Edinburgh - Dark History

Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...

1. 1

   Old Town

   Pass by

   A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.

2. 2

   Heart of Midlothian

   10 min

   Former site of the Old Tollbooth, one of Edinburgh's most notorious buildings. Hear about some of the characters once imprisoned and/or executed here, and why it ultimately became recognised by Sir Walter Scott as the Hard of the Midlothian.

3. 3

   St Giles' Cathedral

   10 min

   What seems like the car park hides a secret, as well as the burial place of one of the most controversial figures in Scottish history.

4. 4

   Mercat Cross

   10 min

   Another infamous execution site. Hear about the importance of the building in the life of the city, and about a literal killing machine which was once kept inside St. Giles Cathedral.

5. 5

   Royal Mile

   40 min

   Walk down the Royal Mile, where you'll hear about some of Edinburgh's notorious citizens, the Black Plague, and how the city's poor sanitary conditions eventually led to a most peculiar tradition.

6. 6

   John Knox House Museum

   5 min

   Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most "authentic" corners in the city centre.

7. 7

   Canongate Kirk

   40 min

   Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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