Ghost Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£29
per adult
Mercat Tours
Mercat Tours
4.5
City ToursGhost & Vampire ToursWalking ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate Tours
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling!' We're an independent family business and simply love sharing Edinburgh's stories. We're the original, largest, and first 5 star walking tour company in Scotland giving guaranteed quality. With guaranteed daily departures, year round we offer exclusive access to Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse & National Museum of Scotland. Our tours run 10am-10pm, daily so we're sure you'll find a match to suit your tastes!
Edinburgh, Scotland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Private and Luxury
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£26
per adult
Historical Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£24
per adult
Cultural Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£24
per adult
Ghost Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£24
per adult
Travellers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
9,878 reviews
Excellent
7,444
Very good
1,588
Average
429
Poor
220
Terrible
199
Ash H
2 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We went on the 1 hour tour of the Edinburgh vaults and can honestly say it was brilliant. Our tour guide, Tuesday, was excellent. She gave good context to how the vaults were created, why, and how they operate around the current city and how they have had an impact upon the modern day Edinburgh's Street level and how it affects the streets you walk around daily and also let's you appreciate how the city would have operated in the past as well as what it must have been like in the vaults when they were being lived in.
The history she talked about and the stories she mentioned gave real colour to things around Edinburgh and brought in some good perspective on the more grizzly bits of Edinburgh's past without being slap dash and feeling hammed up.
In the Vaults themselves, each room we entered had a rich history behind it explained brilliantly by Tuesday, some with a mix of the paranormal, which although not necessarily my thing, actually brought another quite interesting aspect to the tour and the vaults, and in all honesty was a welcome addition!
Personally I really enjoyed this, the tour was great, the price I considered ridiculously cheap for what you got. All in all, if you have any interest in the cities history or paranormal stories I would fully recommend this, and if you don't. Go on it, and you will!
The history she talked about and the stories she mentioned gave real colour to things around Edinburgh and brought in some good perspective on the more grizzly bits of Edinburgh's past without being slap dash and feeling hammed up.
In the Vaults themselves, each room we entered had a rich history behind it explained brilliantly by Tuesday, some with a mix of the paranormal, which although not necessarily my thing, actually brought another quite interesting aspect to the tour and the vaults, and in all honesty was a welcome addition!
Personally I really enjoyed this, the tour was great, the price I considered ridiculously cheap for what you got. All in all, if you have any interest in the cities history or paranormal stories I would fully recommend this, and if you don't. Go on it, and you will!
Written 24 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi AshHine,
Thank you for joining us on the first day of our Blair Street Underground Vaults re-opening for all tours! It was a very exciting day for us and we are so glad to hear that you enjoyed it. It sounds like Tuesday did an incredible job of telling Edinburgh's colourful and sometimes dark stories. The vaults are such a unique and interesting place and we're very grateful to be able to tell their tales on our tours.
Thanks so much for such a thorough review!
All the best and thanks for choosing Mercat,
Kim
Written 25 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emy s
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
Yesterday, we joined the doomed dead and buried tour by Karis. It was amazing to see the city from this (dark and mysterious) side and to hear the old stories which are told in this city. Besides, it was really nice to see the underground vaults and she could tell everything with passion and humor when this was necessary which made it easy to feel that you attended the happening back in the days.
I would definitely recommend this tour since it is really interesting to hear te stories, which you would probably never know, and to see the city this kind of view and to see these hidden places.
I would definitely recommend this tour since it is really interesting to hear te stories, which you would probably never know, and to see the city this kind of view and to see these hidden places.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Emyst,
Really glad to hear that you enjoyed the Doomed, Dead and Buried tour with Karis.
It's great that you felt the passion and story-telling was able to transport you back to the past!
Thanks for your recommendation.
All the best,
Kim
Written 13 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Penny C
1 contribution
Jan 2020
We went on the 'Doomed, Dead and Buried' ghost tour on a cold and wet evening in January and had a blast! There were a huge number on our tour but our guide, Karis, was still warm, welcoming and friendly despite the weather.
The walk led us through some of the gruesome history of Edinburgh in the 18th and 19th century with the star attraction being the Blair Street vaults under South Bridge. The tour covered witches trials, the plague, body snatchers, and the illicit underground and nastiness of Old Town life.
Karis did a wonderful job of injecting the walk with a spooky vibe, her storytelling skills were fab and we were left both fascinated and unnerved. If anything it left me wanting to learn more - maybe even go on another of their walks.
The walk led us through some of the gruesome history of Edinburgh in the 18th and 19th century with the star attraction being the Blair Street vaults under South Bridge. The tour covered witches trials, the plague, body snatchers, and the illicit underground and nastiness of Old Town life.
Karis did a wonderful job of injecting the walk with a spooky vibe, her storytelling skills were fab and we were left both fascinated and unnerved. If anything it left me wanting to learn more - maybe even go on another of their walks.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Penny,
Thanks for the great feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had a blast on our tour with Karis!
