underground walking tour of edinburgh

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Historic Underground Tour in Edinburgh

Get exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh. Built in the 18th century beneath South Bridge, we’re the only walking tour company with access.

Beneath the bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town you’ll discover a dark, damp world unchanged since the 18th century. Your expert guide will lead you deep into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and together you’ll explore their history – including how they became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.

Want to see Edinburgh’s darkest secret? Descend into the vaults, exclusive to Mercat Tours.

It’s a story rooted in Edinburgh’s Georgian past – grand feats of engineering, the expansion of the city, and those who were left behind in its darker corners.

But why were the vaults built? And who used them? Save your questions for your Mercat tour guide, a masterful storyteller who will bring the history of the vaults to life – and talk you through some of the artefacts that have survived.

Your walking tour will end in our Discovery Room complete with 3D model and artefacts.

Dates & times Daily: 12:00, 14:00, 16:00

Tickets are always limited. Book online in advance for the best ticket price.

Duration 1 hours 15 minutes

Tour location Start point: Mercat Cross, High Street End point: Blair Street Underground Vaults, Blair Street, off Hunter’s Square

Travel Time:

Cafe St Honorė

Edinburgh & Lothian

Nelson Monument

Union of genius, novapizza vegetarian kitchen, hendersons salad table, hula juice bar, pomegranate express, city observatory, travellers journeys nearby, exploring edinburgh in the haar, a stroll around dean village, a day trip to fife's east neuk, the mighty red squirrel, exploring the glasshouses at glasgow botanic gardens, local inspiration, from fields to form: an insightful conversation with basketmaker anna liebmann, cultivating scottish willow and crafting timeless baskets, blooming beauty: seilich skincare’s wild journey from scottish meadows to radiant skin, inside albys: edinburgh’s sandwich shop success story, agnes randolph and the siege of dunbar castle, edinburgh castle and the black dinner, a prince’s murder at falkland palace, meet sara, owner of castaway, best picnic spots in edinburgh, secret gardens in edinburgh’s city centre, the best restaurant in scotland named in national awards, edinburgh’s lesser-known museums, a daring escape from dalkeith palace, a royal warning at linlithgow palace, a slow travel guide to culross, meet stephanie lothian, co-owner of williamstone farm steadings, april in edinburgh, meet illustrator emily hogarth, the scottish seawolf of culross, march in edinburgh, crawford priory’s ghostly menagerie, the defence of dunbar castle, explore the world’s first digital unesco trail, february in edinburgh, january in edinburgh, december in edinburgh, doom & gloom at castle campbel, november in edinburgh, win an overnight stay at dunstane houses in edinburgh, fife’s hidden gems, october in edinburgh, the secrets buried in roslin glen, the murderous craigmillar bond, old edinburgh’s unlikely criminal, lochend park, newhailes house, the jacobite garrison of the bass rock, the 16 best castles to visit near edinburgh, corstorphine walled garden, tantallon castle and the 1st earl of douglas, jupiter artland, meet laura wilson, owner of the dundonald guesthouse and cottage, melrose abbey and robert the bruce’s heart, thomas randolph and the capture of edinburgh castle, st monans church, edinburgh hotels, the coastal villages of fife, duddingston village, the great hall in the scottish national portrait gallery, dunbar’s close, the stockbridge duck race, the meadows, the national museum of scotland, 5 surprising facts about stockbridge, how edinburgh changed the world: the scottish enlightenment, getting to edinburgh, the stockbridge colonies, dean village: a peaceful oasis on the doorstep of the city, the history of edinburgh’s stockbridge, why is edinburgh called ‘the athens of the north’, the history of the new town, the history of edinburgh’s old town, the creation of victoria street, 5 surprising facts about the grassmarket, the last hanging, the history of the grassmarket.

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"History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling"

Discover more with #mercattours

• Popular Searches
• Ghostly Underground

Historic Underground

• Hidden & Haunted

Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls

• Doomed, Dead & Buried

Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Mercat tour

• History Walks /
• Get exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the city’s oldest, deepest vaults
• Discover the history of day-to-day life in Old Town Edinburgh’s wynds and closes, as well as in the vaults
• See authentic 19th Century artefacts found in the vaults
• Visit our Discovery Room, with 3D models and displays
• Mercat exclusive audio devices - be immersed and get lost in the stories...
• Choosing Mercat is ' Good for you, Good for Edinburgh ' - our team, community and planet

About this tour

Edinburgh vaults.

