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
(590 Ratings)
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Tristanmz5260qy
Sep 24, 2024
Best Ghost Tour in Edinburgh! - This was my second time on the Ghosts and Gore Walking Tour, and it did not disappoint! My first experience was over New Year's last year with friends, and I enjoyed it so much that I brought my dad along in September. This tour is hands down one of the best I've ever been on—it's incredibly well-produced, hilariously entertaining, and an all-around fantastic experience. I can't recommend it enough, and I'll definitely be returning for another round next time I am in Scotland!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hhhtheone
Sep 24, 2024
Entertaining and educational - The first time I booked this tour was 24 years ago and I was thrilled. Now 24 years later, everything was still great. The tour with the late cemetery director Alexander Clapperton and the characters appearing during the tour gives an impressive picture of "old" Edinburgh. The time and places have changed and that's a good thing. A highlight in Edinburgh!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyage589140
Sep 15, 2024
Ghosts and Ghore tour - to die for !!!! - Extremely enjoyable experience. First class knowledge of the comperes with great attention to detail and engaging interaction with the group. The costume character played the role really well together with Mr Clapperton whose knowledge supplemented the act. FRIGHT factor was great !!! worked really well and would certainly recommend 😀
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Schetwynd
Sep 10, 2024
Great Ghosts & Gore Tour - Great tour, super guides, both very informative, lots of laughs and good fun. There were about 20 on the tour, which was a good number, we could all ‘coorie in’ and get close enough to listen. The main guide really looked the part in his costume, however, the wee jumper-ooter guy could do with a new skeleton mask. I struggled to make out part of what he was saying when he was dressed as the witch (Agnes Finnie) as he had a face covering on, so quite muffled (especially if you’re a tourist on the tour, I’m ok as I’m from Edinburgh). I still managed to learn lots of new stories, great tour, and will defo bring the kids when they are a bit older. The tour was meant to be 90 minutes, but we were informed at the start that this may run over as they have lots to tell us and checked if that was ok with everyone for trains, buses, pick-ups. We walked down from the Witchery and into James Close, where we stood for some time, then a very short walk to Makars Court, into Parliament Square (I was the chosen witch) into the car park at the back of St Giles Cathedral, interesting to be shown John Knox Grave (Number 23) Stopped at the Heart of Midlothian and headed back up towards the Witchery. It would have been quite nice though to maybe see a few more closes, quirky building or parts of the Royal Mile? But a great tour. Thanks
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L6542mschrisd
Sep 6, 2024
Mr Clapperman offers you a great way to spend time with the living and the dead! - A hauntingly informative good time! I cannot think of a better way to spend an evening in old Edinburgh with the dead and buried.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C8848gtnuriac
Sep 4, 2024
Free tour fantasmas Edimburgo - Mireia was our Guide. Great knowledge of the subject. Very prepared and interesting, pleasant, pleasant. I recommend it. It gets short.
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Wendywu2500vj
Sep 3, 2024
Fun tour about not so fun things - Super fun and learned loads about all the deep dark history of Edinburgh. Expect silly hi-jinks and characters! Good value for the tour as well.
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Maegan_k
Sep 2, 2024
Great Tour - The tour was very fun and informative! The guides were very funny and knowledgeable. I had a great time and recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
881fjb
Aug 31, 2024
Spooky - Alexander Clapperton (deceased) was resurrected in 1990 after resting for 143 years led us around old town, his level of knowledge of the city and what befell so many poor folk was amazing - he was interrupted many times by visits from other tOld Town ghosts whose jokes were funny bad - Tour was brill throughly enjoyed but also learnt a lot too - definitely go - we had to leave after 90 mins but our group was still throughly enjoying themselves !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathryn
Aug 30, 2024
So fun! - Came with family and had a blast! Such a fun and hilarious way to learn more about the history and geography of Edinburgh.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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