Remember to hold onto your previous ticket if you do come back for your £2 discount~
We hope to see you again!
All the best,
Kim
Written 3 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sml
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Group of 8 of us joined this tour there was about 30 people in total which is probably just the right amount, the tour guide was loud and clear and did her job excellently.
The tour took just over an hour which was long enough, I would have like to have spent more time in the vaults but I’m sure you can do this on other tours. Would definitely recommend Mercat tours.
The tour took just over an hour which was long enough, I would have like to have spent more time in the vaults but I’m sure you can do this on other tours. Would definitely recommend Mercat tours.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Shirley,
So glad you all enjoyed our tour and thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
If perchance you'd like to join us again remember to hold onto your ticket for a £2 discount!
All the best,
Kim
Written 13 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beth E
Edinburgh, UK11 contributions
Sept 2021
We chose to invite friends to join us on Edinburgh's Talking Statues walk. We started off in the Old Town and ended in the New Town. The pace was perfect and our guide Naomi kept us enthralled with stories about a number of statues on our journey through Edinburgh. But the MOST INTERESTING part of the tour was Naomi telling us about women (and one young girl) who made an impact and may perhaps be deserving of their own statue. Rather than me going on and on about Edinburgh's Talking Statues walk we can highly recommend you book the tour to see and listen for yourself! There are two tours available in October...go for it!
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Bethe,
Thanks so much for your wonderful review of our Talking Statues tour. It sounds like Naomi did an excellent job and I'll make sure to pass on your compliments. Really glad you enjoyed the tour and so happy we could earn your recommendation.
All the best,
Kim
Written 5 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HettyHaitch
Solihull, UK19 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Our tour guide Lauren was perfect. She told stories of the misfortune and awfulness that befell past residents of Edinburgh, weaving our small group down streets and alleys until we were lead into the vaults beneath the South Bridge...
Not scary at all but atmospheric and combined with Lauren’s magical story-telling technique, her lilting Irish accent and penchant for well placed drama - it was a tour to remember.
Thank you!
Not scary at all but atmospheric and combined with Lauren’s magical story-telling technique, her lilting Irish accent and penchant for well placed drama - it was a tour to remember.
Thank you!
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Hetty,
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review! We're really glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Lauren.
All the best,
Kim
Written 5 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alexander I
4 contributions
Nov 2021
We attended Historic underground tour. Charles was our guide and he was amazing. He presented many interesting facts about history of Edinburgh and its vaults. We really enjoyed his artistic manner of storytelling and highly recommend this 1h15min tour.
Written 27 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Alexanderi,
Thanks for joining us for our Historic Underground tour! We are so glad that you enjoyed it and it sounds like Charles did a fantastic job. I'll be sure to pass your compliments along as I'm sure they'll make his day.
So glad we could earn your recommendation and thanks for choosing Mercat.
Best Wishes,
Kim
Written 29 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melanie J
Manchester, UK126 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
I’ve always wanted to do one of the vaults tours, and we opted for the ghostly one rather than full history for a little bit of interest for 11 y/old that has enjoyed ghostly history tours before.
Naomi was a great guide, good comedic timing and knowledgable about the city’s history as well as the ghost stories that the tour centres around.
Seeing inside the south bridge vaults was interesting in itself, and hearing more about the lives of people who would have lived and used the spaces (will leave it up to you to decide if you think any of them are still hanging around....)
There is a definite atmosphere to the place and at several points when Naomi was talking in the rooms we heard footsteps that seemed unlikely to be generated by the other members of the group without them moving around. Who knows...?
Definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in the history as much as anything else.
Naomi was a great guide, good comedic timing and knowledgable about the city’s history as well as the ghost stories that the tour centres around.
Seeing inside the south bridge vaults was interesting in itself, and hearing more about the lives of people who would have lived and used the spaces (will leave it up to you to decide if you think any of them are still hanging around....)
There is a definite atmosphere to the place and at several points when Naomi was talking in the rooms we heard footsteps that seemed unlikely to be generated by the other members of the group without them moving around. Who knows...?
Definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in the history as much as anything else.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mel,
We're so happy you both enjoyed the tour. Thanks for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review! Many of our members of staff have been spooked when they've heard mysterious footsteps also, as well as many of our visitors.
It's hard to say what the cause might be in this case as you said. But who knows, perhaps an old personality took an interest that night!
Thanks for joining us & all the best,
Kim
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lexxie Scott
2 contributions
Feb 2020
Went with Arwen (my second time on the tour, mother's first) and was blown away by the depth of knowledge presented in an entertaining narrative. She was even able to make the health and safety portion of the talk fun and engaging. If you like ghosts or just history presented in a very interesting way, highly recommend this - or another - of their tours,
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lexxie,
Thanks for joining us a second time! We are so happy that we could provide you and your mother with an engaging experience. We're so delighted that we could earn your recommendation.