Get exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh. Built in the 18th Century beneath South Bridge, we’re the only walking tour company with access.

Beneath the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ll discover a dark, damp world that has remained unchanged since the 18th Century. Your expert Storyteller will lead you deep into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and together you’ll explore its perfectly preserved history – including how it became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.  

Underground tours

Want to see Edinburgh’s darkest secret? Descend into the vaults, exclusive to Mercat Tours.

It’s a story rooted in Edinburgh’s Georgian past – grand feats of engineering, the expansion of the city, and those who were left behind in its darker corners. But why were the vaults built? And who used them?

All your questions will be answered throughout the duration of our Historic Underground tour, where our award-winning storytellers bring the history of the vaults to life.

Customer review

"very interesting, learnt a lot about edinburgh history and how the vaults came about, also how they were used.", book ticket, please select a date and time, tour details, dates & times.

Daily; morning & afternoon Private group bookings

Reconnect with friends and family on a tour just for you. Book online now, or we're happy to help on email [email protected]

Donate to help us reconnect vulnerable communities through storytelling - learn more about  Our Stories, Your City .

• Everyone has a warm welcome from us;
• Local Edinburgh residents eligible for concession rates (EH postcodes)
• Complimentary tickets are available for carers, to book call us on 0131 225 5445 .
• Read how we include you  here
• See our  Euan's Guide Review s.
• Language: English. Learn more on our FAQs
• 1 hours 15 minutes

Tour location

• Start point: Mercat Cross, High Street
• End point: Blair Street Underground Vaults, Blair Street, off Hunter's Square

Need help booking?

Get in touch with us and one of our experts will be able to give you advice on our tours.

• +44 (0)131 225 5445
• [email protected]
• WhatsApp: 07500139575

Other tours you might like

Stories of blood, guts & gore in the Old Town, then a whisky or soft-drink in a candlelit cellar to warm the heart.

Evening. Ages 5+.

The perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital – and fastpass skip-the-line entry at Edinburgh Castle (optional extra).

Morning/Afternoon

Souvenir Guidebooks

Don’t forget to buy a Mercat Tours souvenir guidebook with your ticket.

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Looking up along the Niddry Street Vaults corridor

Niddry Street Vaults, Edinburgh

The Vaults Tour

Join this tour in Edinburgh and visit the vaults beneath Old Town, dating back to the early 18th century. Your costumed guide will tell you about murders, the persecution of witches and the people who inhabited this scary place.

This vaults tour takes you beneath the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town into a dimly lit space that many considered to be haunted. Your 1-hour tour visits the vaults of the South Bridge that date back to the 1700s. These are the same vaults mentioned on Most Haunted Live as one of the scariest places on earth.

Learn how the vaults been used over the years, and the living conditions endured by the poor and homeless residents who frequented them. The darker side of Edinburgh's history will unfold as you wander through the candle-lit underground area.

From your costumed guide, you'll hear about the Burke and Hare murders and the persecution of witches. Discover the characters who stalked the streets of Edinburgh, and the paranormal stories associated with the vaults.

From £20 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (0131) 5574700
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Small Group (1-16)
• Ghosts and Supernatural

Tour prices

From £20 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour gallery

Tour company information

Auld reekie tours.

Auld Reekie Tours was formed in 1995. Since then we have been offering a wide range of underground and graveyard tours to visitors from all over the world. We are the only tour company that owns its own vaults, having exclusive use of them. Apart from lighting, our vaults have remained mostly unchanged since they were built in the 1700s.

Social Channels

Visit Auld Reekie Tours

Opening times

Everyday 10:00 - 22:00 Please see website for current covid-19 opening hours

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The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

Auld Reekie Tours

We offer tours through edinburgh’s most extensive set of vaults & are the only ghost & history tours company with authentic links to witchcraft..

Christmas & Hogmanay Opening times

Christmas Edinburgh Vaults Hogmanay Opening Hours South Bridge Vaults Winter Solstice Yule

Friday 24th November

E-gift vouchers for your loved ones.

