Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget’s Cellar

Below Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Blair Street Underground Vaults offer a setting that does much of the ghost tour’s work for it: low, dim chambers beneath the city streets, where stories of criminals, workmen, and restless spirits take on a more immediate feel. The evening starts above ground at Mercat Cross, then moves into the vaults before ending over a drink in Megget’s Cellar.

I like two things about this tour: its mix of Edinburgh history and ghost stories, and its small group limit of 18, which should make it easier to hear the guide and stay with the story. The Scotch dram is a welcome finish, with beer and a soft drink available too. One thing to consider: the vault floors are uneven, and the atmosphere can feel genuinely frightening to children or anyone who dislikes dark underground spaces.

• Start at Mercat Cross: Hear about the Edinburgh mob and the crowds that once gathered at this Old Town landmark.
• Walk the closes and wynds: Follow a storyteller through the dim streets as tales of witchcraft, torture, and murder set the mood.
• Enter Blair Street’s vaults: Explore the underground chambers and hear about spirits including Jack, Mr. Boots, and The Watcher.
• Finish in Megget’s Cellar: Settle by candlelight for a Scotch whisky, locally made beer, or soft drink and more stories.
• Keep the practicalities in mind: The tour lasts about two hours, runs in English, and is for ages five and up.

From Mercat Cross Into Edinburgh’s Dark Past

The meeting point is Mercat Cross on High Street, in the heart of the Old Town. The tour uses this central landmark to introduce the city’s darker history, including the riots of the Edinburgh mob. One scene asks you to picture a crowd of thousands crying out for the blood of two men, a stark way to bring the city’s public punishments and unrest into focus.

This opening is more than a spooky warm-up. It gives you a sense of how the stories connect to Edinburgh’s streets and public spaces, rather than treating every haunting as an isolated tale. The guide is a cloaked storyteller, and the performance is part of the experience: expect dramatic delivery and, at times, audience participation.

The tour then winds through the Old Town’s closes and wynds. These narrow lanes are part of the appeal. They make a fitting route for stories about a city’s murky past, and the walk between stops keeps the evening moving instead of leaving you in one place for two hours.

The Closes and Wynds Set the Scene

Above ground, your guide tells stories of witchcraft, torture, murder, and restless spirits. The emphasis is on both the city’s dark history and its ghost lore, so this is a good fit if you want a little historical context along with the chills. The stories are presented with theatrical flair, but the tour is not described as relying on gimmicks.

You may hear guides such as Mary, Michael, Steph, Linda, Jack, Sarah, Jade, Veni, or Naeve, depending on the tour. The names vary, but the storyteller-led format is central: the guide’s voice and timing do much of the work. Some guides encourage participation, while others draw you in through performance and detailed tales. If you enjoy history delivered with personality, that approach should suit you.

An audio device has been reported as useful on busy streets, though it may cut in and out if you fall behind the group. Stay close to the storyteller when walking between stops, especially on a crowded evening. The tour is capped at 18 people, which helps keep the group more manageable than a large walking tour, but it is still worth paying attention to the guide’s position as the party moves through narrow lanes.

Inside the Blair Street Underground Vaults

The main event is the descent into the Blair Street Underground Vaults. These chambers lie below the city streets, and their dim, enclosed atmosphere gives the ghost stories a stronger sense of place. The guide recounts tales connected with the vaults, including spirits known as Jack, Mr. Boots, and The Watcher. You may also hear about the distant clatter of workmen and whispers of criminals as the storyteller evokes the spaces’ past.

The vaults are described as exceptionally atmospheric, and the underground section is a major reason to choose this tour over a ghost walk that stays outside. The rooms themselves are also a striking change of scene from the streets above. If you are interested in seeing beneath the Old Town, this tour makes that part of the evening accessible as part of a guided experience.

Still, set your expectations sensibly. A ghost tour is storytelling, not a promise of paranormal activity. Some people feel a chill or become alert to every sound; others simply enjoy the stories and the old chambers. You do not need to believe in ghosts to have fun. The guide’s performance, the historical tales, and the setting all carry the experience.