All the best,
Kim
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Preci R
United Kingdom5 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Lauren was a great storyteller. She has this amazing way of weaving gory history and humor together that would send you in laughing fits. They also have this device (bring your own airphones, no airpods) that you can hear her clearly despite being socially distanced to her and your tourmates. The walk was not difficult, easily manageable. This tour are for thse who want to know macabre details about Edinburgh and gain a better
understanding of how things were done back in the day. So worth the money! :)
understanding of how things were done back in the day. So worth the money! :)
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Preci,
We are so happy that you enjoyed your time on tour with Lauren. Thanks for the wonderful review and for sharing some info about our Tour Talks device! We're glad you felt everything worked well.
All the best and thanks for choosing Mercat,
Kim
Written 9 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The reviewer stated they paid £11 for the ghost vaults tour they reviewed. I see on the website it is more like £20. I was looking to book the doomed dead and buried tour but it comes to £50 for myself and partner. A tad expensive so I wondered how that person paid £11 ?? Is there a discount I am not aware of ?
Carolyne
Written 24 August 2024
Hi,
We are unsure which ghost tour to book we are wanting to do the vaults and the best tour we can please can anyone advise?
Also we need start and finish locations so can plan our activities around the tour
Thank you
Written 31 May 2021
Hi Corrinaandrob,
Hope you're well. We have four tours currently running that visit the vaults:
- Doomed, Dead & Buried a 16+ ghost tour which also visits the Canongate Graveyard.
- Hidden & Haunted: A 18+ tour of the vaults that gets a bit more into the gory details.
- Ghostly Underground: A tour of the vaults covering their dark history.
- Historic Underground: A history tour of the vaults.
Tom Riddle's grave is not located at the Canongate but Adam Smith's, Clarinda's (ex-lover of Robert Burns), and Robert Fergusson's are among others.
All tours start at the Mercat Cross and end at the Blair Street Vaults. Hope this helps and hope to see you soon!
All the best, Kim - Marketing Executive
Written 1 June 2021
We are going next weekend (13th Sep) will the Vaults be open then?
Written 6 September 2020
Do any of the ghost tours have actors/people jumping out?
Written 17 February 2020
Hi James,
No, we do not have actors or people jumping out on our ghost tours. We keep our tours authentic so that people can get a true feel for the vaults and so that any encounters with spirits can be trusted to be genuine and not fabricated.
All the best. - Kim
Written 18 February 2020
Which ghost tour spends the most time in the vaults?
Written 17 February 2020
Hi James,
All of our ghost tours spend 30 minutes down in the vaults. If you're looking for a bit longer our Historic Underground spends the longest at 45 minutes!
Hope this helps. - Kim
Written 18 February 2020
I was just telling someone about this, it happened to us too!! My (ex)wife, myself and my son were standing in the middle of the room, listening to the ghost stories at the end of the tour and she felt a burning on her arm, we got outside and she had three scratches on her arm! I have a pic of it, we were blown away.
Written 23 January 2020
I felt someone hit me and I turned to my friend and asked her why she hit me, it wasn't her?????
Written 27 January 2020
What time this Thursday do tours of the Edinburgh Catacombs commence thanks?
Written 23 September 2019
Hello there,
We provide several tours that will include a visit to the Blair Street Underground throughout the day and evening
The first tour of the day on Thursday 26th September is 12pm Historic Underground, this is also available at 2pm & 4pm. The tour will take 1.25hrs in duration.
We also have Ghostly Underground and this takes place at 1pm, 3pm & 5pm daily. This tour will also take 1.25hrs in duration, please visit Mercat Tours website for more information on tour content along with ticket prices
We look forward to welcoming you on a tour. The question is, will it be History of the underground or the Ghostly experience?
All the best
Shirley
Written 24 September 2019
I'm planning to book a ghost tour for my visit in Edinburgh. Which one of the tours would be the spookiest?? Thank you
Written 7 July 2019
Mercat tours has one that includes the dungeons it was booked out when we were there I’d give that a go!
Written 12 July 2019
Is the Hidden and Haunted tour more about ghosts or blood and guts?
Written 16 October 2018
Hi Maimykins, our Hidden & Haunted ghost tour of Edinburgh focuses more on the city's dark past. It is about ghosts. Hope that helps you :)
Written 17 October 2018
Can I please get a refund for the tour you cancelled yesterday (Saturday 8th Sept) without giving any notice?
Written 9 September 2018
Hi Madge,
We will need to talk to you offline to arrange a refund. You can contact us through the channels listed on our website (we can't paste contact details here as it's against TripAdvisor policies).
All the best, Jean
Written 10 September 2018
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