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Dark History and Ghost Tour of Edinburgh

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Edinburgh, Scotland
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

With a history spanning almost a millennium, Edinburgh’s streets and buildings have seen more than a few dark and spooky goings-on over the years. On this walking ghost tour, join a paranormal investigator for a visit to some of the city’s most haunted spots, all the while being regaled with tales of murder, mystery, intrigue, and spooky spirits.
  • Edinburgh dark history ghost tour
  • Learn the haunting tale of the last woman to be executed in Edinburgh
  • Visit the street that inspired Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter books
  • Hear about the gruesome historical practice of graverobbing

What's Included

  • 2 hour Walking Tour
  • Your guide is a genuine paranormal investigator
  • Dark ghostly tales by a professional Storyteller
  • Alcoholic Beverages
    We do not supply alcoholic beverages on this tour
  • Hotel Pickup or Drop off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • St Giles' Cathedral
    High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK

    Please arrive at the meeting spot 15 minutes before the start time. You should look out for a black and white umbrella with the Eerie Earth Tours logo on it, at the bottom of the stairs at the front of St Giles Cathedral.

End point

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh
    Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK

    This tour will finish inside Greyfriars Kirkyard, near the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. The tour guide will be around at the end of the tour to answer any questions or give any recommendations.

Operating hours
.6:00 pm

Itinerary

1

St Giles' Cathedral

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

Mercat Cross

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

3

Advocate's Close

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

4

Victoria Street

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

5

Grassmarket

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

6

Greyfriars

25 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Minimum age for this tour is 12 years old
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0
based on 52 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Excellent tour with a...

Oliver_C, Nov 2025
Excellent tour with a great guide. Fascinating stories about the history of the city and spooky tales of the paranormal that still haunt the streets today! 100% recommend!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for you lovely words and I am so happy you enjoyed your tour!

Scary, Gruesome and Fascinating - a Wonderfully Thrilling & Chilling Tour. Not to miss!!!

Sonia_D, Nov 2025
Kieran is a masterful storyteller and this tour was one of the most enjoyable I’ve been on! He combines a rich knowledge of the city with a keen ability to weave a chilling or gruesome tail. Doing this tour on Halloween night was an extra bonus. I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in history, the paranormal, or the spookier aspects of life!!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

That really means alot, I pride myself on being a good storyteller and I am so happy that comes across! I am so glad you enjoyed the Halloween tour!

Best tour in Edinburgh

Yannis_B, Nov 2025
Very intresting , friendly and likeable tour guide ! We spent Halloween’s evening discovering the history and myths of the city . An unforgetable experience that was both educating and fun :) Thank you so much again !

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for those really kind words I am so glad you enjoyed the very special Halloween Tour!

We absolutely loved our...

Kristen_S, Oct 2025
We absolutely loved our Dark History Tour in Edinburgh! It was a small group experience, which made it feel much more personal and engaging. Our guide was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the city’s history. He went out of his way to be kind and make sure everyone was comfortable. He answered all of our questions with patience and enthusiasm. We learned so much and had such a great time — highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Edinburgh!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for these very kind words. Was a pleasure to host you on this tour! We look forward to hosting you again in the future.

Trekking through Old Town

Sara_A, Oct 2025
Really great experience. He was so knowledgeable and engaging. Good mix of new and old information and perfect pace for someone with a bad knee.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your kind review and I am glad the pace was suitable for you. I always try and make the Tours as accessible as possible.

Eerie Stories

Denise_R, Sep 2025
The guide was passionate and knowledgeable. He was a great story teller and made the tour fun. I would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you so much for these kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour.

I missed the tour :-(

Lea_E, Sep 2025
I rated it 5 stars because I was a no show due to jet lag and I was in hotel asleep and missed it. :-(. Next time I am here!!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

It was a shame you missed the tour on this occasion and I do appreciate the review being left, next time your in Edinburgh, be sure to get in touch and we can arrange something for you!

Great first day tour

Jacob_T, Jun 2025
Kieran was an awesome guide. Though the tour travels through busy areas, Kieran took us to the quiet spots to tell the stories and envisage the storied past of Edinburgh. A keen mix of history and mystery that energized both my wife and I, after our long first day travels, had me asking a series of questions and considering all the possibilities about paranormal stories and where they come from. Thanks again to Kieran for an excellent time and know that I'll be looking to see what other experience offerings there may be in the future!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for leaving a review and thank you for your very kind words. It was a lot of fun to take you around Edinburgh and regale you with the dark tales of our city. I would be very happy to be able to host you again with Eerie Earth Tours.

Best tour guide

Linda_B, Jun 2025
Tour guide Kieran was awesome!! He was friendly took a couple of our concerns into consideration and very knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hello, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and thank you for your kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour!

A memorable experience, highly informative and exciting!

Elli_L, Oct 2024
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, public executions, hauntings, body snatchings, and sprinkles some lovely bits of gallows humour and sarcasm here and there. The stories are presented with careful attention to historic detail, and he gives an engaging, sensitive account of the political, religious and social dynamics of Scotland. He is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge, and was happy to answer my questions about ghost hunting and more. I felt so welcomed, had so much fun and I learned so much! 10000% recommend. Thanks for having me, Kieran!

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you Elli for your kind words, I am so glad that you enjoyed the tour and it was a pleasure hosting you and hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Edinburgh.

Unique guided tour of Edinburgh's creepy past

Kornelia_W, Nov 2025
A very exciting, entertaining and also a little creepy tour with a very ambitious narrator! We now see different parts of Edinburgh with completely different eyes and knowledge! Great stories! Thank you for an unforgettable and exciting evening !
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Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for you awesome review! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour!!

From $24.28

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 18 days in advance.

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