Guided tour

Edinburgh: Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour

Activity provider:Auld Reekie Tours
Guided tour

Edinburgh: Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour

Activity provider:Auld Reekie Tours
Likely to sell out

From US$ 27.16 per person

Likely to sell out
Certified

Venture underneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile for terrifying ghost stories on this guided tour of the city's underground which includes the Edinburgh Vaults, stone circle vault, and a torture exhibition.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 75 minutes
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Explore above and below Edinburgh's Royal Mile
  • Go to the underground vaults of Auld Reekie to hear horrifying ghost stories
  • Learn how instruments of torture were used
  • Discover the living conditions of the wynds and closes in days gone by
Full description

Join this late-night guided walking tour in English of Edinburgh to discover the city’s darkest and most frightening experience. Hear ghost stories of the city told above and below the ground of the Royal Mile. Walk through the famous wynds and closes of the Royal Mile, learning about the horrific living conditions of the population that once lived in these underground rooms. Listen to stories from your guide about murderers who roamed the streets and snatched bodies to sell to medical schools at the time. Then, hear stories of the scratching hauntress who leaves marks on her victims. Witness torture exhibits and learn how these devices were used in times gone by.

Finally, go to the home of “The Watcher” ghost, and see the infamous stone circle vault, still decorated with pentagrams and spiritual symbols.

Includes
  • Entry to the Torture Exhibition
  • Entry to the vaults of Edinburgh’s South Bridge
  • Guide
  • Food and drink
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with claustrophobia
  • Wheelchair users
  • Children under 18 years

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the Tourist Information Ticket Booth/Police Box. This is located outside of the Bank of Scotland, which is on the opposite side of the road to Deacon Brodie's Tavern.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

  • Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
  • Intoxication
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Video recording
  • Audio recording

Know before you go

  • This tour is in English only. No audio guides or translations are available
  • Children under 2 years of age not allowed on tour.
  • Toilets are not available during the tour
  • Some content may be of a distressing nature and may include content related to torture, hangings, death, and the like
  • Entrance to the vaults is by a 2-foot-tall step and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
  • There are single-floor spiral staircases at the entrance/exit of vaults and further small sections of stairs inside
  • Please do not arrive late as the guide will not wait for latecomers
  • Filming or live streaming of the tour is strictly forbidden and could result in ejection from the tour
  • Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden on tour
  • Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away
  • Inquiries (emails, calls) are addressed every day between 10 AM-5 PM
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 762 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4.5/5
  • Organization
    4.5/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

Hi all, if you desire a story teller, get shocked by gruesome stories about the history of the vaults, and while you're in there, need to feel safe? Than this is what you need to do! Darren was the most amazing story teller of all times! We ware captured in his stories. And you get so see many insights in the past times of the vaults. You'll be shocked and surprised and spooked! It was an amazing experience. My bf loved it, me myself, I am sensitive. I was scared. " yeah yeah pussy". See it for yourself!!

Read more

May 16, 2023

Awesome tour thank you. A perfect amount of scary with a small splash of humour to lighten the mood. We had something that sounded like a coin being thrown behind us and the majority of the group heard a child! It has a great paranormal feel unlike the ‘ghost’ tour we’d done earlier that was more like ghost storytelling for fun - this one felt authentic. Our host was brill- sharp and to the point and super informative. I want to do it again.

Read more

May 14, 2023

Went on the underground late tour with my wife, we were both thoroughly enjoyed our time throughout the tour, the history was very interesting. James, was an excellent tour guide, keeping us engaged and entertained while giving us a history lesson at the same time.

May 8, 2023

Product ID: 33266