Invisible (Edinburgh): Crimes & Punishment Tours (Grassmarket & Royal Mile)

Edinburghers and visitors alike have long been fascinated by the city’s grim past. Now, a unique walking tour is offering an immersive look into the dark history that lurks beneath the surface. Led by a former homeless guide, the Crimes & Punishment Tours from Invisible (Edinburgh) take small groups through the Grassmarket and Royal Mile, unearthing stories of murders, hangings, and other macabre tales. More than just a typical sightseeing excursion, this thought-provoking experience not only sheds light on Edinburgh’s lesser-known history, but also supports the city’s efforts to create opportunities for those who have experienced homelessness. Those intrigued by the tour’s premise may be surprised to discover just how much these shadows of the past still linger.

Key Points

• Crimes & Punishment Tours in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and Royal Mile areas, led by a formerly homeless guide, offer a unique perspective on the city’s grim history.
• The tours explore the darker side of Edinburgh, known as ‘Auld Reekie’, focusing on stories of murders, hangings, and other grim tales.
• The tours visit overlooked places filled with history, including dark alleyways and haunted closes, providing insights that most visitors never encounter.
• The tours support Invisible Cities’ activities, which provide training and development opportunities for individuals who have experienced homelessness.
• The tours offer a small-group walking experience capped at 15 participants, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience.

Contents

• Key Points
• Tour Details
• Tour Description
• What’s Included
• Meeting and End Points
• Additional Information
• Exploring the Darker Side
• Overlooked Places With History
• Support for Invisible Cities
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
• Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?
• Are There Any Age Restrictions for This Tour?
• Can I Join the Tour if I Have Limited Mobility?
• Does the Tour Guide Offer Any Discounts or Promotions?
• Recap
• Our Top Picks in Edinburgh
• More Tours in Edinburgh
• More Tour Reviews in Edinburgh
• Not for you? Here's more things to do in Edinburgh we have recnetly reviewed

Tour Details

The Crimes & Punishment Tours in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and Royal Mile areas boast a remarkable 65 reviews, offering visitors a small-group walking experience (capped at 15 participants) with a unique perspective from a formerly homeless guide.

Exploring the darker side of Edinburgh, known as ‘Auld Reekie‘, the tour takes guests to overlooked places filled with history, where they’ll hear stories of murders, hangings, and more.

The tour includes a local guide who provides professional insights, and the cost supports Invisible Cities’ activities, which offer training and development opportunities to guides, trainees, and volunteers, as well as organizing community events.

The meeting point is at 92 Grassmarket, and the tour ends at the Scottish Parliament Building.

Tour Description

In this tour, guests explore the darker side of Edinburgh, known as ‘Auld Reekie’, where they’ll hear chilling stories of murders, hangings, and more.

Along the way, they’ll visit overlooked places filled with history, including:

• Dark alleyways where unspeakable acts once occurred
• Grim execution sites where public hangings took place
• Haunted closes (narrow streets) with a sinister past
• Underground vaults used for illicit and nefarious activities
• Forgotten graveyards with the remains of the city’s unsavory characters

Through these unique experiences, the tour provides a thought-provoking perspective on Edinburgh’s grim and gripping history, offering insights that most visitors to the city never encounter.

What’s Included

A local guide and professional guide are included in the tour.

The tour also supports Invisible Cities’ activities, which provide training and development opportunities to guides, trainees, and volunteers, and organize community events.

On this unique walking tour, you’ll explore the darker side of Edinburgh, known as ‘Auld Reekie’, and hear stories of murders, hangings, and more. You’ll also visit overlooked places filled with history that most visitors miss.

This small-group tour is limited to a maximum of 15 people, ensuring a personalized experience. The tour is wheelchair accessible and near public transportation, making it accessible for most travelers.

Meeting and End Points

The tour starts at 92 Grassmarket in Edinburgh, EH1 2JR, and ends at the Scottish Parliament Building, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh EH99 1SP.

This strategic route allows guests to explore the darker corners of the city, uncovering its grim history.

