mercat tours edinburgh underground vaults

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

A Mercat Tours Storyteller shines a torch on an arch for a tour group, in the Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh.

Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh

Mercat Tours - Historic Underground

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.

The walking tour takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, with time at the end in our Discovery Room – complete with 3D model and artefacts.

From £22 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• 44 (131) 2255445
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Hearing Loop

Tour information

• Edinburgh & The Lothians
• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Small Group (1-16)
• Outdoor Activities
• Walking/Hiking

Covid 19 Facilities

• Advance booking essential
• COVID-19 measures in place
• COVID-19 refund and cancellation policy in place
• COVID-19 risk assessment completed
• COVID-19 staff training completed
• Capacity limit
• Contactless payment only
• Face mask essential (not provided)
• Face masks required for staff in public areas
• Hand sanitiser available to visitors & staff
• Online booking only

Tour prices

From £22 Per Adult £17 Per Child £20 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Tour gallery

Tour company information

Mercat tours.

'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling' Join In! Enjoy immersive storytelling experiences as you explore Edinburgh's Old Town. Stories Connect You'll have a deep connection with the people & places of the past and build remarkable memories of Scotland's ancient & beautiful capital. Good for You, Good for Everyone Choosing us, a local, independent family business and Living Wage employer, means you support an ethical team rooted in our local community since 1985

Social Channels

Visit Mercat Tours

Opening times

Daily 9am to 10pm

Other tours from this company

Mercat Tours - Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls

Departs: Edinburgh - City Centre, Edinburgh, Edinburgh & The Lothians

A walking tour of the darker closes and wynds of Edinburgh, before journeying in...

Price from:

£25pp

Mercat Tours - Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

This walking tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital. The first s...

• Level Access

£24pp

Gory Stories: The Kids’ Tour

Tales of stinking streets, terrible tortures and ghostly goings-on. A daytime to...

£22pp

Mercat Tours - Ghostly Underground

A daytime walking tour of Edinburgh’s haunted vaults – and we’re the only people...

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.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

What Are The Edinburgh Underground Vaults?

Fey Arberk Bozoglu Last Updated: November 3, 2022

Edinburgh is home to ancient underground vaults that have been part of this city’s history for more than 200 years. These vaults carry symbolic, cultural, and historical value for not only Edinburgh but also Scotland. Both locals and tourists also visit and tour the Edinburgh Underground Vaults to get a greater understanding of the past of this city. From spooky journeys and illegal whiskey-making rooms, this article covers everything you need to know about the Edinburgh underground vaults.

What Exactly Are The Underground Vaults In Edinburgh?

I recently went on a tour of our very own underground vaults here in Edinburgh so I could share interesting facts and other information about this core attraction that’s still a living part of this historic city. The following information is gathered from my observations and from the excellent tour guide from Mercat Tours.

The first thing to know is that the Edinburgh underground vaults have a deeply embedded history which dates back to the 1780s, though some areas like King Mary’s Close date back further to the 17th century. Made up of 19 huge arches and numerous rooms and passageways, the underground vaults support the South Bridge of the city.

However, it’s crucial to explain the purpose for which these vaults were constructed, which is part of what we’ll cover in this article. Keep reading to learn the history, purpose, and current use of the Edinburgh underground vaults.

The History Of Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults:

Edinburgh’s underground vaults has been a part of the city for hundreds of years, and they played a fundamental role for the city. For example, the city constructed these vaults to expand the city outwards to the north and south to deal with the population problems within the city.

Overpopulation was a major problem, and vaults were seen as a solution to put the poor underground so the city could use more space. The subterranean caverns became like a second underground city — sometimes three- and four-storeys deep.

As a result, building these vaults was a way to solve the big problem of access to the areas in the north and south of Edinburgh. Additionally, these vaults have been used for different purposes including storage rooms, taverns, pubs, and more. Business tried to use them for storage under the business, but the conditions didn’t always favor food stores, so the area became a popular place for criminals and prostitutes.

Some of these vaults are still used today as nightclubs and even as a theatre. But most of the underground vaults are now outdated and in unusable condition due to misuse and age.

Here are the topics we’ll cover in this article:

• Why were the underground vaults built?
• Who built the vaults?
• What to see in the vaults
• The vaults today
• Spooky facts about the vaults
• How to get to the vaults
• Edinburgh underground vault tours

Why Were The Underground Vaults Built?

The 1700s was a period that brought change to Scotland and Edinburgh. As a result, constructing the Edinburgh vaults had many purposes in mind. For example, English invasion was a frequent threat since the two places were in constant conflict.

A solution to protect the citizens was to build the vaults and secure Edinburgh’s people safe underground. Also, building these vaults allowed the city have access to more land since some of the population lived underground.

The growing population was also a core problem in the city and vaults were thought to be a good solution. One main rationale for this was that the poor people had a chance to live cheaper with plenty of storage space. Although, the vaults smelled terribly and was rather dark, people made it work by adjusting the atmosphere with lamps and scents.

Additionally, constructing the vaults made room for the expansion of the city to the north and south. The underground city was perceived as a solution to creating access to areas of the city as well since they provided unity and space to move faster and easier. For example, using these vaults underground meant less traffic and faster movement compared to the streets above.

Who Built The Vaults?

Lord Provost, Sir James Hunter Blair was instrumental in creating the South Bridge, which is a large part of where these vaults are. However, there were many questions raised when the suggestion to build the vaults gained popularity. Citizens were concerned with whether the vaults would be safe, and if there was enough budget to build them.

Another concern stemmed from how the streets would be influenced by traffic. Although the South Bridge caused much frustration to the wealthy population, it opened in November 1776, after three years of construction.

However, problems emerged with these vaults, caused by rain and poor drainage, overpopulation, and sewage and poor hygiene, ultimately making the situation of the vaults to go from bad to worse until they were abandoned by the 1860s. Certainly, these problems paved the way for many to actively forget the very existence of the underground vaults.

Rediscovered in the 1980s by Norrie Rowan, the vaults became more of a tourist attraction, and some usable areas have been repurposed for current commercial use.

What to See in the Underground Vaults

Edinburgh’s vaults were mostly occupied by workers and the poor. Therefore, the vaults had different uses and structures that met their needs. The underground vaults consist of nine main rooms which include the kettle room, storage rooms, double-height room, tavern room, Niddry Street corridor, cobbler’s room, wine vault, the caretaker’s room, and the white room.

Although, nine rooms might not sound like a lot, these rooms were huge like their own underground city. Each vault had a special function and made it distinct.

The Nine Main Vaults

To keep people warm and cosy, the kettle room was formed with brick shelves and a stone fireplace for gathering together. However, the storage room had a different purpose to store goods and the valuables of people living there. The double-height room was part of the city’s commerce since the room was for workshops of craftsmen.

The tavern room was often filled with oysters, which were (and are) cheap and nutritious. They made up a major part of the diet of the poor during the 1700s. The tavern room also has crucial historical value for social and economic classes too. One reason is because, during the 1700s it was common for different classes to mix in dark cellars below taverns to drink and eat. The tavern room was always the place to go for great food and socializing.

Additionally, the Niddry Street corridor holds great importance for both the past and present people in the city, largely because these privately owned vaults are now utilised as pubs and clubs. Since the 1800s, these vaults have gained a notorious reputation due to their popularity and their criminal element that always lingers in dark, hidden areas of a city.

The cobbler’s room is one of the most active paranormal rooms due to the spirits left behind here. Although, the spirits are usually friendly, such as the shoemaker. But not all of them are as nice as others.

