We’ve had Edinburgh on our travel bucket list for years now! We were supposed to go back in June 2020, but obviously that trip was canceled. So, when we knew we were going for sure this past September, I knew it was time to book a ghost tour as Edinburgh is said to be super haunted. Which is a win in my book.
I’d heard about the Blair Street Vaults when researching Edinburgh’s haunted history and knew we had to visit them as we only had two nights in the city (I know, I know we need to go back ASAP).
I found a tour with Mercat Tours that visited both the vaults and a cemetery, so of course I had to book the Edinburgh Doomed, Dead, and Buried ghost tour!
Our Edinburgh ghost tour review
This was a great tour that blended ghost stories with dark history. We got both the visits to actively haunted sites as well as some background on Edinburgh and it’s bloody past and history.
This was a good option for those who like true crime, history, and stories of ghosts trying to make contact today. There’s something for everyone on this tour!
We were even more excited for this ghost tour as we were in Edinburgh on a guided group tour and our tour director had said he’s never been back in the vaults after a creepy experience down there! Sign me up!
Highlights of our adults-only ghost tour:
- The grave in a parking lot that’s used today
- The story of half-hanged Maggie
- The story of William Barton and his deal with the devil
- The Blair Street Underground Vaults and the ghosts that reside there, including Jack, the cobbler, and Mr. Boots (AKA The Watcher)
- A visit to Canongate graveyard
- The story of Burke and Hare, the Edinburgh body snatchers and murderers
Tour guide
Scott was our tour guide and he was fantastic. I love guides that seem genuinely interested in ghost stories and history and Scott fit the bill. He was a fabulous storyteller and added the right inflections and pauses in his stories to keep my attention.
I do think Scott is one of the best, for sure top five, tour guides I’ve ever had. He really knew his stories and history and paced his re-tellings quite well. I also just got the impression that he enjoys what he does and sharing the darker side of Edinburgh, which always makes tours like these more fun.
Group size & pace
The tour has a max of 18 people, and I think there were about 14 of us the night we went. It was a good-sized group, but it never felt claustrophobic, even when we were in the vaults.
The pace of the tour is really good. We started on the Royal Mile and heard some spooky stories before heading down into the vaults, where Scott would pause in different rooms to tell different tales. Then we had our walk to the cemetery where we would stop at various points to hear about those in the cemetery or who have ties to cemeteries.
It is a walking tour but not strenuous. Though, there are steps down into and back out of the vaults.
Booking information
- Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Distance: Less than a mile, walking tour
- Days offered: Daily
- Times: Our tour started at 6:30 p.m.
- Price: £25
- Meeting point: Mercat Cross, Royal Mile
- Tickets: Buy tickets online
Tips for the Edinburgh ghost tour
- Wear comfortable shoes: This is a walking tour and you are walking on a variety of terrain, like cobblestones, stones in the vault, and then dirt paths in the cemetery.
- Dress accordingly: This is an evening tour, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket for the weather as well as the cooler temps below ground.
- Bring headphones if you’re particular about that: This tour does include a headset so you don’t have to crowd around the guide to hear him and headphones are obviously provided but you’re welcome to bring your own.
- Have an open mind: It is a ghost tour after all! Go into it with an open mind and maybe you’ll see one of the vault’s permanent residents!
- Tip your guide: As always, if you enjoyed your tour be sure to tip your guide!
What other ghost tours have you done in Edinburgh? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
