Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
- 1 hour
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Journey along Edinburgh's Royal Mile hearing some of Edinburgh's darker history before visiting the infamous hidden and supposedly haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town. Hear tales of how the poor and unfortunate lived in these former slums. Explore these dimly lit vaults by candlelight, once the haunt of criminals, body snatchers and witches alike, said by some to now be occupied by a few of the spirits of these inhabitants long since dead. Each vault has stories of crime, disease, death and lots more... with which your guide shall enlighten you in all the gory details! You will see a genuine witchcraft temple, recently used by a Wiccan coven and you will enter their former temple. Join us to learn why it is no longer safe for them to practice their craft in that vault. DARE you step inside the infamous stone circle?
Inclusions
What's included
- Professional guide
- Haunted vault visit
- Live English-speaking guide
What's not
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to/from meeting point
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
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- 4915
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Ratings come from 9,436 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Vaults Tour
Excellent experience. Fun and informative without being too serious. Got to see a different side of Edinburgh without taking up the whole of the day. Shoutout to our guide Lisa, who was very entertaining!
5Worth it
It was a fun experience, have your rain coat or umbrella along for inclement weather. Worth the price and time of tour
5Just brilliant!
Lisa was absolutely fantastic and seamlessly flavoured the tour with comedy, intrigue, horror and history presented perfectly on a bed of wonderful Scottish pride! Would highly recommend.
5Super Spooky and Cool!
This tour was excellent!! Nick was an excellent guide!
1Very disappointing.
Louisa, who was very nice, yet talked so fast that we could not understand half of what she was taking. In addition, i took this same tour four years ago, perhaps with a different tour company, that covered so many other underground spaces, that truly were underground and just under the bridge. They were mostly centered accross the street, both underneath the bar with the cow’s rear, accross and up the side street. Very disappointing.
3Underwhelming experience!
The tour was short, felt rushed, and the vaults were underwhelming. The tour guide, Louisa, was funny and full of knowledge. For less than $30, you get what you pay for.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- The tour starts from the Red Telephone Box and Tourist Information Police Box, outside of 300 Lawnmarket. This is on the opposite side of the road from Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as the tour will always depart on time.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 36 travellers
- Operated by
- Auld Reekie Tours Ltd
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- not suitable for children under 5 years of age, children under 2 years of age are not allowed on tour.
- Entrance/Exit to the vaults is via a 2 foot tall step followed by single flight spiral staircase.
- Mezzanine staircases of 5-7 steps inside vaults between levels.
- Alcohol/Drugs are strictly forbidden and anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
How it compares in Edinburgh
- Its from-price is 88% below the median of the 1253 experiences we list in Edinburgh.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 2 of 1253.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, rises on volcanic hills, with a castle on a crag, a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town.
Edinburgh Castle crowns Castle Rock and keeps the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels. From there, the Royal Mile runs downhill through the Old Town, past St Giles' Cathedral and a warren of narrow closes, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano, rises above the palace with sweeping views.
Top-ranked sights in Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh Castle.
Special offers in Edinburgh
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