Christmas Edinburgh Vaults Gift Gift Voucher South Bridge Vaults Winter Solstice Yule

NOW HIRING – We are looking for actors and actresses to deliver Magical Potter, history & ghost tours

Special Offer Tickets – 4 PEOPLE FOR £70 on all regular public tours *

Magical Potter Tour

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

£10 per person, £32 for 4 people

The Vaults Tour

Not suitable for under 5s

£20 per person, £70 for 4 people

The Vaults & Graveyard Tour

Not suitable for under 12s

£24 per person, £70 for 4 people

The Terror Tour

Strictly over 18s only

Daily from Friday 22nd March

Haunted Vaults Tour

Until Thursday 21st March 2024.

Halloween Fright Night Tour

30th & 31st October

£35 per person (*excludes special offer ticket)

Auld Reekie Tours e-gift voucher

Hire Our Vaults Overnight

Our vaults are now available to hire overnight for investigations, ghost hunts and film locations. Maximum 35 people and proof of public liability insurance required.

TIMES: 00:00 – 06:00

“We had a fantastic time on our tour. Our guide was knowledgable and very funny. The tour was very informative and something different to do. We certainly recommend.”

“We did the underground vaults tour and we thought it was amazing. Was great to walk down the Royal Mile and learn some gruesome facts about the way these people used to live. Seeing the torture devices was also extremely interesting. I definitely recommend this tour!”

“A really good time, got to learn some history of the city I didn’t know and while I didn’t have any spooky experiences it was still eerie in the vaults. Tour guide was charismatic and entertaining.”

“Some great information on the history of Edinburgh and the locations toured. It was interesting to hear the spooky stories behind even the most unassuming of streets. The access to the vaults was also enjoyable. I would recommend going at night for extra fun.”

“Very awesome experience if you like dark history. The tour makes you see some easy to overlook landmarks/monuments, that have macabre stories behind them.

Entering the vaults gives you a little taste of how the less fortunate people used to “live”, if you can even call it that.”

IMPORTANT: We don’t take bookings at the tour start, please make sure to book in advance online or visit our office at 45 Niddry Street.

Have questions?

Office Opening Times: Daily 10:00 – 17:00

0131 557 4700

[email protected]

Join our special MEDICAL HISTORY TOURS only on SATURDAYS

Click here to book.

STEP DOWN INTO EDINBURGH'S HIDDEN HISTORY

Journey Back In Time

Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.

FIND OUT MORE

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Every Saturday,  uncover the secrets of 17 th -century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott. Examine his patients using his favourite method… by analysing urine’s colour, smell and TASTE! ALL your senses will be required as you examine patients’ samples and create your own herbal cure.

Free Audio Guides

If you require translation, we offer free audio guides via our mobile app in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish and Hungarian. To find out more click here .

Find out more

Book a private tour.

Enjoy your very own Private Tour of The Real Mary King’s Close for you and up to 19 additional guests. Located in the heart of   Edinburgh’s Old Town , your guests will go on a journey through time on these now hidden streets where they will uncover some of the city’s deepest secrets. 

Read the Mary King’s Close Blog

The Real Mary King’s Close Blog is where you can gain a deeper understanding of Scotland’s turbulent history and beyond. Read fascinating tales, researched by our team, and find out more about our  newest tours , collaborations, charity efforts and special events.

Read the blog

Explore uniquely preserved streets....

Journey back in time and follow in the footsteps of former residents. Step down and explore the rooms, streets and spaces underneath the famous Royal Mile - a unique glimpse into the city's past, and Edinburgh's only preserved 17th century street.

EXPLORE UNDERGROUND

Meet The Residents

Experience over 400 years of history, and discover the stories of your character guide. From myths and legends, to the deadly plague epidemic and a famous royal visitor – there’s a myriad of tales just waiting to be told on this one hour guided tour.

Find Us On The Royal Mile

A ten minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, across from the magnificent St Giles Cathedral.

Use postcode: EH1 1PG

Browse a beautiful range of hand-crafted and locally sourced gifts, homeware and souvenirs. All items are handmade by local artisans or sourced from the best of Scotland’s rich produce and craftsmanship.

Coffee House

The unique setting of Edinburgh’s historic Burgh Courtroom is home to The Royal Exchange Coffee house. Enjoy locally roasted coffee by Brodies, S. Luca ice cream and a range of deliciously baked cakes and snacks.