Edinburgh is famous for beer brewing, but in the 1700s, Scotland’s national drink was claret. Therefore, the wine vault held great value in the city for storing wine in the dark, cool vaults. Both the wine vault and the caretaker’s room were known for storing wine.

The remaining room was the white room vault. It’s still unknown what this room’s purpose was. Some say this room was for delivering goods into the vault since there’s a large window, but it’s anyone’s guess.

Planning a trip to Edinburgh? Make sure to check our list of the top things to do , our guide to Harry Potter stops , plus where to stay in Edinburgh !

The vaults today.

There has been no major reconstruction of the South Bridge, although the bridge has had a few structural problems due to its age. However, various changes have been made to the underground vaults of the South Bridge for use in today’s era. For instance, after the reconstruction, the vaults now house nightclubs, a theatre, and more.

With great care, electricity was also put into these vaults. But the chambers retain their original sense and character. Therefore, you can still feel the historical essence of the underground city in Edinburgh.

Spooky Facts About The Underground Vaults

Although the Edinburgh vaults are known for their historical significance, they’re also famous for their spooky and paranormal experiences. For instance, the caretaker’s room is an area of high paranormal activity where people have heard screaming, crying, and the moaning of children. But the caretaker’s room is not the only vault that holds ghostly incidents.

The spirits of the vaults have made themselves known in other areas tourists frequent. For example, some people have seen figures in the rooms when the rest of the vaults were empty. Also, some people have reported hearing footsteps when everyone else was standing quietly. Some people have also mentioned that they have felt changes in the atmosphere from one vault to another.

It’s likely that the spirits of these vaults are the restless souls of forgotten residents of the vault. To sum up, the vaults under the city of Edinburgh have displayed spooky and ghostly events and activities for tourists for years.

How To Get To The Underground Vaults

The Edinburgh underground vaults are easy to find from many parts of the city since it’s primarily located in Old Town. The vaults are also close to many transportation options which makes them centrally located.

All of the transportation options will direct you to the tours that are explained down below such as the Mercat Tours entrance. Also, the common transportation options will send you to Blair Street were all the fun is, such as the underground nightclubs and tour selections. To sum up, all the transportaion alternatives provide you to the same spot along the Blair Street underground vaults, so pick according to your budget and convenience.

There are frequent bus services which stop on Blair Street where the Edinburgh underground vaults are located. There are a few best and sensible routes to use for accessing this location. They are North Bridge, Perrymans, and First Bus. Also, you can use George IV Bridge, which is ideal.

I mostly recommend North Bridge and George IV Bridge because seating is easier to find. Visit Lothian Buses website for correct routes.

The nearest rail station is Edinburgh Waverley. This station is the quickest and best choice since it’s the closet to the vaults, and the distance to them is just a 5-10 minute walk.

Edinburgh’s trams are easy to access and are available every seven minutes from early morning until late at night. Also, the tram line runs from the Airport to York Place. However, the nearest tram stop to the vaults is St Andrew’s Square. Check Edinburgh Trams website for exact times and locations.

Taxi is another alternative to use when going to Blair Street vaults. Central taxis are a good option to use, but this won’t be the most affordable option.

There’s pay-and-display, on-street car parking available on Blair Street close to the vaults. Also, there is car parking present on the following streets: Cowgate, Blackfriars Street, and Chambers Street.

I don’t suggest coming with car since it’s hard to find a parking spot. However, if you prefer this route I advise you to park on Blair Street because it’s central and closest to the vaults.

Pro Tip: If you park on Blair Street, be aware that car parking is limited and only the left hand side of the street is available. I strongly suggest you come early and get a spot.

Underground Vault Tours

There are a few tour companies in Edinburgh that provide guided tours of the underground vaults. You can’t explore the Edinburgh vaults without a tour guide. I also fully suggest you take a guided tour to have the full experience and knowledge of the vaults. The best underground vault tour companies are Mercat Tours, City of Edinburgh Tours, and Auld Reekie Tours.

You can check out the kinds of tours they offer to choose what interests you most whether it’s vault history or something more specific like the Real Mary King’s Close where plague victims were known to be left for dead.

Mercat Tours:

Mercat Tours has a wide range of guided tours of the Edinburgh underground vaults which you can pick according to your preference. For example, if you want to have a spooky tour, then Mercat offers a Ghostly Underground tour. However, if you prefer historical tour that is more fact based, then you should try Historic Underground. Or book the Real King Mary’s Close tour to learn about the people who lived underground.

City of Edinburgh Tours:

Also, City of Edinburgh Tours has great underground vault tours. For instance, the Old Town and Underground Ghost Tours are all things spooky and paranormal fun. Similarly, the Extreme Paranormal Ghost Tour is recommended for ghost lovers and people seeking a scary adventure. Additionally, City of Edinburgh Tours offers historical tours where you can enjoy learning a more historical and interesting perspective.

Auld Reekie Tours:

Auld Reekie Tours provides guided tours from Late-Night tours to Ghostly tours and more. However, Auld Reekie Tours is based on scary, mystical, and ghostly tours rather than historical tours. As a result, I suggest picking this tour company if you want a spooky adventure and tour.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

Get to know the best areas to stay in Edinburgh. We’ve recommended our favorite hotels for those who love to stay in the busy city or out along the coast for more peaceful views of the sea.

About Fey Arberk Bozoglu

Fey loves travelling, researching, and writing about culture, food, art, and history. She also enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with her readers. Her expertise covers a wide range of topics such as music, food, art history, and more.

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Travel Guide
• In The Press

POLICY & TERMS

• Cancellation Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Mercat Tours

• See all photos

Small Group Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

Royal Mile Small Group Walking Tour - Optional Edinburgh Castle

Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour

Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget's Cellar

Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults Historical Walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MERCAT TOURS (Edinburgh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Edinburgh Vaults - Mercat Tours

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• Scotland    
• Edinburgh    
• Edinburgh - Things to Do    
• Mercat Tours

Edinburgh Vaults

Just returned from a months tour of Ireland and Scotland. While in Edinburgh we visited the Edinburgh Vaults and Mary Kings Close. Both were excellent in my opinion. I had seen both on Most Haunted here in Canada and when the opportunity arose to visit these locations I jumped at it. There seems to be 2 kind of tours you can take of the Vaults, one is a history tour, and the other is a ghost tour. Mistakingly, we went on the history tour, as I would've rather been on the ghost tour, but it may have been a blessing in disguise! There were only 4 tourists and the guide that went down to the vaults, which made the atmosphere just a bit more than spooky. Our guide told us the history of the area and the vaults and it was very interesting. I both heard things and had things appear on camera when I got home to view them that weren't there at the time. As we finished our tour and came out of the vaults we were asked to step aside from the doorway to allow the next tour down, which was the ghost tour and there seemed to be around 30 people on that tour, which may have lessened the eeriness of a tour with that many other people about. When I arrived back home, I re-watched the Most Haunted episode, and some of the noises they heard were exactly the same sounds we heard....spooky! We thoroughly enjoyed the tour we were on, but maybe have some heads up about which tour you would like to take when you visit.

I did the tour to the underground vaults underneath the south bridge here, and I found it a little embarassing. The emphasis is heavily on ghost stories and gruesome tales of executions and murder. I guess it sells- historic perspective and background facts probably don't. The vault itself was not very large, and so dark architectural details were hard to make out. It seems to have been some kind of storage facility in the past. Nothing very exiting, but it's easy enough to get the imagination going in a dark underground space and the guide did his best to milk the location by doing the flashlight-under-face and sudden scary noise tricks. It seemed a bit, well, cheap. Or maybe it's just me; I should have booked a different tour...

