AFTER DARK · DARK HISTORY TOURS IN EDINBURGH
The 9 best dark history tours in Edinburgh you can book tonight, with what each costs, how long it runs and how much walking it involves. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a live English, German, or French guide. Hear about Burke and Hare, witch trials, the Black Death, Scottish faeries, and haunted graveyards including Canongate Kirkyard and Old Calton Cemetery.
“Loved Tommy the guide’s enthusiasm and his story telling Took my grandson he really enjoyed it”
Follow an English-speaking guide from the Royal Mile through Edinburgh’s dark past, with tales of Burke and Hare, witch trials, grave robbing, murders, and Canongate Kirkyard. Guides such as G, Niamh, Alasdair, and James Stewart are known for lively storytelling, humor, and useful city tips.
“hidden places, nice little tales, ironical coty facts… just great”
Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with guides such as Robert, Joe, James, Kieran, Lydia, or Chris, hearing true stories of executions, plague, crime, body snatching, and old burial grounds. This is a history-led walk, not a ghost tour, with plenty of atmosphere and some grisly detail.
“A historical walk through Edinburgh's past, learning about how they took law and order to a very dark and disturbing level. James was a very knowledgeable guide to the twisted, torturous past lurking around every corner of the old town.”
Walk from St. Giles Cathedral through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Canongate with an English-speaking guide. Expect factual stories of murder, witchcraft, plague, executions, crime, and ghost lore, plus overlooked details at Canongate Graveyard. Guides include James, Robert, Lydia, Joe, and Kieran.
“A very captivating and thorough tour, with cute and gory details abour Edinburgh's history. We walked the Royal Mile with Kieran who is a fantastic person and a great guide - he was equal parts funny and knowledgeable. One of the highlights of our visit for sure!”
Join Rob for a 90-minute English walking tour from the National Museum of Scotland through Greyfriars, Grassmarket, Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile. Hear stories of witches, criminals, plague, executions, and ghosts, with a digital guide in French, Spanish, or Italian.
“Excellent. I had the best time on this tour learning all about the dark side of Edinburgh as well as so many historical and local information. Rob the guide was really fantastic and easy to follow and relatable. I can’t recommend this tour enough. Well worth it, book now!”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a live guide in English, Spanish, German, or Italian. Hear about witches, faeries, the Black Death, and Burke and Hare while visiting Old Calton Cemetery and Canongate Kirkyard. Guide Serena has been praised for lively, thoughtful storytelling.
Follow Madam McKinnon or William Burke through Edinburgh’s Old Town as they tell grim tales of witches, murderers, body snatchers, and prison life. This two-hour, English-language walk visits Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Old Tollbooth area in a small group of up to 10.
“Excellente visite ! Même sous la pluie le charme est magique . Il y a très peu de marche à pied donc convient au plus grand nombre.”
Join paranormal investigator and storyteller Kieran for a two-hour evening walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Hear grim tales at St Giles’ Cathedral, Mercat Cross, Victoria Street, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars Kirkyard, with a maximum group of 18.
“I got everything I was looking for in a Dark History & Ghost tour, and 10 times more! Kieran is a super guy. His storytelling is immersive, compelling, suspenseful, yet never over-the-top. He does not shy away from the grisly details of tortures, puRead more”
Follow a private guide from St Giles’ Cathedral to Canongate Kirk for 90 minutes of eerie Edinburgh history. Hear about the Heart of Midlothian, public punishment, disease, the Netherbow, and resurrection traditions. The tone can be mildly spooky or seriously disturbing, and German-language guiding is available with Stephanie.
“Definitely book it, the guide explained everything in a very interesting, funny, and confident way. We laughed a lot and now know so much about the history of Edinburgh. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it a 100.”
A walk, a graveyard, a crawl or a full investigation.
