove evil failed, Cameron abandoned the room and recommended sealing it up.
You can visit it during the tour.
The coven set up their temple in another room, which you can see through barred windows.
Edinburgh Vaults Tour Operators & Prices
Several operators run guided tours of the South Bridge Vaults. Each covers slightly different ground – from pure history to paranormal investigation. Here’s how they compare:
Mercat Tours is the only operator with exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the oldest and deepest system of caverns beneath South Bridge. Auld Reekie Tours runs the most frequent departures (every 30 minutes from 10am). City of the Dead offers the best value at £19 and includes both the vaults and Greyfriars Graveyard on their longer tours.
What To Wear During The Edinburgh South Bridge Tour
Since you meet on the Royal Mile, which is not far from Niddry Street, where the entrance to the vault is located, there isn’t much walking required during this tour.
However, you will walk on cobbles overground and upstairs to get into the vaults, which is slightly mind-bending since you are going underground!
The South Bridge vault floor can be wet and uneven, so wear closed-toe shoes that you feel steady in.
I’d avoid a high heel and stick to something relatively flat. A chunky boot heel would pass; just watch your footing on the stairs.
I’ve done the vaults twice now, once in October and once in May and I was freezing during the Halloween tour, so pack layers and be prepared for water dripping on you.
Here’s our Edinburgh packing list for more tips.
Essential Information
- Meeting point: Old Town location specified at time of booking
- Your guide will ask if there are any medical issues
- Wear sensible shoes and layers
- Guided tour: 1 hour
If you visit Edinburgh during the spooky season, you may like our autumn guide to the city.
Do You Have To Reserve A Ticket?
Tour guides must account for each visitor, so it is best to reserve your ticket online.
Tours will sell out during high season, so book to avoid disappointment.
Cancellations
With GetYourGuide, tours have a 24-hour cancellation guarantee, so you don’t lose your money if you can’t make it.
Accessibility & Practical Information
The Edinburgh Vaults are not wheelchair accessible. The entrance requires climbing a 2-foot step followed by a winding spiral staircase. Inside, the floors are uneven, wet, and have mezzanine staircases of 5–7 steps between levels. The tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility impairments.
- Age restrictions: Most vaults tours accept children aged 5+. The Terror Tour and evening ghost tours are 18+ only. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Temperature: The vaults stay around 8–12°C year-round. Pack layers – you will feel the cold, especially in winter.
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential. The floor is wet and uneven.
- Toilets: No toilet facilities during the tour. Use facilities before arrival.
- Photography: Most operators forbid filming or live streaming during the tour.
- Duration: Standard tours last 60–75 minutes. Longer combined tours (vaults + graveyard) run 90–105 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Edinburgh Vaults tour?
Most vaults tours last between 60 and 75 minutes. The standard underground vaults tour covers about an hour of guided history and ghost stories beneath South Bridge. Extended tours that include Greyfriars Graveyard or a torture exhibition run 90–105 minutes.
Are the Edinburgh Vaults wheelchair accessible?
No. The vaults entrance has a 2-foot step followed by a spiral staircase. The uneven, wet floor and narrow passages make them unsuitable for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility. All major operators confirm this restriction.
Can children visit the Edinburgh Vaults?
Most operators accept children aged 5 and above on standard daytime tours. The Terror Tour (Auld Reekie) and most evening ghost tours are strictly 18+ only. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The vaults are dark and can be frightening for younger children.
How much does an Edinburgh Vaults tour cost?
Prices start from £19 for the City of the Dead underground vaults tour (90 minutes). Auld Reekie Tours charges £24 for their standard 60-minute vaults tour. Mercat Tours’ Historic Vaults tour is £27 for 75 minutes with exclusive Blair Street access. Booking platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator typically list tours from around £22–£29.
Which Edinburgh Vaults tour is best?
For history: Mercat Tours’ Historic Vaults (exclusive Blair Street access, 75 minutes, multi-sensory audio). For ghosts: Auld Reekie’s Terror Tour (18+, includes torture exhibition). For families: Auld Reekie’s standard Vaults Tour (60 minutes, ages 5+, frequent departures). For budget: City of the Dead (£19, 90 minutes, includes vaults and graveyard).
Other Things To Do In The Old Town
There is no shortage of things to do in this lively area of the city!
Head down to the Cowgate and Grassmarket for drinks. Here’s a list of our favourite Old Town pubs and restaurants.
Grab a coffee at a trendy cafe on Cockburn Street.
Scran makes a great cocktail, The Milkman is often cited as the best coffee in the city, and Laila’s is pink.
If you love chocolate and want to make your own, visit The Chocolatarium, located halfway down the Royal Mile at the Canongate.
Here’s our review of the chocolate tour experience.
If you want a giggle and incredible city views and over to Fife, check out the Camera Obscura.
It has over 100 illusions, a vortex tunnel and a magic maze.
Set aside 1-2 hours for this trippy experience. You can read about our experience of the Camera Obscura here.
If you prefer to be outdoors, you are near Holyrood Park, which is home to Arthur’s Seat.
This urban hike takes 1-2 hours and is breezy at the top, so be prepared to throw on a layer!
Holyrood Park is also where Holyrood Palace, Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth are located.
Toilets can be found in Holyrood Palace’s cafe.
If you are really digging the historical side of the city’s attractions, consider one of these Highlands tours from Edinburgh to explore the past further afield.
If gothic is your thing, read our review of the House of Gods hotel, which is located on Cowgate.
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Disclaimer: This guide was written in partnership with GetYourGuide.