I went to the Haunted Underground Valuts (6pm 24th April 2005). Before I went, I had seen the Most Haunted programme about the valuts so had some idea of the different experiences down there. We were met by our guide, Gary, and taken to an area behind St Giles Cathedral where he managed to increase the tension significantly. The whole thing was made more real as he seemed like a normal chap - no dressing up and he promised that we would be down there without anyone in the upstairs offices. He also said that if anyone got too scared and wanted to leave, then he would take them up to the surface (leaving the rest of the group in there on their own). I won't spoil the experience by telling the stories of what went on in the valuts here - it is really something to experience them down in the valuts. But I suppose the real question is "did anything happen?" Well, I didn't see a ghost, but I heard things that I couldn't explain and caught things on my camera that I didn't see at the time. As to whether it is haunted, just go and make your own mind up!

I have just arrived back from edinburgh where I went on a couple of Mercat Tours tours of the underground in Edinburgh. I went to the vaults, which were really really scary - they were abandoned for over 200 years! Our guide was an excellent storyteller, though I can't remember her name. Definetely recommended! Also went on the royal mile walk, which wasn't one of their scary tours, but one of their daytime history walks... I never knew Edinburgh had such a fascinating history, that I simply would not have found out about had I not gone on this tour... Elizabeth was the guide... what a character! I don't think there was anything about Edinburgh that she did not know!

2 Best Edinburgh Vaults Tour Options

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 16/02/2024

Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities. It has so much history, so much character, and so much to do when you visit. I have now been there several times and there are always different things on offer.

This trip I decided to do something I had never done before – explore Edinburgh underground by taking the 2 most popular Edinburgh Vaults Tour Options.

⇒ Book Your Edinburgh historic vaults walking tour

Edinburgh as a city used to be literally just the royal mile area or what is now the Old Town Edinburgh. The city is built on hills so when it began to fill up the only way to accommodate people was to go up and down.

Streets known as Closes began to be filled with houses literally on top of each other. And thus began the creation of a city under Edinburgh.

As those who could afford it moved out of the centre of Edinburgh to the new town roads were built between the royal mile and the new town – literally over this populated underground city in Edinburgh Scotland.

To support the bridges arches were created underneath – which led to the creation of underground vaults and the Edinburgh underground streets which became the centre of life for many of the poor of the city .

⇒ Edinburgh is also home to some fantastic boutique hotels. Click here to find out some fantastic places to stay in Edinburgh .

• Edinburgh Vaults Tour – Lost and Then Found

Table of Contents

5 Ways to Explore Underground Edinburgh

1. edinburgh vaults ghost adventures tours, 2. edinburgh underground tour or edinburgh vaults tours, 3. pubs and/or a pub crawl, 4. private function, 5. edinburgh festival, edinburgh vaults tours, 1. mercat tours edinburgh, mercat tours edinburgh planning & logistics, 2. the real mary king’s close, mary king’s close tour planning & logistics, getting to edinburgh, edinburgh ghost tour, don’t miss when you’re in edinburgh, how to find the royal yacht britannia, the best place to stay – and eat – in edinburgh, who paid for what in this post.

Alas, disease broke out in the Edinburgh old city underground which led to an evacuation of this underground village Edinburgh and the vaults being sealed.

The underground hidden city Edinburgh was then forgotten – until a pub owner discovered a vault in the 1980s. The Edinburgh Scotland underground vaults were excavated and have now been turned into a major tourist activity as well as function rooms etc.

Underground Edinburgh is also renowned for apparently having many ghosts………….and now just as many Edinburgh ghost tours.

There are several ways to explore Edinburgh Underground City. The Edinburgh vaults have been essentially divided up amongst tour companies, tour guides, pubs and other interested organisations.

Most tour groups have some type of exclusivity around their vault – and I believe there are circa 120 vaults or rooms in the Edinburgh city underground.

There are 5 key ways to see the Edinburgh vaults depending on what time of year you are in Edinburgh:

The underground ghost tour is one of the best-known uses of the vaults. There are many stories of ghosts – and some dreadful stories around what life was like living in the Edinburgh vaults – and the fate of some of its inhabitants.

These Edinburgh tours underground are generally held as an evening tour – adds some atmosphere.

 ⇒ Edinburgh Ghost Tours

These are the subject of this post. The two best known are the Mercat and Mary King’s Close. Read further on for my reviews of both.

Several pubs in the centre of Edinburgh have vault rooms. These include the Banshee Labyrinth (apparently Scotland’s most haunted pub), The Jazz Bar or Cabaret Voltaire .

Or why not go on a pub crawl specifically designed to visit multiple pubs in Edinburgh with vault rooms in the one session?

The southbridge vaults of Edinburgh old have an area that hosts weddings, live music, private dining and the occasional club night. Check out the Unusual Venues Edinburgh website if this is of interest.

There are some fantastic UK City and Sightseeing passes which offer free entry to all must-see attractions & great deals.

The Edinburgh Festival is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world and is held every August. During this time the vaults that are currently used just for private functions, as well as several unused vaults, are turned into venues for Edinburgh Festival events.

Heading to Edinburgh for just one day? Make sure you don’t miss anything by reading this great One Day in Edinburgh Guide

Mercat Tours offer a range of ghost walk Edinburgh, 18th-century history and private tours of Edinburgh. One of their most well known, and the tour that I took, was the Historic Edinburgh Underground City Tour.

This tour has exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh.

⇒ Book your Edinburgh historic vaults walking tour

The ghostly underground vaults tour Edinburgh begins outside – at the Mercat Cross (see planning & logistics further down). I had a brilliant French guide. An unexpected nationality but she was fabulous and super knowledgeable.

She provides all of the backgrounds on what was happening in Scotland in the 18th century that led to the creation of the vaults. There are lots of fantastically gross and icky stories about Edinburgh Scotland .

After an overview overground we walked a short distance to the Blair Street Underground Vaults and headed for our underground vaults tour.

Mercat Tours have done a great job of keeping these ghostly underground vaults authentic. They are pretty much untouched and lit by candles. Only the most necessary safety measures have been put in when it comes to modernization.

The guide on this Edinburgh tour did a brilliant job bringing the era – and especially its smells – to life. I could almost hear the roaring of voices in the tavern vault – and smell the excessive amount of Claret being drunk.

⇒ Heading to London? Check out my posts on 13 Unusual Experiences in London , the best London Food Tours , my virtual London Travel Blog , some great Earlsfield restaurants , 14 Things to do in Notting Hill , restaurants near Clapham Junction and Victoria Station restaurants , 16 Famous Landmarks in Europe , a mad hatter afternoon tea party and a day trip to Brighton , 67 Fascinating Facts about London , 18 Landmarks of London from a local, 15 Places to see Sunsets in London , 9 Places to watch the Sunrise in London , 10 Bridges in London Not to Miss and Cotswolds tour from London options.

I had two favourite stories . One involved Judge Newton and his unique approach to contemplating judgments. The second is that for the first time I now actually understand what a body snatcher is and how that term came about.

I also realise that it was a fabulously lucrative occupation at the time. I won’t ruin your tour by telling you anything more…………..

The Mercat tour finishes in the Discovery Room which features a mix of different types of exhibits with various levels of interactivity.

I really enjoyed this Edinburgh south bridge vaults tour. The stories were enthralling and the telling was done particularly well. My only comment would be that it could be quite a bit to ask a kid to pay attention over this time duration.

I booked online the day before but if you are in Edinburgh during the summer – particularly August – I would suggest booking at least one week ahead.