Along the way, they’ll encounter:

• Narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards
• Centuries-old buildings steeped in tales of murder and intrigue
• Haunting memorials to those who met their demise
• Panoramic views of the city’s iconic skyline
• Remnants of the ancient fortifications that once stood tall

This expertly curated tour provides a unique perspective, guiding visitors through Edinburgh’s lesser-known, yet captivating, past.

Additional Information

Confirmation of booking is received immediately upon purchase, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.

Wheelchair and stroller accessibility, as well as the allowance of service animals, cater to the diverse needs of visitors. The tour’s proximity to public transportation and wheelchair-friendly surfaces further enhance accessibility.

With a maximum group size of 15, the intimate small-group format allows for a personalized and immersive experience. Participants can expect a professional and knowledgeable guide to lead them through the darker, often overlooked, corners of Edinburgh.

The tour not only provides an educational and engaging exploration of the city’s history but also supports the activities of Invisible Cities, an organization committed to empowering and training guides from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Exploring the Darker Side

Edinburgh’s ‘Auld Reekie’ hides a darker history, where stories of murders, hangings, and other grim tales linger within its ancient streets.

On this unique walking tour, visitors can explore the city’s shadier side and uncover the overlooked places filled with macabre history. The tour guide, a formerly homeless individual, provides a unique perspective, shedding light on the city’s underbelly.

Participants may encounter:

• Dark alleyways where unspeakable crimes once occurred
• Haunted closes where the spirits of the past still linger
• Gallows sites where public executions once drew crowds
• Forgotten underground vaults that housed the city’s outcasts
• Grim landmarks that serve as reminders of Edinburgh’s turbulent past

Overlooked Places With History

Among the overlooked places visitors may encounter on the tour are forgotten underground vaults that once housed the city’s outcasts, grim landmarks serving as reminders of Edinburgh’s turbulent past, and haunted closes where the spirits of the past still linger.

Venturing into these lesser-known areas, the tour guides share the untold stories of Edinburgh’s history – from the executions that took place at the Mercat Cross to the dark secrets hidden within Mary King’s Close.

These overlooked locations offer a unique perspective on the city’s past, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the people and events that shaped its development over the centuries.

Support for Invisible Cities

The tour supports the activities of Invisible Cities, an organization that provides training and development opportunities to guides, trainees, and volunteers, and organizes community events. A portion of the tour proceeds goes towards:

• Recruiting and training individuals who’ve experienced homelessness to become tour guides, empowering them with skills and confidence.

• Offering workshops and mentorship programs to help guides develop their storytelling abilities and knowledge of local history.

• Organizing events that bring the community together, fostering understanding and connection.

• Providing a platform for marginalized voices to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

• Investing in initiatives that address the root causes of homelessness and promote social inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Yes, guests can bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour description does not mention any restrictions regarding outside food or beverages. Participants are free to bring whatever snacks or drinks they desire during the walking tour.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed during the tour. However, visitors should be mindful of their surroundings and avoid disrupting the experience for other participants. It’s best to check with the tour guide before extensively using cameras or video equipment.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for This Tour?

There are no age restrictions for this tour. The tour is suitable for all ages, though parental discretion is advised as the content may not be suitable for young children. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Can I Join the Tour if I Have Limited Mobility?

Yes, travelers with limited mobility can join the tour. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and transportation is also wheelchair accessible. Most travelers, regardless of mobility level, can participate in the small-group walking tour.

Does the Tour Guide Offer Any Discounts or Promotions?

The tour guide may offer discounts or promotions, such as reduced prices for seniors, students, or groups. Customers should check the tour’s website or contact the provider for details on any available deals or special offers.

Recap

The Invisible (Edinburgh) Crimes & Punishment Tours offer a unique opportunity to explore Edinburgh’s darker history.

Led by formerly homeless guides, the small-group walking tours explore grim tales of murders and hangings, visiting overlooked places filled with history.

Supported by Invisible Cities, the tours provide training and development for individuals who’ve experienced homelessness, while offering visitors an immersive and personalized experience of the city’s lesser-known past.