Scotland · EDINBURGH GHOST TOURS

The 15 Best Edinburgh Ghost Tours & Vault Tours

28 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Some of these go under South Bridge into the vaults, some stay above ground in Greyfriars and the closes. The 15 below say which, how late they run and how much the guides lean on the shocks.

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour - Greyfriars Kirkyard: graves, legends and a loyal dog
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The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

1.The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,272 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $26Our pick

Meet your costumed guide on the Royal Mile for a 75-minute evening walk through Old Town closes, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Edinburgh’s underground vaults. The guide plays a character from Scottish history, with roles including Dr. Robert Knox, Maggie Dickinson and the Great Lafayette. Expect dark local stories, a brisk pace and a relatively short visit underground.

“Our guide, Dr. Knox was so engaging and knowledgeable. He made the tour fun and memorable. Would highly recommend this tour for those visiting Edinburgh!”

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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town - The stone circle and the haunted vault
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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

2.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,506 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Meet your English-speaking guide on the Lawnmarket for an hour-long Old Town walk into the South Bridge vaults. Hear about 18th-century hardship, criminals, and people who sought shelter below ground, then visit a former witchcraft temple and a vault associated with ghost sightings. Guides such as Louisa, Josh, James, and Kieran have been praised for lively storytelling.

“The tour was very interesting and Nick our guide, told the stories well and was so lovely and friendly. A really enjoyable experience. We would highly recommend.”

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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends - Choosing between two historic burial grounds
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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

3.Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,862 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29Top rated

Starting on the Royal Mile at 6:30 pm, this two-hour walk pairs Edinburgh’s shadowy lanes with stories of murder, witch trials, body snatchers and hauntings. You’ll climb Calton Hill for city views, visit one of two historic burial grounds, and finish near the Royal Mile. Guides vary; names associated with the tour include Niamh, James, Brian and G.

“Just myself and my son on the walk, and our guide, Mr Davidson, was fabulous. He took us all over the place which suited us great - brilliant information and entertainment.”

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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh - Is $24.49 good value?
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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

4.Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,761 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Spend about an hour on a vintage Routemaster as an English-speaking guide turns Edinburgh’s executions, witch hunts, and ghost stories into a theatrical night ride. You’ll pass landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars Kirk, and Grassmarket. Guides such as Tommy Terror have brought the tales to life, though the bus can feel crowded.

“Fun, interesting tour of the city at night. Humorous guide, with just the right amount of scary tricks!”

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Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh - How spooky is it, really?
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Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

5.Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,183 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Walk from the Royal Mile into Edinburgh’s underground vaults with an English-speaking guide. In about an hour, hear how the vaults were used, see a torture exhibit, and listen to stories of former inhabitants and reported paranormal activity. Guides have included James, Dom, Louisa, Aimee, and Brendan. Expect steep stairs and some grim history.

“Lots of steep steps. Some graphic historical torture things. We learned about edinbourghs darker side.”

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Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh - What $36.06 buys you
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Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

6.Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,702 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Walk from the Lawnmarket through Greyfriars Graveyard, then enter the vaults beneath South Bridge with an English-speaking guide. Expect Edinburgh history, stories of famous dead residents and reported paranormal activity, with guides including James, Jordan, Diva and Darren. The 90-minute tour costs $36.06 and involves uneven walking and stairs.

“Fun end to Day 1 of first visit to Edinburgh. Diva was a great host and guide and it turns out that graveyard at night is an surprisingly calming place.”

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Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh - Down the narrow stairs to Blair Street
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Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

7.Multi-Sensory Haunted Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,649 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Meet your English-speaking guide at Mercat Cross for a 75-minute walk through Edinburgh’s dark past, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The group is capped at 18, and guides such as Steph, Shannon, and Jude have brought the stories to life with dramatic, interactive storytelling. Expect narrow stairs, grim tales, and atmosphere rather than staged scares.

“It's a fun and slightly scary experience with cool historical background information of Edinburgh, and particularly the South Bridge, told by a very enthousiastic and good storyteller, Steph. We enjoyed this and we're captured by her performance.”

