- Tours normally include: Guides in eerie costumes who lead you through the city’s darkest trails while sharing stories of witch trials, murders, and riots.
- Starting point: Most Edinburgh ghost tours begin in the Old Town, with common meeting points along the Royal Mile and near the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard.
- Annual visitors: It is estimated that over 100,000 visitors take part in Edinburgh’s ghost tours each year.
- Sights covered: These tours unlock places most solo visitors never see, from hidden closes, sealed kirkyards, including Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of the world’s most haunted graveyards, and the ghost-filled halls of Edinburgh Castle.
- Whisky and wine tastings: Some tours end underground in centuries-old cellars like Megget’s, where ghostly stories continue by candlelight over whisky or wine.
Why are Edinburgh ghost tours a must-visit?
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Enthralling storytelling
Many guides are trained storytellers or historians, often appearing in period costume, bringing raw and centuries-old tales vividly to life, ensuring that both sceptics and believers are captivated throughout.
Unique access
Tours take you into “forbidden” places such as locked kirkyards, underground closes, and the sealed vaults beneath South Bridge, areas not accessible to solo travellers.
Theatrical experiences
Props, sound effects, and live actors heighten the tension, making the dark tales of murder, plague, and restless spirits feel startlingly real. Expect live re-enactments, sudden appearances, or unsettling effects that make the experience unforgettable.
Dingy settings
The narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Town, flickering lanterns, and night-time chills provide a natural stage for ghostly encounters.
Centuries-old tales
Every story is rooted in real events, from witch trials to prison riots, giving visitors both shivers and genuine insight into Edinburgh’s turbulent past.
Whisky or wine tastings
Some tours end in centuries-old cellars where guests are offered whisky or wine as chilling stories continue, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
Spirits observed
Several visitors have reported sightings of spirits and other paranormal phenomena. Some common ones are Mr. Boots (The Watcher), The Mackenzie Poltergeist and some residual spirits that include a spirit pacing on the ceiling or the sensation of feathers brushing past visitors.
