Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour

Discover Edinburgh’s darkest secrets on a small-group ghost tour. You’ll explore the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults and the historic Canongate Kirkyard, where award-winning storytellers bring the capital’s turbulent past to life. Uncover captivating tales of torture, murder, and supernatural occurrences that linger in the air. Descend into the dimly lit subterranean chambers and visit the final resting place of renowned Scottish figures. This immersive experience offers a deeper appreciation for the city’s rich and unsettling heritage. There’s much more to explore in Edinburgh’s haunted past.

Key Points

• Explore the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults and uncover the haunted history of Edinburgh’s past.
• Visit the Canongate Kirkyard, the final resting place of renowned Scottish figures, and hear captivating tales of its haunted history.
• Set out on a small-group experience with award-winning local storytellers who provide in-depth commentary on the city’s dark heritage.
• Use TourTalk radio receivers for an immersive storytelling experience as you venture through the haunted sites.
• The tour lasts approximately one hour, catering to a maximum of 18 participants for a personalized ghost tour.

Tour Overview

The ghost tour offers a small-group experience, exploring two of Edinburgh’s haunted locations – the Blair Street Underground Vaults and Canongate Kirkyard.

Lasting approximately one hour, the tour provides an in-depth look into the city’s dark history through tales of torture, cannibalism, and witchery, as told by award-winning local storytellers.

Visitors will have exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults and explore the final resting place of famous Scottish personalities at Canongate Kirkyard.

The use of TourTalk radio receivers ensures an immersive storytelling experience for the maximum of 18 travelers per tour.

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the tours are guaranteed year-round, allowing visitors to dress appropriately.

Inclusions

This ghost tour includes a visit to the Canongate Graveyard and exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Travelers will also enjoy commentary by award-winning local storytellers and a small-group experience capped at 18 people.

Further enhancing the immersive nature of the tour, visitors receive TourTalk radio receivers to aid the storytelling.

Exploring these haunted locations, guests will learn about Edinburgh’s dark history, including tales of torture, cannibalism, and witchery.

The tour provides a unique opportunity to explore the city’s grim past, led by knowledgeable guides who bring the stories to life.

With these inclusions, the ghost tour promises an engaging and spooky experience for all who attend.

Meeting and Pickup

Travelers meet at the Mercat Cross, located on High Street opposite the City Chambers, to begin the ghost tour.

From there, the group proceeds to explore the haunted sites, ending the experience at Canongate Kirk on Canongate.

The tour starts from the iconic Mercat Cross, a historic landmark in the heart of Edinburgh.

After the introduction, the group follows the storytellers as they guide participants through the eerie underground vaults and the hallowed grounds of Canongate Kirkyard.

The tour concludes at the Canongate Kirk, where the group disbands, allowing individuals to continue exploring the haunted city on their own.

Highlights

Descending to the subterranean vaults beneath Blair Street, visitors uncover the city’s haunted past filled with tales of torture, cannibalism, and witchery.

Exploring the final resting place of famous Scottish personalities at Canongate Kirkyard, they hear gruesome stories that bring Edinburgh’s dark history to life.

The small-group ghost tour takes travelers on an immersive journey, with award-winning local storytellers using TourTalk radio receivers to enhance the experience.

As they explore the city’s spooky underbelly, guests are captivated by the chilling accounts of Edinburgh’s haunted sites.

This unique tour offers a thrilling glimpse into the capital’s sinister past, leaving visitors with a deeper appreciation for the city’s rich and often unsettling heritage.

Exploring the Blair Street Underground Vaults

Beneath the bustling streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Blair Street Underground Vaults stand as a testament to the city’s tumultuous past.

These dimly lit subterranean chambers, once home to merchants, taverns, and even illicit activities, now serve as a haunting reminder of the city’s darker histories. As the tour descends into the vaults, visitors are transported back in time, where the echoes of past misdeeds and human suffering can be felt in the chilly air.

The vaults are known for their:

• Eerie atmosphere, with flickering lights and mysterious shadows
• Haunting tales of torture, murder, and supernatural occurrences
• Fascinating history, as they were once used for various nefarious purposes

Visiting Canongate Kirkyard

After exploring the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults, the tour then leads visitors to the serene Canongate Kirkyard, the final resting place of many renowned Scottish figures. At this historic graveyard, the guides share captivating tales of the site’s haunted history and the notable individuals interred there.

Graves of Interest	Significance
David Rizzio	Private secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, brutally murdered in 1566
Adam Smith	Pioneering economist and author of "The Wealth of Nations"
Robert Fergusson	Acclaimed 18th-century Scottish poet who inspired Robert Burns
John Knox	Influential leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland

The tour concludes at the peaceful Canongate Kirk, leaving guests with a deeper understanding of Edinburgh’s haunted past.

Haunted Tales of Edinburgh’s Past

As the tour moves from the peaceful Canongate Kirkyard, the guides plunge into the haunted tales that have shaped Edinburgh’s dark past. They recount gruesome stories of torture, cannibalism, and witchery that have long haunted the city’s residents and visitors alike.

Guests learn about the grisly fate of the city’s former residents, including:

• The story of Sawney Bean, a legendary cannibal who allegedly lived in the Blair Street Vaults with his family and preyed on unsuspecting travelers.

• The tales of torture and execution that took place in the city’s underground chambers, where alleged witches were imprisoned and tortured.

Accounts of ghostly sightings and paranormal activity reported throughout the vaults and graveyards, leaving many to wonder if the city’s past still lingers in the present.

Additional Information

The tour operates year-round, so visitors should dress appropriately for the weather.

Guests may not be able to access the vaults if they use a wheelchair, but service animals are allowed.

Travelers can cancel their reservation up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 18 participants, ensuring a small-group experience.

Guests will receive a TourTalk radio receiver, which allows them to enjoy the captivating stories shared by the award-winning local storytellers.

Whether you’re a history buff or seeking a chilling adventure, this ghost tour offers a unique glimpse into Edinburgh’s haunted past.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

Guests are generally allowed to take photos during the tour, but they may be asked to refrain in certain areas out of respect for the experience. It’s best to check with the tour guide regarding photography policies.

Is There Any Age Limit for the Tour?

There is no age limit for the tour, but it may not be suitable for young children. The tour is recommended for those aged 12 and above who are comfortable with the content and walking required.

Is the Tour Suitable for People With Disabilities?

The tour may not be suitable for people with disabilities, as the description states it is "not wheelchair accessible". However, the tour allows service animals, which could accommodate some visitors with disabilities.

What Should I Bring With Me for the Tour?

For this tour, visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and any necessary mobility aids. While the tour is not wheelchair accessible, it’s recommended to check with the tour operator for specific accessibility accommodations.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Unfortunately, the tour duration cannot be extended. The ghost tour is approximately 1 hour long and this set duration is indicated in the tour overview. There’s no option to lengthen the experience beyond the advertised time.

Recap

Uncover the dark secrets of Edinburgh’s haunted past on this small-group ghost tour.

Descend into the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults and visit the historic Canongate Kirkyard, as expert storytellers reveal the city’s chilling tales of torture, cannibalism, and witchcraft.

This immersive experience offers a personal and unforgettable journey into Edinburgh’s haunted underbelly.