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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
4.8
3,501 Ratings
Edinburgh
Uncover the dark secrets of Edinburgh on this 2-hour walking tour. Explore chilling cemeteries, hear tales of witches and vampires, and discover the city’s gruesome history.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Royal Mile - Meet your guide on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the main artery of the Old Town, and embark on your walking exploration of the city’s darker aspects. Edinburgh is teeming with strange occurrences, and the locals whisper of murderers, vampires, beasts, and even cannibals with trepidation.
- North Bridge - Accompany your guide through shadowy courtyards and sinister backstreets, listening to harrowing accounts of hangings, killings, torment, apparitions, and sorcery. Then, proceed to the North Bridge, notorious for its grim past, before ascending Calton Hill.
- Calton Hill - As your guide recounts authentic horror stories, including those of the historic witch trials, feel a shiver run down your spine. Learn about the hill’s current use for pagan celebrations like the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival, while enjoying panoramic views of the cityscape.
- Old Calton Burial Ground - Next, make your way to the Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s haunting graveyards. Observe the grand tomb of David Hume, rumored to have struck a bargain with the devil, and possibly learn about the notorious resurrectionists Burke and Hare.
- Canongate Kirk - Or, you might explore the Canongate Kirkyard cemetery, established in the 17th century. This tour is free from theatrical tricks, fabricated tales, or costumed creatures.
- Edinburgh Old Town - Concluding after approximately two hours, your journey ends at a nearby tavern on the Royal Mile, where you’re invited to unwind with a beer or whisky at your own expense, following this captivating and eerie excursion.
What's Included
- Professional guide
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Discover the dark corners of Edinburgh. The horrifying and the majestic. The supernatural and the horrifying. This 2-hour journey is an enticingly thrilling walk through the eerie and obscure side of Scotland’s capital. Step into the spots known for legends of murder, horrifying creatures, and chaos, and make a stop at Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard, two of Edinburgh’s eeriest graveyards. Listen to actual stories of witches, grave-robbers, vampires, cannibals and more shared by your captivating guide throughout the tour.
- The independent guides who employ us to market their tours have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group
- We unfortunately do not advise guests in wheelchairs to join the Dark Side Tour, due to the narrow stairways and steep hills. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment caused.
Location
130 High St
High Street
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Look for the guide with the SANDEMANs red name badge.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(3501 Ratings)
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Helen_n
Sep 1, 2024
Not your usual ghost tour - Our guide Ryan has comprehensive knowledge about the “dark side “of the city. Rather than stories just to frighten, he told of history that matters… History that makes you ponder. This was an excellent combination of Edinburgh’s past and the verities of mankind
Review provided by Viator
Sightsee51055249941
Jul 6, 2024
Well worth it! - We thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Ryan,who is much, much more than a tour guide. He was a gifted performer,who combined information with entertainment and thought provoking observations. We discovered new places in Edinburgh and were hugely entertained. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightseer31504337472
Jun 29, 2024
Ryan gives a great dark history tour. - My family of 3 just went on an excellent tour with Ryan. Although I was initially disappointed he didn’t have a Scottish accent (he is Canadian) his charisma, passion, and humor very quickly drew the whole group in. His command of the history and storytelling was compelling but he brought something else to the narrative that I have never experienced in a tour like this. He engages the stories on a deeper level. Although he did describe the dark history, and well, he also used empathy and perspective to find more humanity and horror in everything. I strongly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
William_e
Jun 22, 2024
Eerie past in Edinburgh - Details about ghosts, hangings, witches. Good historical review. Background of tour guide made him most credible
Review provided by Viator
Venture31210498058
Jun 21, 2024
Unique and engaging - We had a terrific time on this very enjoyable tour. Our guide, Ryan was exceptional. He provided an informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking experience. In addition to sharing many interesting stories, he encouraged the group to really engage with the history being shared and relate it to the present and their own lives. Very well done - would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberly_d
Jun 20, 2024
Awesome tour! - Our guide, Ryan, was simply born to be a tour guide!!! He made all of the stories super captivating! He took a great path that anyone would be able to walk! We highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Lauren_p
Jun 6, 2024
Our tour guide was... - Our tour guide was Sabella and she is such a fantastic storyteller! She really brought the city to life and had information I would never have discovered otherwise! There is a LOT of walking involved with this tour but it is well worth it. Definitely the easier routes of Edinburgh rather than making it through all the city steps yourself, but be prepared to cover a fair distance! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Review provided by Viator
Sandrine_b
May 17, 2024
Great tour, thank you Belle! - We did the tour with Belle on Thursday evening and we really enjoyed it. Many thanks to Belle for her enthusiasm and good story telling. We’ll leave Edinburgh knowing many, although horrible, interesting facts/stories
Review provided by Viator
Srx6909hn
May 15, 2024
Great tour! - Informational and educational saw sights in both new and old Edinburg. Good balance of murder, history and hiking! We covered a lot of ground. Remember the start and end points are not the same.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebecca_c
Jun 15, 2024
Would not do again - My friend and I took the Darkside tour on Thursday, June 6. The gentleman that gave her tour was very animated and pulled attention well. However, He felt that his tour would be better than the tour that we booked. (It was not his first time being a tour guide, but it was his first tour with this company.) Meaning that the locations that we booked the tour for were not going to be visited because he felt he created a better tour. He did not, in fact. Over half the tour spent walking back-and-forth between the same spots. The description of what we booked versus what we experienced certainly did not meet any of our expectations.
Review provided by Viator
