Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

Uncover the shadowy past of Edinburgh on the captivating Darkside Walking Tour. Led by expert guides, visitors will explore the city’s eerie Old Town and confront tales of murder, monsters, and unexplained phenomena. From the haunting history of Calton Hill to the secrets hidden within historic cemeteries, this immersive experience promises to leave a lasting impression. Dare to venture into Edinburgh’s darkest corners and discover the grisly truths that lurk beneath the surface of this seemingly charming capital.

Just The Basics

• This walking tour provides an immersive exploration of Edinburgh’s dark history, sharing chilling tales of murder, monsters, and local oddities.
• The tour takes visitors through the eerie, cobblestone streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, revealing the capital’s grisly past behind its charming facades.
• Calton Hill, the site of Edinburgh’s grisly witch trials and pagan rituals, offers panoramic views of the city, but its scenic beauty belies a dark history.
• The tour ventures into the eerie confines of Edinburgh’s historic cemeteries, regaling visitors with tales of body-snatching, vampires, and other macabre occurrences.
• The tour guide captivates visitors with gruesome tales of Edinburgh’s dark past, recounting the city’s long history of notorious murders and unspeakable crimes.

Overview of the Tour

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour provides visitors with an immersive exploration of the city’s grisliest tales and dark history, offering a glimpse into the eerie, cobblestone streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

With 3,408 reviews, this walking tour guides participants through the capital’s gruesome past, sharing stories of murder, monsters, and other local oddities.

Highlights include climbing Calton Hill, the site of witch trials and pagan rituals, and visiting historic cemeteries like Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard, where guests learn about body-snatching and vampires.

Led by a professional guide, the tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and departs from the Royal Mile at 6:30 pm, ending back at the starting point.

Exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town

As the tour departs from the Royal Mile, it leads participants through the eerie, cobblestone streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, revealing the capital’s dark and gruesome history lurking behind the charming facades.

Wandering through the narrow alleyways and shadowy corners, the guide regales travelers with chilling tales of murder, monsters, and other local oddities that have transpired in this historic district over the centuries.

From exploring Old Calton Burial Ground to learning about the grisly practice of body-snatching, the tour offers a glimpse into Edinburgh’s macabre past, captivating participants with its eerie ambiance and spine-tingling narratives.

As the group ascends Calton Hill, they discover the site’s haunting history of witch trials and pagan rituals, providing a panoramic view of the city’s brooding skyline.

Calton Hill’s Haunting History

Atop Calton Hill, the tour often visits the site of Edinburgh’s grisly past, where historically, witch trials and pagan rituals once transpired. This prominent landmark offers panoramic views of the city, but its scenic beauty belies a dark history.

Visitors learn about the hill’s disturbing legacy, such as the execution of so-called witches during the 16th and 17th centuries. The guide recounts tales of the rituals and ceremonies that once took place on this ominous site.

Travelers are captivated as they imagine the horrors that unfolded here, from the persecution of alleged witches to the macabre pagan practices that flourished in the shadows. Calton Hill’s haunting past adds an eerie element to the walking tour’s exploration of Edinburgh’s sinister side.

Unearthing Cemetery Secrets

Descending from Calton Hill, the tour ventures into the eerie confines of Edinburgh’s historic cemeteries, where centuries-old secrets lie buried beneath the weathered gravestones.

The guide regales visitors with tales of body-snatching, vampires, and other macabre occurrences that have haunted these sacred grounds.

Guests explore the Old Calton Burial Ground and Canongate Kirkyard, learning about:

• The notorious resurrection men who robbed graves to sell cadavers to medical schools
• Legends of bloodthirsty vampires said to roam the cemeteries at night
• Chilling accounts of unexplained phenomena, from ghostly apparitions to unexplained noises

The grim realities of disease, poverty, and executions that shaped Edinburgh’s history.

The captivating stories etched into the crumbling tombstones of the city’s dearly departed.

Gruesome Tales of Murder

The tour guide captivates visitors with gruesome tales of Edinburgh’s dark past, recounting the city’s long history of notorious murders and unspeakable crimes.

Guests shudder as they learn about the sadistic serial killer Burke and Hare, who sold the bodies of their victims to medical schools in the 19th century.

