Visited the vaults as a last minute idea for something do for the evening after a fun packed day in Edinburgh. Seen this advertised online and having a somewhat limited knowledge of the vaults existence and their respective infamy within the history of Edinburgh and within paranormal circles I jumped at the chance to book on.
We arrived at the meeting point which as a point of advice could perhaps be signed a bit clearer as it’s basically next to a scaffold and phone box which I appreciate is unavoidable however, any or some form of signage to indicate you are at least in the right place would be great.
Our guide James arrived in very good time to check tickets and make sure everyone was there who was supposed to be there. He very punctually started the tour at 10pm sharp and away we went. He advised us that we would be taking a short walk around Edinburgh down some side streets before entering into the vaults otherwise known as one of the “most haunted places in the world”
On the way to the vaults there were some very interesting tidbits of history about the local area which was informative and delivered in a knowledge and personable style. James was very good at keeping a few of the rowdier members of the group in check which in turn did not spoil it for anyone else so he is to be commended for that.
Upon arriving at the vaults there were a few bits on health and safety at which point we went up some stairs - at this point we were directly followed by a clearly drunk gentleman with a dog who again was dealt with in a robust manner by James. Sadly the gentleman decided to kick the door in but again this was dealt with excellently by James and the tour wasn’t disrupted being the consummate professional that he clearly is the show must go on and go on it did.
The inside/underground aspect of the tour then started in earnest with a talk on the various instruments of torture that adorned the walls in the first room. This was interesting although did feel out of keeping with what the locus was used for historically. However, it was delivered superbly and was highly entertaining and informative and in keeping with the creepier aspect of how the tour was marketed.
Following this we entered into the vaults in earnest and entered into a corridor where the more supernatural and spookier aspects of the tour came to the fore, of which I won’t provide spoilers but if coven, cults, ghosts, stone circles, banshees and Kurt Cobain are your thing then you will not come away disappointed. The vaults portion of the tour flew by until it was time leave them behind and go back to civilisation.
As someone who considers themself to be sensitive to the paranormal I can confirm that I did experience some things down in the vaults both sensory and through feelings (corner of the eye phenomenon, gusts of unexplainable air, and a face appearing to materialise in front of me in pitch blackness). If you open yourself up to your surroundings and go in with an open mind the residents of the Edinburgh of yesteryear won’t be long in coming to make themselves known to you.
James thank you for a highly entertaining, informative, affirming if you’re a spiritual type and over all just enjoyable tour.
Five stars and then some I hope this review renders my curse lifted ;)