There are a couple of practical details worth knowing before you go. The floor in the vaults is uneven, so comfortable shoes matter, and anyone with an injury or mobility concern should take that into account. The underground spaces can also feel frightening, particularly for younger children. The minimum age is five, but that does not mean every child will find the atmosphere comfortable.

The vaults are below a nightclub, and rock music from above may sometimes reach the rooms. That can interrupt the old-world mood, though it does not change the unusual setting or the stories. If you are expecting complete silence, you may find the occasional music distracting. If you can accept the vaults as a real, working part of the city rather than a sealed historical set, it is easier to enjoy the experience on its own terms.

A Candlelit Dram in Megget’s Cellar

The tour ends in Megget’s Cellar, at 28 Blair Street, partway down the stairs to the vaults and beneath the main booking office. This is a natural pause after the walk and the underground stories. The storyteller continues with more tales of Edinburgh’s ghoulish past while the group gathers in the candlelit room.

Your included drink is a dram of Scotch whisky. If whisky is not for you, you can choose a locally made beer or a soft drink instead. That choice makes the finish feel welcoming to a wider range of people, and the cellar gives you time to relax before heading back out into the city.

The drink is a modest but meaningful part of the value. You are not just paying for a walk and access to the vaults; the tour ends with a seated moment in a distinctive underground room, another round of stories, and a drink of your choice. The final stop also gives the evening a clear ending rather than simply leaving you outside after the last tale.

Is $43.44 Good Value?

At $43.44 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hear a ghost story in Edinburgh. The price makes more sense when you consider the full two-hour experience: a guided evening walk, stories at Mercat Cross and through the Old Town, entry into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and a drink in Megget’s Cellar. If you want both the city streets and the underground rooms, the package is a practical way to combine them.

The group limit of 18 is another useful part of the offer. It gives the tour a more personal scale than a large crowd, especially when the guide is telling stories in the vaults. The best value comes if you are interested in the vaults and the storytelling, not just in collecting a drink or a quick photo underground.

The tour is booked, on average, 33 days in advance, so it is sensible to plan ahead if this is high on your Edinburgh list. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who Will Enjoy This Evening Most?

I would put this tour high on the list for anyone who likes history with a theatrical edge. It works well as an evening activity, particularly early in a stay, because it introduces you to Old Town streets while giving you a taste of Edinburgh’s grimmer stories. The balance of walking, underground exploration, and a drink at the end keeps the evening varied.

It is also a good choice for people who are curious about the vaults but would rather explore with a guide than enter them on their own. The storyteller provides context and a clear route, while the small group cap helps the experience feel less like a procession. If you are a non-believer, you can still enjoy the historical material and the atmosphere without needing to accept every ghost story as fact.

Families can take children aged five and older, but use your judgment. The stories and underground setting can be scary, and at least one child has found the performance too frightening. If your child is sensitive to spooky tales or darkness, a lighter Old Town walk may be a better choice.

The tour is guaranteed to run year-round, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate, though uneven surfaces in the vaults are worth considering if you have an injury or difficulty walking.

Should You Book the Blair Street Ghost Tour?

Book it if you want a compact evening that combines Old Town history, ghost stories, and access to Edinburgh’s underground vaults. The guide’s storytelling is the heart of the experience, while the candlelit drink in Megget’s Cellar gives it a satisfying finish. I especially like the mix of street-level context and subterranean atmosphere.

Skip it if you dislike dark spaces, want a quiet historical tour without theatrical scares, or would be bothered by the chance of nightclub music reaching the vaults. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for a spooky, story-led introduction to Edinburgh after dark.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Mercat Cross on High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RF.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Megget’s Cellar, 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QR, partway down the stairs to the Blair Street Underground Vaults.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a guided Old Town walk, entry to the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and one drink in Megget’s Cellar.

What drinks are available at the end?

You can have a dram of Scotch whisky, locally made beer, or a soft drink.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children aged five and older can join. The underground setting and spooky stories may frighten some children.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 18 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What should I wear?

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. The vault floors are uneven.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the tour’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.