Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Beneath the charming streets of Edinburgh lies a darker side of the city’s history. The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour invites brave visitors to explore the eerie underground network of 18th-century vaults, which once housed the city’s impoverished and unsavory inhabitants. Though the tour provides essential historical context, the content may be distressing, and the narrow, uneven terrain poses accessibility challenges. But for those intrigued by Edinburgh’s ghastly past, this captivating experience offers a glimpse into the haunting, off-limits spaces that have long captured the imagination of both locals and travelers alike.

Just The Basics

1. The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh explores the city’s network of eerie underground vaults dating back to the 18th century, offering a glimpse into its haunting past.
2. The tour starts at the Tourist Information Police Box outside 300 Lawnmarket, lasts approximately one hour, and ends at 45 Niddry Street.
3. The tour is not suitable for those with mobility issues or young children, and a moderate level of physical fitness is required due to stairs and uneven terrain.
4. Consumption of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited, and live streaming and filming are forbidden during the tour to maintain the integrity of the experience.
5. Cancellations are allowed up to 24 hours before the tour, and a full refund is offered, but the tour may be canceled due to poor weather conditions or a lack of minimum number of travelers.

Edinburgh’s Historic Underground Vaults

Edinburgh’s network of underground vaults, dating back to the 18th century, was once home to a dark and tumultuous past, serving as both slum dwellings and hiding places for criminal activities.

These dimly lit, damp chambers beneath the city streets were originally constructed to house storage areas and small businesses. However, as Edinburgh’s population grew, the vaults became increasingly overcrowded, housing the city’s poorest residents in squalid conditions.

Over time, the vaults gained a notorious reputation, associated with poverty, violence, and the occult.

Today, these historic spaces offer visitors a glimpse into Edinburgh’s haunting past, with guided tours providing necessary context and background information.

Tour Meeting Point and Duration

The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh starts at the Tourist Information Police Box outside of 300 Lawnmarket, with the tour lasting approximately one hour as visitors explore the city’s underground network of vaults. The tour takes guests through the dark and mysterious passages, providing necessary context and background information along the way.

Tour Details
Duration	Guided tour of approximately 1 hour
Meeting Point	Tourist Information Police Box outside of 300 Lawnmarket
End Point	45 Niddry Street
Included	Admission ticket, meeting and pickup
Not Included	Luggage storage

What’s Included in the Tour

The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour includes an admission ticket and meeting at the designated pickup point. Participants won’t receive luggage storage as part of the experience.

The tour starts at the Tourist Information Police Box outside 300 Lawnmarket and ends at 45 Niddry Street.

No alcohol, drugs, filming, or live streaming are allowed during the tour.

While service animals are permitted, the vaults aren’t wheelchair accessible, and a moderate level of physical fitness is required due to the stairs.

The tour isn’t recommended for children under 12, and those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Guests should be aware that some of the content may be distressing.

Accessibility and Fitness Requirements

Accessibility and Fitness Requirements

The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, as guests must navigate stairs to enter and exit the vaults.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required due to the stairs and uneven underground terrain.

Service animals are permitted, but children under 12 aren’t recommended for the tour, and those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The tour’s underground setting means it’s not suitable for those with mobility issues or young children.

Visitors should be prepared for a moderately strenuous experience that involves climbing up and down steps and traversing an historic, dimly lit environment.

Those with health concerns or limited mobility may want to consider a different Edinburgh activity.

Age Restrictions and Photography Policy

Children under 12 aren’t recommended for the Haunted Vaults Walking Tour, and those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Live streaming and filming are forbidden during the tour, ensuring visitors can fully enjoy the experience without distraction. The tour operator takes a firm stance on these policies to maintain the integrity of the underground vaults experience.

Guests are asked to respect the rules and avoid activities that could detract from the somber atmosphere and the guide’s storytelling. These guidelines help create an engaging and memorable tour, allowing visitors to appreciate the vaults’ dark history without unwanted interruptions or distractions.