November-March there are 2 tours a day : 2pm and 4pm April-October there are 4 tours a day : 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm The tour starts at The Mercat Cross which is in front of St Giles Cathedral and literally just off the Royal Mile.

About Mercat – this tour company was started by a history teacher which makes a lot of sense after you have completed the tour. Tours are conducted in English.

⇒ Click here for a Mercat tours promo code .

The tour finishes not far away at the Blair Street Underground Vaults . The tour runs for about one hour and 15 minutes

The Real Mary King’s Close is perhaps the most famous Edinburgh underground Tour. The Real Mary King’s Close tour is quite a different type of tour to the Mercat Tour. It is far more interactive and theatrical.

A key thing to know: You cannot take photos on this tour (you can on the Mercat Tour)

Your Mary Kings Close tour will be led by a character guide who has been based on a real person who lived in Edinburgh’s Closes in the 17th century – it could be the maid, the merchant, the plague cleaner or the doctor.

He or she will be dressed in keeping with the time and provide their own perspective on the goings-on in the close. You will move through different rooms and areas within the close and see recreations.

These vary from rather realistic-looking miserable statues of people in bed with the plague to some pretty cool video projection within mirrors.

This tour very much brings the time to life and has some memorable moments. If you are taking the tour with your family  (kids 5 years and over can go on the tour),

I would definitely recommend the Mary King’s Close tour ahead of Mercat. However, the Mercat Tour offers a more in-depth understanding of the time of the vaults, how life in the vaults worked and why life in the vaults ended.

As above, I booked online the day before but if you are in Edinburgh during the summer – particularly August – I would suggest booking at least one week ahead.

Mary King’s Close is open every day apart from Christmas Days, with tours tending to run every 15 minutes.

Opening Hours are: December-March Sun-Thu: 10am-5pm Fri-Sat: 10am-9pm April-October Mon-Sun: 10am-9pm November Sun: 930am – 6:30pm Mon-Thu: 9am – 5:30pm Fri-Sat: 9:30am – 9:00pm

Mary King’s Close is located on the Royal Mile – next door to the City Chambers and opposite St Giles’ Cathedral – literally steps away from the Mercat Cross where the Mercat tour meets.

Top Tip: If you are really interested in Underground Edinburgh it is quite easy to do both tours virtually in a row – which is what I did. They are very different experiences and I am quite glad that I did both.

If I had of had more time I also would have probably added in an underground vaults pub tour.

Hmm, I am starting to wonder if I have a bit of an underground infatuation???? And check out Auld Reekie Tours for some more Edinburgh ghost tours and some that also include the Edinburgh vaults stone circle.

⇒ Flights to Edinburgh

A quick and cheap way to get from the airport to the centre of Edinburgh is to take Edinburgh Airport to City Centre Bus Transfer

If the Edinburgh Vaults Tour has left you wanting more you might enjoy taking one of Edinburgh’s ghost tours. Hop on the Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh and you’ll get a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh as well as some amusing ghostly tales.

Keep up the perky mood with a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeon. Buy your  Edinburgh dungeon ticket here.

I must confess the only thing I knew about the   Royal Yacht Britannia before I visited was what I had seen of it in The Crown. However, this produced enough interest for me (as tv tends to do!) to get me to visit.

I am so glad that I did. Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia is a very unique and special experience.

⇒ South West Scotland is absolutely beautiful – and a bit warmer than the rest of the country! Get inspired by reading my posts on things to do in Ayrshire and in Dumfries and Galloway . 

I started my visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia with afternoon tea. Many choose to end with this but I was starving so I kicked off by enjoying some delicious sandwiches and even more delicious scones in the lovely lovely tea room.

The tea room has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water which is just lovely. And then on to the Royal Yacht tour.

You will receive an audio guide which is particularly well done. They have really got that balance between too much and too little information correct.

After taking the tour I really felt like I had a sense of what life was like on the Royal Yacht Britannia. I most enjoyed being able to see and in some cases walk through the private areas of the royal family.

It felt so special being, in one case, in a room where most of the major players of the 20 th century had visited at least once.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is located as part of the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in the Leith area of Edinburgh. If you are driving there is free parking in the shopping centre and it is very well signed.

Once you’ve parked head into the shopping centre and follow the directions.

⇒ Book Your Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

I rather fell in love with 21212 – a restaurant with Rooms! 21212 is a wonderful boutique hotel in a wonderfully central yet quiet part of Edinburgh.

The hotel is literally 4 rooms. Oh, but what rooms they are! Wonderfully stylish, incredibly comfortable, beautifully designed – I could wax lyrical for quite some time.

I even had a mini corner couch in my room at 21212 – love a corner couch – and such a comfortable bed. I slept incredibly well. And the sloe gin in the room was a particularly nice touch. The room was magnificent.

And then there was the food at 21212. Wow wow wow! The restaurant is named 21212 because of the structure of the menu. There are 3 choices for a starter. Then there is 1 soup. 3 Choices for main. 1 cheese. 3 choices for dessert. And an amuse-bouche to begin.

I started with the “Haggis it’s Risotto” which featured aubergine and onion. It was amazing. If haggis always tasted like this I would never stop eating it.

The soup sounded simple – spring vegetables. It was a taste sensation. It felt wrong to call it a soup as it was so much more flavourful and complex than any soup I have ever eaten.

I can’t resist a surf and turf on a menu so I had the Piatto a base di Carne Pesce as my main. The beef was just ridiculously good. My eyes closed involuntarily with each bite as I so so enjoyed it. And wow the scallops – amazing.

I then finished off with the “Ooh Bee Hive” (did I mention everything at 21212 Edinburgh has a fabulous name?) which featured honey, chocolate and mango.

And a tiny shot of banana smoothie which was multi-layered and really I don’t know exactly what it was but gosh it was so so so good.

21212 is a really special, wonderful, unique place to visit and I highly recommend at minimum eating here – but gosh so nice when you just have to walk up the stairs to go to bed – in a luxe super-stylish boutique hotel.

Top tip: Work off some of that Michelin star food with a walk up Calton Hill – it is literally less than 100 metres from the hotel to the start of the path. You will also be rewarded with stunning views over Edinburgh.

⇒ Read more reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

⇒ In the midst of planning your trip to Scotland? Check out my posts on Scotland Itinerary 7 D ays and Scotland Itinerary 10 Days

Luxury Scotland was kind enough to help me to plan my trip, organise my hire car, cover the costs of my hotels and most of my dinners and breakfasts. I paid for my flights and the tours in this post.

If you click through on most of the links in this post and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I just wanted to let you know.

READ NEXT: 9 BRILLIANT SCOTTISH SPA BREAKS

Related Posts:

Best Glasgow Tours

Best places to watch the sunset in Glasgow

Climbing Ben Nevis

Landmarks in the United Kingdom

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

This looks like so much fun! I love ghost tours and this would be an incredible experience. I really would love to do this with my husband.

Bindu Thomas

Monday 17th of December 2018

I am adding Eidenburgh in my travel list. This sounds interesting. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sunday 16th of December 2018

I would love to hear more stories about this vault but I aint that brave to be there physically. =)

The Boutique Adventurer

Aia I promise it is not scary! Promise!

Dalene Ekirapa

I'd love a ghost tour around the vaults in Edinburgh. I've always loved it spooky so definitely, some adventure around would be welcome.

Dalene there are lots of ghosts in Edinburgh and Scotland - it is that kind of place!

Anosa Malanga

Been here for a long time and I bet there are more changes since I last visited. Will definitely check this out and let me add it to my schedule on places that I must revisit.

Hi Anosa - yes I think they are regularly updating and improving the tours.