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Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh - Greyfriars Kirkyard after dark
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Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

8.Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,587 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Meet your costumed guide at 9:15 pm for an 80-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the South Bridge vaults. Expect tales of the city’s grim past, ghostly folklore and plenty of theatrical character. Guides have included David Rizzio, Lafayette and Dr Knox. The tour is for ages 18 and up.

“Raticus was the most entertaining and authentic tour guide I’ve ever had. The tour was spooky, informative, and hilarious.”

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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour - Canongate Kirkyard and stories with a human face
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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

9.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Spend about 90 minutes walking Edinburgh’s Old Town and entering an exclusive section of the South Bridge vaults. A guide with Scottish history expertise leads the way, with time for questions and stops including Tron Kirk and Canongate Kirkyard. Guides such as Holly, Chihon and Emilie have brought the city’s stories to life for past groups.

“Lagre group. A lot of information. To many tiny details about persons? Good guide. Nice walk. No problem with kids 10 and 12 years.”

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Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh - Inside the Blair Street Underground Vaults
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Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

10.Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,384 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Meet your guide at Mercat Cross for a 75-minute walk through Old Town lanes, the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and Mercat Tours’ Vaults Museum. Hear about vault businesses, hardship, and Edinburgh’s darker past, then see historic artifacts. Groups are limited to 18; the chambers are dim and the floors uneven.

“Linda was very knowledgeable - kept us all entertained for whole time. Enjoyed it and would recommend”

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City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour - FAQ
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City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

11.City of the Dead: The Double Dead Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 900 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Spend about 1 hour 45 minutes exploring Edinburgh’s South Bridge vaults and the Covenanters’ Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard with a local guide. Expect a mix of history, ghost stories, humor, and occasional jump scares. Groups are limited to five, and the tour starts at St Giles’ Cathedral and ends at Greyfriars.

“Ian was our guide, absolute legend, so funny and so knowledgable, not a moment passes where your not learning or laughing, you must do it, it’s fantastic”

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Edinburgh - Dark History - Timing, weather, and who will enjoy the walk
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Edinburgh – Dark History

12.Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22Best value

Follow Edinburgh’s Royal Mile from West Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk on a roughly two-hour walk about executions, plague, notorious citizens, and graveyard lore. Guides including Robert, Joe, James, Kieran, and Lydia have led the tour. Expect historical storytelling with humor, outdoor stops, and a finish among old graves, not a dedicated ghost hunt.

“Learned so much on this tour. Be prepared for lots of walking and weather changes - but that's a given in Scotland. Would definitely recommend!”

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Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders - Timing, weather and what to bring
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Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders

13.Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 762 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22

This 1-hour-45-minute guided walk starts at 351 High Street and finishes on the Royal Mile near Canongate. Expect stories about the Burke and Hare murders, old city alleys and Edinburgh’s graveyards, with guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin and Joe depending on the departure. It costs $22.19 per person, and the group can have up to 35 people.

“Great walking history tour of Edinburgh. Jen’s enthusiasm was contagious, highly recommended tour! A great way to see Edinburgh at night.”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour - Lady Stairs House and Edinburgh Castle
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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

14.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 632 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a theatrical guide such as Juniper, Hazel or Angelica, hearing about the North Berwick Witches, accused women, a warlock and the city’s grim execution history. The 70 to 75-minute route links St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, Victoria Street and Grassmarket. Expect cobbles, steep streets and lively storytelling.

“Juniper was our guide today and not only was she beyond knowledgeable, but an absolute delight! I'm from Massachusetts and very familiar with the witch history of Salem, and was able to be given more insight on that history through Juniper. The weather was a bit rough today with the storm, but I was so engaged and with Juniper and hanging on her every word, I barely noticed the hurricane like winds. What a truly great and insightful Tour. Thank you again Juniper!”

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Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget's Cellar - A Candlelit Dram in Megget’s Cellar
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Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget’s Cellar

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 608 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43

Meet a storyteller at Mercat Cross for an evening walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults and hear tales of ghosts, witchcraft, torture, and murder. The tour ends by candlelight in Megget’s Cellar with a dram of Scotch whisky, or a locally made beer or soft drink. Groups are capped at 18.

“Lots of fun! Very spooky with great ghost stories. The vaults are exceptionally creepy. Enjoyed the drink at the end! Your guide Steph made it loads of fun.”

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