Mary King's Blog

Interview with ross macrae, iconic mary king’s close residents’ forgotten gravestone restored by volunteers, newsletter signup.

Be the first to hear about our special events and latest news.

The Real Mary King’s Close 2 Warriston’s Close High Street Edinburgh EH1 1PG

Privacy Overview

Underground Ghost Tours, History Tours, & Walking Tours in Edinburgh.

Experience the underground horror in edinburgh.

Our entertaining and professional ghost guides will lead you on a walking tour through Edinburgh’s hidden wynds and secret courtyards.

Come with us and explore the secrets of the underground beneath Edinburgh’s streets whilst hearing some of Scotland’s darkest stories, the curious, the uncanny and the terrifying.

Every City is full of secrets, Edinburgh is no exception.

Dare you descend?

• Most Popular
• Hour Glass 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
• Tags Ages 5+

World Famous Underground Ghost Tour @ 18:10; 18:45; 19:45

Edinburgh is undoubtedly the most haunted city in the world! are you ready to find out why? Let one of Edinburgh most infamous sons or daughters lead you round the dark side of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

• Tags Ages 18+

Extreme Paranormal Ghost Tour Edinburgh @ 21:15

For the hardened Ghost hunter, or the non-believer, this late night walking ghost tour is not for the faint-hearted! Explore the mysterious Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery and more at night.

Tour of Terror @ 20:45

Shiver at the weird noises… on this 75 minute guided ghost tour into Edinburgh’s extremely dark past, haunted streets, and winding wynds.

• Hour Glass 1 Hour

Old Town & Underground Ghost Tour @ 13:15; 15:15; 17:15

The Old Town & Underground Ghost Tour will then take you on a guided tour of Edinburgh’s underground vaults, for close encounters with the paranormal!

• Hour Glass 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

Old Town & Underground Historical Ghost Tour @ 11:00; 14:15

Join a local historian on our historical walking tour around Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Learn about Edinburgh’s fascinating history, literature heroes, infamous criminals and battles that shaped our city.

• Hour Glass 1 Hora y 15 Minutos
• Tags Edades 5 +

EL TOUR DE FANTASMAS Y LAS BÓVEDAS SUBTERRÁNEAS @ 20:15

Serán conducidos por el pasado oscuro de Edimburgo y sus alrededores incluyendo el cementerio más encantado del mundo.

• Hour Glass 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

Original Whisky Tasting Experience @ 13:00; (17:00 in August)

The ultimate whisky tasting in the birthplace of Scotland’s national anthem. Enjoy 3 distinct whisky’s and learn the true history of Scottish whisky on this walking tour.

Charles Dickens Edinburgh Literary Tour

Delve into Edinburgh’s literary legacy with a tour tracing the paths of renowned writers like Dickens and Stevenson, including a visit to the alleged grave of a legendary fictional character.

Private Tours in English, Spanish, French & German

Daily ghost walk and historical tours are available for private booking with additional tours available on request only. Customize your groups walking tour of Edinburgh today!

AWARDS & REVIEWS

Tour was amazing and soldier jock didn't let them down. Lovely guy and done an amazing job. Had to deal with an unusual situation and he done it professionally

A perfect spooky treat for the family just before Halloween!! our tour guide was brilliant! she was very enthusiastic and got all the group joining in. Will definitely do it again!

Our guide was amazing. They went by the name James Barry. When we come back, we are definitely going to take the tour again and would love it if James could be our guide again. Lovely service. Amazing body language while telling stories. Well done.

Fantastically fun and spectacularly spooky evening walk full of historical stories and ghost tales with tour guide Soldier Jock who was very engaging, interesting yet friendly - ish! Would highly recommend

We was lucky enough to have Dr. Knox as our guide. He was fantastic. Made sure he spoke to everyone on the tour individually. Made fun of everyone. His storytelling and humour was just perfect. The tour was fascinating especially the underground bit at the end.

We went on the night tour with Soldier Jock, and what a brilliant time we had! Jock was informative and captivating with his stories, and there was a great blend of humour and horror on the tour. It was so interesting seeing a side of Edinburgh that's a lot darker than you first expect. Definitely recommended - thanks again, Soldier Jock!