Like this post? Why Not Share It?

Thanks for Sharing!

The 16 Best Edinburgh Vaults Tour in 2024

Are you looking for the best Edinburgh vaults tour and unsure which one is for you?

Do you want to make your Edinburgh underground tour extra spooky with tales of ghosts and dark history? Or would you prefer a tour that only focuses on Edinburgh’s history?

Whether it is your first visit to Edinburgh’s underground vaults or your tenth visit – there is a tour made just for you!

Some tours include trips to a haunted graveyard, a tour that ends with a stiff drink at a local pub or a tour just for kids. This list will help you pick the best Edinburgh Vaults Tour for you.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please see my  Privacy Policy  for more information.

The 16 Best Edinburgh Underground Vaults Tours

Are You in a Rush? Here are the best tours!

Most Popular : Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Best Adult Only Tour : Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Best Small Group : Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults Historical Walk

History Only Edinburgh Vaults Tour (No Ghosts)

If you want to take an Edinburgh Vaults Tour without all the ghost stories, I recommend booking one of these two tours. Both of these tours offer small group vault tours as well.

1. History Walk: Historic Underground

If you want to take an Edinburgh vaults tour without the ghost stories, the History Walk Historic Underground tour is for you.

The Historic Underground tour takes you around Edinburgh’s Old Town as you learn about the day-to-day history that occurred right at the sites you visit. Next, you will visit the dark and damp Blair Street vaults that have remained unchanged since the 18 th century.

Your cloaked storyteller takes you deep into underground vaults, where you will witness the perfectly preserved history and how it became a breeding ground for some of Edinburgh’s most shady citizens.

I love the Edinburgh Vaults Tour because you can get up close and personal with the authentic 19th-century artifacts they found in the vaults.

Also, if you hate having to strain to hear tour guides on Edinburgh vault tours, Mercat Tours provides you with audio devices so you can listen to your guide loud and clear and won’t miss a word of the tour.

If you prefer to take this tour with a smaller group, they have a small group ghost tour for up to 18 guests. Book the small tour here:  Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults Historical Walk .

Book here: History Walk: Historic Underground

What you need to know

• There is a maximum of 30 guests on this tour (The small tour has a maximum of 18 guests)
• Book in advance so you don’t miss out because tours will book quickly!

2. Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

If you want to take an underground walking tour in Edinburgh without the paranormal aspect, take the  Old Town and Underground Historical Tour .

The tour guide is a historian (usually) who takes you around Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and talks about the history of Edinburgh’s famous writers, a criminal that inspired Jekyll & Hyde, and hidden Victorian gardens most tourists miss.

Next, walk through the historic Canongate Kirkyard, where you will learn about the unfortunate death of Mary Queen of Scots’ secretary, David Riccio.

The last stop is the Edinburgh underground vaults tour, with a stop inside the Niddry Wynd Vault, where you will learn about the dark history of the nearly 400-year-old chambered vaults.

The guides, especially Natalie and Ben, are enthusiastic, passionate, vibrant and knowledgeable about Edinburgh’s history. Edinburgh’s history is long and fascinating, made even more special when told by our enthusiastic and passionate guides.

The Old Town and Underground Historical Tour is a small tour with around six people max, but often there are more people on the tour.

Book here: Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

• The tour has between 6-30 guests

Adult Only Edinburgh Vault Tour

3. edinburgh: underground vaults & graveyard evening tour.

Are you looking for a frightening tour that takes you through Edinburgh’s most haunted locations, where you will hear stories about cannibals, body snatchers and ghosts? Look no further than the Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Graveyard Evening Tour .

The tour takes you through the Blair Street Underground Vaults and   the Canongate graveyard, where you will hear tales of the horror and hauntings that happened all over Edinburgh.  

The Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Graveyard Evening Tour begins with a dark walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town while being told stories about the criminals that used to roam the same streets you are walking along.

Next, enter the dimly lit Blair Street Underground Vaults, where the damp dark lingers, and you may feel a cool breeze or whisper in your ear. The vaults are lit by candlelight which makes the atmosphere feel even spookier as you are told about the spirits that still linger within the vaults.

But the tour doesn’t stop there! After the vaults, the tour heads to the Canongate Graveyard, where you will hear tales of cannibals, crime and ghosts as you visit the graves of some of Edinburgh’s most famous residents.

The tour guides are wonderful. They are animated, knowledgeable and full of information about Edinburgh’s spooky history. However, if you want a tour that takes you to the most haunted places with the best guides, you must take the Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Graveyard Evening Tour.

Small-Group Tours are Available

If you prefer to take this tour with a smaller group, they have a small group ghost tour for up to 18 guests. Book the small tour here:  Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults and Graveyard Ghost Tour .

Also, I have a full post about fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults if you want to visit places without children running around!

Book here:  Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Graveyard Evening Tour

• This is an adult-only tour

4. Hidden and Haunted Vaults Tour

The Hidden and Haunted Adults Only tour uncovers Edinburgh’s ominous history. The tour is one of Mercat Tour’s most graphic, gory and terrifying ghost tours.

This tour is for you if you want the scariest and spookiest tales straight out of Edinburgh’s Old Town and Blair Street vaults.

All the stories on the Hidden and Haunted Tour are true, making them even more chilling. Hear tales of treason and death and learn about the tormented spirits left behind in the dark of the most haunted vaults in Edinburgh.

The guides are brilliant, and their stories are just the right amount of spooky, humour and history. So if you want a night of fright you won’t soon forget, be sure to take the Hidden and Haunted Edinburgh vaults tour.

Book here: Hidden and Haunted

5. Edinburgh: Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour

Visit the hunting grounds of The Watcher with the Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour . The tour takes you to the world’s scariest place, deep under the streets of Edinburgh. This tour is perfect for people who want to get away from younger kids, as it is an adult-only tour.

The Terror Tour begins with a walk around Edinburgh’s Old Town, where you will learn the horrible history of some of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations. Next, you will stop at Auld Reekie’s Medieval Device Exhibit, which features gruesome devices used in the 16 th & 17 th centuries.

Then visit the atmospheric vaults where your guides regale you with tales of Edinburgh’s history with a spooky twist. You will stop by three to four vaults, including one with a stone circle that you should not step inside (PS. I stepped inside the stone circle, and I am still okay…I think.)

I recommend taking the Edinburgh vaults tour with Andrew or Frasier. They have the perfect mix of humour while telling some pretty ghastly stories. You will feel fully immersed and will be able to visualize the history as though you were living through it right now.

The tour gets progressively spookier as you get deeper into the vaults. Don’t worry if you can’t book with Andrew or Frasier. All of the guides at Auld Reekie are excellent storytellers and amazing tour guides! I just have my personal favourites.

Book here: Edinburgh: Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour

• There is a maximum of 32 guests on this tour
• This tour is for adults only

Edinburgh Vault Tours that include Alcohol

6. evening of ghosts and ghouls.

Do you want a night full of dark history, ghosts, ghouls and free whisky? Then, the Evening of Ghosts and Ghouls Edinburgh Vault Tour is the one to book!

Start with a walking tour through Edinburgh’s dimly lit closes, hearing gory tales of Edinburgh’s past before heading into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Mercat Tours’ expert storytellers will fill you with tales of blood, guts, gore and ghosts as you stand in the dark and extremely haunted underground vaults.

End the night with more spine-chilling ghost stories in the candlelit Megget’s Cellar, where you can lose yourself in some of the delicious Dewar’s Scotch Whisky. But, of course, if whisky isn’t your thing, you can opt for a soft drink of your choice (I highly recommend Irn Bru!) If you love whisky, I recommend taking one of the best whisky tours in Edinburgh .

