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Edinburgh Dark History Tour: Explore City's Murky Past and Notorious Figures
5.0
435 Ratings
Edinburgh
Uncover Edinburgh's dark and twisted past on a captivating tour. Discover the city's notorious figures, gruesome crimes, and chilling ghost stories. Prepare to be haunted!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Old Town - A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
- Heart of Midlothian - Former site of the Old Tollbooth, one of Edinburgh’s most notorious buildings. Hear about some of the characters once imprisoned and/or executed here, and why it ultimately became recognised by Sir Walter Scott as the Hard of the Midlothian.
- St Giles’ Cathedral - What seems like the car park hides a secret, as well as the burial place of one of the most controversial figures in Scottish history.
- Mercat Cross - Another infamous execution site. Hear about the importance of the building in the life of the city, and about a literal killing machine which was once kept inside St. Giles Cathedral.
- Royal Mile - Walk down the Royal Mile, where you’ll hear about some of Edinburgh’s notorious citizens, the Black Plague, and how the city’s poor sanitary conditions eventually led to a most peculiar tradition.
- John Knox House Museum - Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most “authentic” corners in the city centre.
- Canongate Kirk - Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.
What's Included
- In-person guide throughout the tour
Additional Information
Oh, the charm of Edinburgh! It’s not dubbed ‘The Jekyll & Hyde City’ without good reason. By daylight, it’s an upstanding character with outstanding construction and fascinating past. Yet, as night descends, it narrates a wholly different tale…
Discover the shadowy side of Edinburgh’s history: killers, robbers, flesh-eaters, executions and beheadings, sorcerers, the Pestilence, and rivers of human filth. Get to know the most infamous residents of Edinburgh and the origins of ghostly tales.
Don’t mistake this for a phantom tour: there’s no need for outfits or scare tactics, the Bleak Past of Edinburgh itself is haunting enough. And how we relish illuminating our guests with it…
Location
West Parliament Square
Find us across the square in Front of St. Giles Cathedral. Search for the white umbrella with the logo of All-Star Guides.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(435 Ratings)
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O4725yqmichellep
Jun 18, 2024
Interesting tour - Calum was a great tour guide, sharing a lot of information about the dark history of Edinburgh. It was a really interesting tour and he is a great story teller.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ritwikw
Jun 17, 2024
Brilliant Story Telling - Calum's story telling was brilliant, will recommend his tour! He did not hurry anyone, took all questions and added humour and his effects to make it more enterprising.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mcromulus
Jun 17, 2024
Fantastic tour! - Calum was fantastic guide! Great knowledge and passion for history. Lasted 2 hrs approx, great discovery of the Royal Mile. Recommending for sure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y4761snbriannab
Jun 17, 2024
Entertaining, with a great guide - We had an amazing time learning history and facts about Edinburgh through a dark/ gothic lens! I found myself grateful we had avoided the more theatrical ghost tours when Iona, our guide, recounted events and stories from the past that were intriguing without being exaggerated! She was awesome and a great source for information on the city. I would recommend doing this tour on your first day in Edinburgh, as it gives you so many ideas for things to do the next day!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew
Jun 17, 2024
Entertaining & informative. Iona was awesome - A walking tour on & around the royal mile but referencing sites and events from much further afield over the past 1000 years of Scotland’s history. Monarchy & rebellion, public executions, witch trials, the Black Death, bodysnatching and early sewage solutions were all mentioned. As the introduction stated, there really is no need for costumes and jump scares; Edinburgh’s darker history is gruesome & grisly enough! Our guide - Iona - was outstanding and genuine. I think if you cut her in half it would say Edinburgh on the inside. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meganbz8401tw
Jun 16, 2024
Informative, interesting, and funny - If you like your Dark History recounted with a bit of Dark Humour, this is the tour for you! Iona the guide was knowledgeable and funny, considering the frequently macabre subjects at hand. I’ve been here a week and had a sense of the local lore and history before taking this tour. But Iona’s lively tales — all about the dead! — really provided a rich context and background about what may have really happened, with lots of competing and interesting takes I’d not heard before. Go learn and have a (dark) laugh while you’re at it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eunice_c
Jun 11, 2024
Excellent ! - Very interesting visit. Iona (the guide) is a great storyteller and knows how to conjure the past with the right balance of horror and humour ! One of my favorites tour ever !
Review provided by Viator
Abigailjz4738tc
Jun 11, 2024
Iona is amazing! - Iona was our guide, she was absolutely amazing, incredibly educated and knowledgeable. She is an excellent and eloquent story teller and very entertaining.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber20361761407
Jun 10, 2024
10/10 Would do again! - Our tour guide Iona was amazing!! She was very informed and told her stories/facts well. She made sure to answer all our questions and even throw in jokes. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you can take it with Iona!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geoffrey_g
Jun 10, 2024
Wonderful tour - Loved the small group tour. Iona was a fantastic guide, relating so many stories in the alleyways, courtyards and cemeteries of the royal mile.
Review provided by Viator
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