Boasting a dark, harrowing history, the
Scottish capital is undoubtedly one of the most haunted places in
the world. Tales of body snatching, rampant cannibals and
witchcraft accusations are just skimming the surface, as it's also
home to lots of spooky spirits. Both fascinating and terrifying,
here are the 8 best ghost tours in
Edinburgh so you can learn all about the city's
creepy past (and maybe even meet a poltergeist or
two).
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The Best Edinburgh Ghost Tours
The Cadies & Witchery Tours
The Cadies & Witchery Tours offers an un-boo-lievable experience from Wednesday to Sunday at 7pm: The Ghosts & Gore Tour. You'll be escorted around the Old Town as a bunch of very knowledgeable (and funny) ghouls regale you with gruesome stories about the Scottish capital.
If you'd like to carry on in a similar vein, quirky pub Frankenstein can be found just a short walk away, where freaky animatronics, bubbling vats of liquid and tasty pizzas await you.
When: Wednesday - Sunday at 7pm
Price: £15 per adult, £10 per child (make sure to book ahead)
Meeting Point: In front of The Witchery By The Castle Restaurant, Castlehill, EH1 2NF
This company also has a cool shop selling all kinds of unique knick-knacks that you can take home.
Edinburgh Dark Side Tour
From New Europe Tours comes this Edinburgh Dark Side Tour, where the city’s history of grave robbing, serial killers and witch burning will come to light. A terrifying two-hour trail, this will take you through one of two scary cemeteries, Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard.
You’ll also discover the mystery of the 17 doll coffins found at a secret sepulchre by Arthur’s Seat: are they a satanic spell or simply a superstitious effigy? Time to find out. Then, rest your feet and guzzle molecular cocktails at snazzy bar The Alchemist.
When: Every day at 6.30pm
Price: £20 per adult, £15 per child
Meeting Point: 130 High Street, E15 2QS
Edinburgh Dark Side Tour is set to be a blood-curdling bonanza.
Free Ghost Tours
This free ghost tour in Edinburgh transports you back to the terrifying times when body snatching, public executions and tortuous happenings ran rife.
Free Ghost Tours (part of City Explorers) takes you through the town to learn about the Westport Murderers and witch trials, as well as the real Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, before ending in the atmospheric and chilling Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Warm up after at BrewDog, a trendy bar that slings out hearty grub and craft beers aplenty.
When: Every night at 7pm
Price: FREE
Meeting Point: 154 High Street, EH1 1QS
This is certainly one of the best Edinburgh ghost tours of Greyfriars graveyard.
The Ghost Bus Tours
Mixing light-hearted comedy with a big dollop of horror, The Ghost Bus Tours pootles you across the city to spot its top attractions.
You'll be privy to beaut views of Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard and much more, with a creepy conductor as your guide - who may even point out a couple of sinister spirits.
At the end, you'll be dropped off near The Deacon Brodies Tavern, where you can tuck into a selection of British classics, washed down with tasty pints.
When: Every day at 4pm, 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm
Price: £19 per adult, £14 per child (£51 for family tickets)
Meeting Point: Deacon Brodies Tavern, EH1 2PH
This Edinburgh ghost tour bus is ideal for both visitors and locals alike.
City Of Edinburgh Tours
City of Edinburgh Tours is heralded for its chillingly epic excursion - The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour - which takes you through the area's infamous landmarks. Think St Giles' Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirkyard, plus the menacing South Bridge vaults.
But that's not all, as it also hosts walks that give insight into the innocent women accused of and tortured for witchcraft. If you need somewhere to lighten the mood, nearby haunt The Three Sisters fronts fun events, lip-smacking grub and thirst-quenching drinks.
When: Every day at 6.10pm, 6.45pm and 7.45pm
Price: £17 per adult, £12 per child
Meeting Point: Old Police Box, 124A High Street, EH1 1QS
You can expect passionate, theatrical guides at each of this company's Edinburgh ghost tour underground.
City Of The Dead Tours Edinburgh
For a sensationally spine-chilling experience that's sure to make your hair stand on end, make a beeline for City Of The Dead Tours Edinburgh. With them, you'll creep around in the 'underground city of the dead', where a malevolent entity stalks the once misery-doused vaults that have only recently been unsealed.
You can also discover the Greyfriars Kirkyard, including the Covenanter's Prison. And if you need somewhere to settle your nerves with a good ol' dram, The Greyfriars Bobby is literally down the road.
When: Dates vary throughout the year
Price: £17
Meeting Point: Tree of the Dead, St Giles Cathedral, EH1 1RE
Be careful at the Covenanter's Prison; a dangerous poltergeist has been known to cause real physical and mental harm to visitors...
Historic Edinburgh Tours
Historic Edinburgh Tours takes you on a private visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard, the world's most famous burial ground. Learn the terrible tales of many of the bodies that lay just inches away from you, as well as those of bodysnatchers, murderers and torturers.
Once you've decided your heart can't take any more, grab yourself a table at McGonagall's Gin & Whisky Emporium for a dram of something strong to take the edge off.
When: 10am or 2pm daily
Price: £70 for a private tour for 1, £90 for two, kids go free
Meeting Point: Inside the gateway to Greyfriars Kirkyard, EH1 2QQ
If you're in search of something a little more family-friendly, this one's a great shout.
Auld Reekie Tours
Auld Reekie Tours take you through Edinburgh Old Town’s most notorious Haunted Vaults, found hidden beneath South Bridge. Not only did the destitute and wretched slum here, but also a dangerous criminal underworld.
But if that’s not enough? You can also embark on a terror tour to uncover the gruesome torture devices used back in the 1500s, as well as an eerie exploration of the Greyfriars graveyard. Afterwards, fill your boots with scrumptious eats and craft beers at The Last Drop.
When: 5pm, 7pm and 9pm daily
Price: £22 per person
Meeting Point: 300 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PH
They also claim to be the only tour company to have authentic links to witchcraft... do with that what you will.
Mercat Tours
Mercat Tours unveil the dark, haunted history of Edinburgh with its variety of walks taking place throughout the year. Follow a cloaked storyteller down into the Blair Street Underground Vaults and uncover stories of murders, hangings and body snatchers.
Or, explore Old Town Edinburgh's morbid past with an Evening Of Ghosts And Ghouls, which pairs horror with drinks, as you sip on Ballantine's finest Scotch whisky, Skeleton Blues hazy IPA or locally-made organic soft drinks in a candle-lit cellar.
When: Dates vary throughout the year
Price: £22 per person
Meeting point: The Mercat Cross
Pair the haunted with hops at some of Mercat Tour's events.
Looking for more spooky things to do in Edinburgh? Check out this year's Halloween events right here and sign up to our future newsletter.