If you prefer to take this tour with a smaller group, they have a small group ghost tour that includes a drink in Megget’s Cellar! Book the small tour here:  Small Group Ghost Tour in the Underground Vaults .

Book here: Evening of Ghosts and Ghouls

• The tour ends with a drink of whisky in Megget’s Cellar

7. City of the Dead’s Double Dead Tour

Want to take an Edinburgh underground Tour with a trip into the most haunted section in Greyfriars Kirkyard? City of the Dead’s Double Dead Tour is the only tour that takes you into the fenced-off Covenanters Prison, which is home to the Black Mausoleum.

After the graveyard tour, follow your tour guide into the atmospheric South Bridge Vaults, where you will hear tales about the ghosts that linger in and out of the vault’s stone walls.

I loved the tour guides, Ian and Grant. They were funny and knowledgeable, and there won’t be a moment where you are not laughing or learning about Edinburgh’s spooky history.

Worry not if you find the tour too scary, as it ends in a bar where you can drink your fears away!

Book here: City of the Dead’s Double Dead Tour

• There is a maximum of 36 guests on this tour

Edinburgh Underground Vault Tour & Old Town Tours

8. Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Auld Reekie Tours takes you deep under the streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile into one of the scariest places on earth with the Edinburgh Underground Vaults Tour . The tour features paranormal stories and a creepy medieval device exhibition where you will learn about witches and criminals that once inhabited the dark South Bride vaults.

The Underground Vaults Tour is one of Edinburgh’s best vault tours and begins with a walking tour through Old Town. Then the tour ventures through the dark, candle-lit underground and hear about Burke and Hare and the persecution of witches.

The Edinburgh haunted vaults known as the South Bridge Vaults are also home to the former witchcraft temple once used by a real coven and a stone circle with so much terrifying history you will not want to step inside.

The guides are incredible at making the tour as scary as possible while treating you to tales of gruesome drama and real historical facts that leave you wanting more. I highly recommend tour guides Anya, Fraser or Megan. They are all hilarious and knowledgeable and make the tour feel really spooky.

Just be aware that this tour isn’t for the faint of heart. Someone on my tour fell ill and fainted in the museum before even going down to the vaults!

Book here: Edinburgh Underground Vaults Tour

9. Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Do you want to go on one of the best ghost tours in Edinburgh ? If you love haunted and dark history, take the Haunted Vaults Walking Tour for a spooky evening. The tour contains paranormal stories and tales about the ghostly apparitions that haunt the vaults.

The Edinburgh underground ghost tour starts above ground in Edinburgh’s Old Town, where you will hear the haunted history of Edinburgh’s dark past.

The next step? Venture down into Edinburgh’s haunted vaults, once the breeding grounds for crime.

The Niddry Street Vaults have tales of paranormal activity and are still the haunting grounds of several creepy ghosts. Stick close to your tour guide to ensure you aren’t the target of one of the evil ghosts lurking in the shadows.

Speaking of guides – all of the tour guides at Auld Reekie are knowledgeable, lively, interactive and fill you with loads of dark history. The guides bring the experience to life, and the tour flows really well.

The Haunted Vaults Tour is the best Edinburgh Underground Vault Tour if you love ghosts. However, the Edinburgh underground tour is super scary, so if you are a bit skittish, this isn’t the tour for you.

Book here: Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Vault Tours that Visit Graveyards

Want to add a visit to a graveyard on your vault tour? Here are a few tours that include a visit to either Greyfriars Graveyard or Canongate Kirkyard.

The tours that include visits to graveyards do spend less time in the vaults than other tours, so just be aware when booking these tours.

If you want to take a tour inside the extremely haunted Covenanters Prison in Greyfriars book, the City of the Dead’s Double Dead Tour, which is included in the Edinburgh Vault Tours that include an Alcohol section.

10. Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

Want to visit the world’s most haunted graveyard to go alongside your haunted vaults tour in Edinburgh? If you want to double up on the haunted history in Edinburgh with the Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh .

The tour explores the haunted streets of Edinburgh, where you will hear stories about Edinburgh’s notorious criminals and ghosts. The Haunted Vaults and Graveyard tour visits Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you will learn about the dog who spent his life in the graveyard next to his deceased owner.

Explore the gothic mausoleums, including the one that belongs to the terrifying Mackenzie Poltergeist. Next, you will hear the horrors that took place at the Covenanters Prison just a few steps away. Be aware that this tour company doesn’t take you into the Covenanters Prison. Book this tour with the City of the Dead Tours if you want to visit the prison.

The last stop takes you into the South Bridge Edinburgh Underground Vaults. Here you will visit the former Hellfire Club and the vault possessed by an evil entity.

The tour moves quickly as there is more to see than the regular Haunted Vaults Tour , but the tour guides will wait for the tour group to catch up before diving into more haunted history so you won’t miss out.

The guides are fantastic, humorous and very knowledgeable. If you want to experience the dark side of Edinburgh, be sure to book this tour.

Book here: Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh

 11. Fright Night Tour

Take an Edinburgh Underground Tour with the City of Edinburgh Tours Fright Night Tour . What makes the Fright Night Tour one of Edinburgh’s best underground vault tours?  The tour guides.

All guides are dressed up based on someone in Edinburgh’s real gruesome history, including Dr. Knox, Agnes the Witch, the “Hangman,” and so many more.

The tour is loads of fun and is not too cheesy or theatrical if that isn’t your thing. The guides are excellent storytellers who bring the horrors of Edinburgh’s history to life with chronicles of ghosts.

The Fright Night Tour brings you to Edinburgh’s High Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the underground street Niddry Wynd, and South Bridge through the skylight from the vaults.

The underground tour of Edinburgh makes you feel like you are stepping back in time as you walk along the cobbled roads under the cover of darkness.

Book here: Fright Night Tour

• There is a maximum of 30 guests on this tour

12. Edinburgh: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

Are you looking for an extreme ghost tour deep within the Edinburgh vaults? Whether you are a non-believer (who may be swayed!) or a ghost hunter who loves to get scared, the  Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost tour  is for you.

The tour is in the dead of night, where a costumed guide will walk you through Edinburgh’s dark shadowy closes regaling you with dark tales of Edinburgh’s history. The tour then ventures into Edinburgh’s most haunted graveyard, where you will be told about the ghosts that wander through the gravestones.

As the clock strikes midnight, head down to the creepy Edinburgh underground vaults, where your tour continues with tales of the supernatural, crime and body-snatching in the same vaults you are standing in.

We heard noises from within the children’s vaulted room during my tour. It was pretty terrifying but cool at the same time.

The Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour is a small group tour that usually maxes out at 15 guests, but on occasion, there can be up to 30 people at times. Plus, the tour is incredibly spooky, so it is for adults only.

Be sure to bring your camera because people get weird photos with dark figures and orbs throughout the graveyard and the underground vaults in Edinburgh.

Book here: Edinburgh: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

• There is a maximum of 15-30 guests on this tour

Small Group Edinburgh Vault Tours

If you prefer a smaller group setting when taking a tour inside Edinburgh’s haunted vaults, I highly recommend booking one of these tours.

However, there are a lot of other tours that do have small group options, which are mentioned in the tour information above.

Some tours include history-only tours, adult-only tours and tours that finish with a bit of whisky. Check out the other categories for other small group vault tours.

13. Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour

Follow a costumed guide from Edinburgh’s history, like Agnes the Witch, on one of the best Edinburgh vault tours. The  Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour  walks you through the shadowy closes on the Royal Mile, where you will hear spooky stories full of horror and humour.

