Edinburgh Old Town Ghost Tour: Journey Through City's Dark Past with Humor and Fright

Embark on Edinburgh’s original ghost tour and journey through the dark past of the city’s Old Town. Explore cobbled passageways, hear tall tales, and encounter guaranteed ghastly appearances with a humorous twist.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cadies & Witchery Tours - Number 84 West Bow, down near the bottom of the not-so-sunny side of picturesque Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, is an unassuming address amongst the majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the shop today, you can find a cornucopia (we don’t use the word lightly; we looked it up and everything) of ghoulish and fantastical stationery, drinkware, ornaments, soft furnishings, original artwork and art prints, greeting cards, chess sets, and unique oddities hard to even describe.

In 2015 we also became (possibly) Scotland’s smallest museum, when the shop became host to a calling-card case made from the skin of the notorious 19th-century “body-snatcher” (actually murderer), William Burke. We can’t sell you that (mainly because even the experts on Antiques Roadshow couldn’t give us a valuation of it) but we have produced a rather spiffing souvenir newspaper taken from our own vaults and covering Burke & Hare’s trial in some detail.

What's Included
  • Famous ‘Jumper-ooters’ experience
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Food and drink, unless specified
Additional Information

This is Edinburgh’s original ghost tour. We’ve been wandering the streets of Old Town Edinburgh since 1984.

Your guide is Alexander Clapperton (deceased), a one time cemetery director. He will blend history with humour and facts with fables, while our creation - the “jumper-ooter” provides guaranteed ghastly appearances.

Explore the cobbled passageways around the Old Town and hear tall tales from the city’s dark past on this light-hearted outdoor 90 minute tour.

Our tours operate outdoors through rain, snow, lightning and even sunshine, so please dress appropriately and comfortable footwear is recommended.

  • This tour is NOT wheelchair accesible in August due to an alternative meeting point. Please check before booking.
  • Children must always be accompanied by at least one adult.
Location
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill
Meet outside the Witchery Restaurant, 5-10 minutes before the start of the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(581 Ratings)
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Travel560303
Jul 19, 2024
Must do! - We had a great time! It wasn’t exactly what we expected but we learned a lot of history, had a few scares and enjoyed the stories. Great actors who made the tour a lot of fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E7479hherinb
Jul 15, 2024
Fun and Informative Tour - My family and I had a great time on the Ghost and Gore walking tour. It was very funny yet informative about life in Edinburgh over the last few hundreds of years. Our guides were top-notch and made it very engaging.
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Dominik74
Jul 12, 2024
Great British, no sorry, Scottish humour! - Very entertaining and lots of Scottish humour. The better your English, the more fun you have. We took the tour with our teenage kids and we all agreed that it was great. The guide will involve you, but don’t be afraid, it’s always in a friendly manner (but I will not spill the details of course).
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Ndemello
Jun 30, 2024
Do NOT miss this fun tour! - We were here a dozen years ago and took the kids on this night time walking tour. We had so much fun and learned so much about the history of Edinburgh in a comical and entertaining way, we came back and did it again and we’re not disappointed! It is family friendly, more funny jump scare than ghostly scare. Multiple characters come to visit and educate you along the way. Very enjoyable. Right on the Royal Mile so you can catch the castle tour, some shopping or eating or the Military Tattoo if you come in August right before or after your tour. A plus!
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Lauraba3675pz
Jun 30, 2024
Entertaining Tour of Old Edinburgh - What a fun (and funny) tour! We (10 yr. old, 13 yr. old, and parents) thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend adding this tour to your Edinburgh experience.
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Cora
Jun 29, 2024
Silly fun with history - The tour was a blast. Many thanks to Mr Clapperton and friends on this tour. I appreciated the humour and knowledge. The walking part was easy.
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Friedeaelch
Jun 26, 2024
Great recommended Grouseltour - Nice tour of the Old Town of Edinbrough. In addition to real horror stories, there were also interesting things about the history and architecture. If you are still looking for a nice job in the evening, you can only recommend this tour.
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Dani_lu1973
Jun 23, 2024
Informative and fun tour of Edinburgh's past centuries - The walk begins at the top of the Royal Mile and runs once around St Giles Cathedral through old closes (passages into backyards and shortcuts to neighbouring streets). The tour guide talks captivatingly and insightfully about past centuries in Edinburgh. He is interrupted by a second actor who slips into a different role each time. The whole tour is entertaining and fun. Thanks!!!
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Lilianv690
Jun 20, 2024
A fun way to hear tales about Edinburgh - The tour was amazing. Both actors are brilliant and gave us a very good time while learning a little about Edinburgh's story.
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Reeganm2024
Jun 25, 2024
Fairly poor. Drawn out stories. Long time standing around. - Very drawn out. Took ages to Get around to 4-5 different spots. Not in anyway frightening. Stood in each location way too long.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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