Distressing Content and Alcohol Prohibition

Visitors should be aware that some content presented during the Haunted Vaults Walking Tour may be distressing, as the vaults’ dark histories include tales of violence, death, and the macabre.

Plus, the consumption of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited throughout the tour, ensuring guests remain focused and respectful during the experience.

The tour explores:

• Grim accounts of homelessness, poverty, and underground criminal activity
• Disturbing stories of torture, murder, and unexplained supernatural occurrences
• Haunting remnants and artifacts that evoke the vaults’ tragic past
• Emotional reactions and psychological responses to the tour’s unsettling revelations
• The importance of maintaining sobriety and composure to fully appreciate the vaults’ history

Tour Office Hours and Luggage Storage

The tour company’s office hours are from 10am to 5pm, though no luggage storage facilities are provided for participants during the Haunted Vaults Walking Tour.

This means visitors will need to plan accordingly and either leave their belongings at their accommodation or carry them during the tour.

The tour isn’t recommended for young children under 12, and those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

With the vaults’ narrow entrances and exits via stairs, guests should have a moderate level of physical fitness to navigate the underground network comfortably.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations are allowed up to 24 hours before the tour’s start time, entitling guests to a full refund. However, any changes made less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure aren’t accepted.

Plus, if the tour is canceled due to poor weather conditions, participants may be offered an alternative date or a complete refund.

A minimum number of travelers is required for the tour to proceed; if this threshold isn’t met, the experience may be canceled, and a refund will be offered.

No alcohol or drugs are permitted during the tour.

Filming and live streaming are strictly forbidden.

The tour isn’t recommended for children under 12, and those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Luggage storage isn’t provided, so participants are advised to travel light.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the History Behind the Underground Vaults?

The underground vaults in Edinburgh date back to the 18th century. Originally constructed as storage spaces and dwellings, the vaults housed impoverished residents in squalid conditions.

Over time, the vaults developed a dark reputation, with reports of criminal activity and paranormal occurrences.

Today, the vaults offer a glimpse into Edinburgh’s grim past, with guided tours providing necessary context and background information to visitors interested in exploring this historic, yet eerie, part of the city.

Are There Any Notable Ghost Sightings or Paranormal Activities?

The underground vaults in Edinburgh have a long history of reported paranormal activity.

Visitors have commonly claimed to see ghostly figures, hear unexplained noises, and feel an unsettling presence.

Some of the most notable sightings include a woman in 18th-century dress, a dark shadowy figure, and the sound of children’s laughter.

Though the specifics of these encounters vary, the vaults are widely considered one of Scotland’s most haunted locations.

Are There Any Food or Drink Options Available During the Tour?

Unfortunately, the Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh doesn’t offer any food or drink options during the tour. The focus of the experience is on exploring the dark history and potential paranormal activity within the underground vaults.

Visitors should plan to eat before or after the tour, as no refreshments are provided. The tour itself is approximately 1 hour long, so bringing a water bottle is recommended to stay hydrated during the walking portion.

Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?

Unfortunately, pets aren’t allowed on the tour.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, with access to the vaults via stairs, and the environment may be distressing for some participants.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests, service animals are the only pets permitted.

Visitors should plan accordingly and leave their furry friends at home for this particular experience.

How Often Do the Tours Run Throughout the Day?

The tours operate on a set schedule throughout the day, typically running at regular intervals. The specific schedule may vary, but most providers offer multiple tours per day to accommodate visitor demand.

Guests should check the tour operator’s website or contact them directly to inquire about the current daily schedule and availability for the experience they’re interested in. Tour times are generally structured to provide flexibility for visitors’ itineraries.

Sum Up

The Haunted Vaults Walking Tour provides a captivating glimpse into Edinburgh’s dark past, offering access to the city’s eerie 18th-century underground vaults.

While the content may be distressing, the tour delivers essential historical context and a unique opportunity to explore these off-limits spaces.

However, it’s important to be aware of the accessibility challenges and age restrictions before booking this immersive experience.