The early afternoon ghost tour is suitable for all ages, but book the night tour if you want something a bit scarier. The Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour is usually billed as a small group tour for up to 6 people but will often have up to 30 guests on busy days.

The tour will continue with a visit to Edinburgh’s famous underground Vaults, where you will hear about the bloody history deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The vaults on this tour consist of a small portion decorated with scary dolls.

The tour guides are friendly, engaging, and entertaining and have a ton of knowledge of Edinburgh’s exciting and dark history.

Book here: Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour

• There is a maximum of 6-30 guests on this tour

14. Underground City of the Dead Tour

Venture into the most haunted section of Edinburgh’s underground city, Damnation Alley, on the Underground City of the Dead Tour . Within these shadowy vaults lives an evil presence known as the South Bridge Entity.

The Edinburgh Vaults Tour begins above ground in Edinburgh’s Old Town before heading down to Damnation Alley, where you will be told grim stories about the people who once lingered in the dark vaults that were recently uncovered.

The tour guides are a lot of fun, entertaining and spooky. However, I would consider this ghost tour fun and dramatic as it has a jump scare at the end, so if this isn’t your thing, I recommend picking a different tour.

Also, please note that this tour generally runs long, so don’t book it if you have a tight schedule.

I spent the night in Damnation Alley when they first unleashed it to the public. It just had two empty vaulted rooms at that time, and they were working on tearing down more walls to find more vaults. Of course, this was long before the discovery of the South Bridge Entity, but it was still pretty spooky.

Book here: Underground City of the Dead Tour

Family Friendly Edinburgh Vault Tours

Do you want to tour Edinburgh’s haunted vaults with the whole family? Book one of these fantastic, family-friendly Edinburgh Vault Tours.

15. The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

Do you want to go on an Edinburgh underground ghost tour with the World Famous Underground Ghost Tour ?

The Edinburgh Vaults Tour starts above ground with a guide dressed in historical fancy dress, taking you through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Greyfriars Kirkyard. You will hear stories of evil poltergeists and body snatchers running rampant through the city streets.

Then the tour heads into the underground vaults. With over 400 years of gruesome history, the chambered rooms are now inhabited by ghostly spirits often heard, seen, or known to touch guests.

The guides are funny, informative and a little bit scary! I loved the tour guide who played Scotland’s infamous Sawny Bean – he was a blast!

The tour is not too scary, so it is suitable for children and families.

Book here: The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

16. Ghostly Underground (Daytime Tour)

If you are looking for a daytime Edinburgh Vaults Tour, go on the Ghostly Underground Tour with Mercat Tours. The tours from Mercat are full of real stories – nothing made up or fake, just real history from Edinburgh’s dark past.

Follow a cloaked tour guide through the dark streets and closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town before heading down to Edinburgh’s best and most extensive vaults.

The Blair Street Vaults are the most haunted in Edinburgh. As you descend the stairs leading to the vaults, the darkness sets in, and you will feel like you are being watched. That is because you are being watched by the resident ghosts who always remain in the vaults.

The storytelling on this tour is amazing as the guides are lively, entertaining and fun as they regale the fantastic ghost stories that have occurred within the dark walls of the Blair Street Vaults. 

Book here: Ghostly Underground

More Haunted History and Spooky Things to Do in Edinburgh

• Halloween in Edinburgh: 26 Scary Things to do in Edinburgh
• Mary King’s Close – Edinburgh’s Plague-Infested Underground Street
• Historic Edinburgh Cemeteries to Explore
• 28 Unusual Things to do in Edinburgh
• The 13 Best Ghost Tours in Edinburgh
• Best Haunted Pubs in Edinburgh
• Burke and Hare Edinburgh Tour
• The 8 Best Pub Crawls in Edinburgh
• The 10 Best Cemetery Tours in Edinburgh
• Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh for Adults
• Spooky Things to Do in Edinburgh Scotland
• Edinburgh Castle Ghosts

Save this for later on Pinterest!

Sharing is caring!

• Destinations
• Where to Stay
• See & do
• My dashboard
• Planning tools
• What's nearby
• My favourites
• Log your travels
• Weekly journal

MORE PHOTOS

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.

Add the first review

• The Magazine
• My Travel Stories
• Where to stay
• Things to do
• Tours to take
• Exclusive Use Venues

You are now signed up for the Hidden Scotland Journal, a free weekly email. Would you also like to gain free access to the full features of Hidden Scotland? To find out more sign up below.

REQUEST A BOOKING DIRECT WITH OWNERS

A 2 NIGHT STAY

AT THE GART MANSION

This prize includes a champagne reception, three course meal and a breakfast hamper on both mornings. And is worth over £10,000.

Already have an account? log in here

HIDDEN SCOTLAND

Would you like to leave a review ?

Join Hidden Scotland Today

Already have an account ? Log in here

By entering your email, you agreee to recieve marketing emails from Hidden Scotland

or sign up with email

Sign In To Hidden Scotland

Don't have an account ? Sign up here

Everything About Edinburgh Vaults Tours

The Edinburgh Vaults are the city’s largest underground caverns, famous for hosting popular ghost tours.

Many believe the Edinburgh Vaults are a hotspot for paranormal activity, with many reports of ghost occurrences.

The Edinburgh Vaults offer insight into 18th-century life in the city’s underground labyrinth.

They are also known as South Bridge Vaults, Blair Street Vaults, and Edinburgh Underground Vaults.

With 120 rooms spread across 19 arches, these vaults served as everything from taverns to workshops.

This article aims to provide all the essential information you need before securing your tour of the Edinburgh Vaults.

Where can you Buy an Edinburgh Vaults Tour Ticket?

The only way to visit the Edinburgh Vaults is by booking a guided tour . 

You can book a guided tour of the Edinburgh Vaults online. 

You will also find tour tickets at the venue. 

However, we recommend booking tickets online in advance.

What are ghost tours? A ghost tour takes you on an exploration of a place’s paranormal and spooky history. 

Expert guides will tell you eerie tales of horror in a way that will send chills down your spine. 

And Edinburgh Vaults are famous for being one of the best places for ghost tours.

If you’re a fan of thrilling experiences, book a ghost tour today!

Why are Online Tickets Better?

Online tickets are better for visiting Edinburgh Vaults due to four reasons: 

• Online tickets are cheaper than the tickets available at the venue. 
• These tickets help you avoid the long ticket counter queues. 
• Booking online in advance ensures that you get your preferred time and date slots. 
• Purchasing tickets online allows comparing and choosing the best ticket combinations and prices.

How Does an Online Tour Ticket Work?

Once your Edinburgh Vaults booking is confirmed, you will receive the e-ticket on your email. 

Simply display this at the entrance for swift and hassle-free entry. 

There is no requirement for a physical copy of the ticket.

Edinburgh Vaults Tour Price

The cheapest guided tour for Edinburgh Vaults costs £17 for adults aged 22 to 65.

Seniors aged 66 and above and youth between 17 and 21 years get a discounted price of £16.

There’s a huge discount for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and their ticket costs only £12. 

Types of Edinburgh Vaults Tours

Admission to the Edinburgh Vaults is only possible with a guided tour.

• The world-famous Underground Ghost tour is the cheapest and one of the best tours for visiting the Edinburgh Vaults. 
• The best-selling tour is the Edinburgh Vaults guided tour . You also have the option to see the torture exhibition on this tour. 
• A small group tour of South Bridge Vaults is perfect if you plan to visit with your friends or family. 
• Visitors also like the Edinburgh Vaults tour with whisky where you get a complimentary drink (whiskey, beer, or soft drink) towards the end of your tour. 
• To add an extra layer of spookiness, visitors also prefer taking the late-night Underground Vaults terror tour .
• A tour of Canongate Graveyard and Edinburgh Vaults is a great combo that lets you experience two great places at a discounted price. 