The guide also delves into the macabre story of Deacon Brodie, a respected city councilor by day and a burglar and murderer by night.

These chilling accounts of Edinburgh’s grisly past leave a lasting impression, transporting the audience to a time when the city’s cobblestone streets were stalked by killers and shrouded in darkness.

Delving Into Local Oddities

Along With the grislier tales of murder, the guide also delves into the city’s local oddities and strange occurrences that have captivated visitors for centuries. Guests on the Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour learn about the city’s dark history, including:

• Rumored sightings of vampires and werewolves roaming the cobblestone streets

• Disturbing accounts of so-called ‘body snatchers’ who raided graveyards to sell corpses to medical schools

• Legends of cannibal killers who preyed on unsuspecting townspeople

• Chilling stories of supernatural entities haunting the city’s ancient cemeteries

• Peculiar folklore surrounding pagan rituals and witch trials that took place on Calton Hill.

These local oddities add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to the tour, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for Edinburgh’s rich, if unsettling, cultural heritage.

Meeting Point and Details

The walking tour meets at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaws Close, with the tour starting promptly at 6:30 pm.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point, after exploring Edinburgh’s grisliest tales and dark history.

Visitors will have the chance to climb Calton Hill, the site of witch trials and pagan rituals, and take in panoramic views of the city.

They’ll also visit eerie cemeteries like Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard to learn about body-snatching, vampires, and other local oddities.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is conveniently located near public transportation.

With a maximum of 20 travelers, cancellations are eligible for a full refund if made at least 24 hours in advance.

Cancellation Policy and Accessibility

Cancellations are eligible for a full refund if made at least 24 hours in advance, and the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, though it’s conveniently located near public transportation.

This Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour explores the city’s grisliest tales and dark history, offering a unique insight into the capital’s gruesome past.

Some key details to note:

• Maximum group size is limited to 20 travelers
• Tour starts at 6:30 pm and ends back at the meeting point
• Professional guide provides commentary on murder, monsters, and other local oddities

Highlights include visiting haunting cemeteries and climbing Calton Hill for panoramic views.

Guests can expect to enjoy Edinburgh’s eerie, cobblestone streets and uncover the city’s macabre secrets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Tour?

The maximum group size for this tour is 20 travelers.

The tour has a small group size policy, which allows for a more intimate and personalized experience. This ensures that participants can easily interact with the guide and hear the stories and details of the tour.

The small group size also allows the guide to provide more attention and answer questions from each traveler during the walking tour.

Is There a Dress Code for the Tour?

There’s no specific dress code for the tour. Participants can wear whatever they feel comfortable in, as the tour takes place outdoors and involves walking.

However, it’s recommended to dress warmly and wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, as the tour may encounter cooler temperatures and uneven terrain.

The guide will provide all the necessary information and historical context during the tour, so there’s no need for special attire.

Can I Bring a Pet on the Tour?

No, pets aren’t allowed on this tour. The tour operator has a strict policy prohibiting pets to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants.

Bringing a pet would also be disruptive to the group and could interfere with the guide’s ability to provide an engaging and informative experience.

Guests are advised to make alternative arrangements for their pets while they attend this walking tour in Edinburgh.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t appear to have any specific age restrictions. It’s suitable for travellers of all ages, though the content may not be appropriate for young children as it covers dark and grisly historical topics.

The tour is walking-intensive, so participants should be able to comfortably walk for the duration. As long as the traveler is able to engage with the tour’s content, there are no age limits for joining the Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour.

Can I Take Photographs During the Tour?

Visitors are generally allowed to take photographs during the tour, though they may be asked to refrain in certain areas or during certain storytelling moments.

The guide will likely provide guidance on appropriate times and places to take pictures. It’s important to be respectful of the historical sites and the narrative being shared.

As long as photography doesn’t disrupt the tour experience, guests are usually free to capture memories of their darkside exploration.

Final Words

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour offers visitors a chilling exploration of the capital’s grim past.

As guides lead participants through the eerie streets, they uncover tales of murder, body-snatching, and unexplained phenomena that have plagued the city’s historic districts.

From Calton Hill’s haunting witch trials to the secrets hidden in the cemeteries, this tour captivates audiences with the darkest corners of Edinburgh’s history.