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

This is the cheapest and best tour of the Edinburgh Vaults. 

On this 75-minute walking tour your guide will dress as a known character from Scottish history. 

The guide will take you through the deep, dark history of the vaults. 

You will also get to visit the infamous and scariest graveyard: the Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Ticket Price

Adult ticket (22 to 65 years): £17

Senior ticket (66 years and above): £16

Youth ticket (17 to 21 years): £16

Child ticket (5 to 16 years): £12

Edinburgh Vaults Guided Tour 

Based on customer reviews, this is the best-selling ticket for the Edinburgh Vaults.

If horror is your theme, you will get spooked on this Edinburgh Vaults tour!

This tour takes you through the history of the vaults and the stories of the inhabitants, murderers, witches and much more.

If you select the evening tour option, you can see the Torture Exhibition at no extra cost. 

You’ll get a chance to see the frightening torture devices used by the people living in the vaults.

Children aged four and below are not allowed on this tour. 

Ticket Price 

Visitor Ticket ( 5 years and above): £20

Edinburgh Vaults Small-Group Tour 

This thrilling guided tour is best if you’re going with friends or family.

A maximum of 6 participants are allowed on this tour. 

With this small-group walking tour ticket, you will visit the spooky Blair Street Underground Vaults.

An award-winning expert guide will give you a detailed tour of the dark past of the vaults. 

Adult ticket (16 to 64 years): £20

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £18

Student ticket (with ID) (Any age): £18

Child ticket (5 to 15 years): £15

Edinburgh Underground Vaults Tour with Whiskey

Absorb the haunting mystery of the vaults with the leisure of a drink.

On this ghostly guided tour of Blair Street’s underground vaults, you get a complimentary drink. 

Toward the end of your tour, you can either get a whiskey, beer, or a soft drink in a candle-lit cellar. 

Get ready for a rollercoaster of thrill as an award-winning guide takes you through these vaults.

Adult ticket (16 to 64 years): £25

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £23

Student ticket (with ID) (16 years and above): £23

Child ticket (5 to 15 years): £17

Edinburgh Vaults Night Tour

You should visit the Edinburgh Vaults at night to add a layer of spookiness.

On this night tour, you will truly experience the darkness in the nooks and crannies of these vaults. 

The torture exhibition is included in this tour. 

Children aged 17 and below are not allowed on this night tour. 

Adult Ticket ( 18 years and above): £24

Edinburgh Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

This Edinburgh Vaults tour by Mercat Tours is the perfect ghostly bonanza.

Along with a visit to the Vaults, you also get to visit the eerie Canongate Graveyard. 

This is an evening tour of Edinburgh Vaults, starting at 6.30 pm.

Children aged 17 and below are not permitted on this tour. 

Adult ticket (18 to 64 years): £25

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £21

Student ticket (with ID) (18 years and above): £21

Edinburgh Vaults Tour Discounts 

Some tours of Edinburgh Vaults offer ticket discounts for senior citizens, youth and children. 

The World Famous Underground Vaults tour , one of the best ghost tours, offers a discount. 

The adult ticket for this tour costs £17, but for seniors and youth, there is a discount of £1 and their tickets cost only £16. 

There is an even bigger discount of £5 for children, and their ticket costs only £12.

Some tours also offer discounts on student IDs, like the Edinburgh Vaults Small-Group Tour .

On this tour, visitors of any age with a student ID get a discount of £2 on the original price of £20, and their ticket costs only £18.

What to Expect with Edinburgh Vaults Tours 

Edinburgh Vaults guided tours will take you on a mysterious ride into the past of Edinburgh’s Old Town. 

Entering these vaults with your guide will fill you with suspense and intrigue. 

The damp and cold atmosphere of these underground vaults adds to the spooky charm of the tours. 

The vaults, built in the 18th century, were initially used for businesses and workshops. 

The vault’s construction was rushed, and they were never properly sealed against water. 

This caused the damp conditions underground and made the chambers unsuitable for business. 

As the years passed and the population of the city increased, the vaults became home to the poor and underprivileged. 

Soon, they became grounds for illegal and eerie activities. 

Your guide will tell you about the history of these vaults and the tales of crimes, murders and ghost sightings associated with the vaults. 

Some chambers of the vaults have preserved elements to show the visitors the setup and the activities that took place inside them. 

On some tours, you can also see the Torture Exhibition , which displays the tools of torture used in the vaults. 

How Long Does it Take at Edinburgh Vaults? 

On average, a guided tour of Edinburgh Vaults takes 1 to 2 hours. 

These walking tours take you through the history of the vaults. 

The vaults were constructed in the 19 arches under the South Bridge. 

The South Bridge is over 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) long. 

Therefore, you will need an hour or two to explore the vaults comfortably. 

Edinburgh Vaults  – Day vs Night

Due to their underground location, the Edinburgh Vaults are damp and dimly lit.

This makes the experience of visiting them mysterious and spine-chilling, whether it is day or night. 

However, some visitors choose the night tours to add an extra layer of excitement to their visit. 

Irrespective of the time you pick, the Edinburgh Vaults guarantee a thrilling experience. 

How much does an Edinburgh Vaults tour cost?

The cheapest tour for the Edinburgh Vaults costs £17 for adults (22 to 65 years) and  £16 for seniors (66 and above) and youth (17 to 21 years).

It costs only £12 for children (5 to 16 years).

Can I book the Edinburgh Vaults tour online?

Yes, you can book a tour of Edinburgh Vaults online. You can only visit the Vaults if you’ve booked a guided tour.

We suggest booking a tour online in advance to reserve your spot and save time.

Where is the entrance of South Bridge Vaults?

The entrance to the Edinburgh Vaults is at 30 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LL, UK.

When you book a guided tour , you’ll get a meeting point from where your guide will take you into the vaults. 

Can I visit the Edinburgh Vaults at night?

Yes, special guided tours for the Edinburgh Vaults allow you to tour them at night. These tours are perfect for people who are looking for extra thrill.

What is the best time to visit the Edinburgh Vaults?

The best time to visit the Edinburgh Vaults is during the off-peak hours, usually weekday mornings. During these hours, the crowd is smaller than usual. 

What to wear for visiting the Edinburgh Vaults?

These Vaults are under the South Bridge, which means they receive no sunlight. We suggest wearing layers and comfortable shoes to prevent getting cold.

What is the best way to reach Edinburgh Vaults?

If you’re already in Edinburgh, the best way to reach the vaults is through public transportation such as bus, train, or tram.

Multiple bus, train and tram lines stop near Edinburgh Vaults.

What are the hours of operation for Edinburgh Vaults?

The Edinburgh Vaults are open all day and night, but the catch is that you can visit them only if you’ve booked a guided tour.

We recommend booking a tour in advance to reserve a spot.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Plan Your Visit

Opening Hours How to reach History Facts What to wear

What to See

Inside Edinburgh Vault

Buy Tickets

World Famous Underground Ghost Tour Guided Tour Small-Group Tour Guided Tour with Whiskey Edinburgh Vaults Night Tour Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

Got questions about the Edinburgh Vaults? Click/tap on the number below to message us on Whatsapp.

+38651715555

Everything about Edinburgh Vaults

This website is NOT the official website of the Edinburgh Vaults in Edinburgh. Vacatis operates the website to provide the most accurate and up-to-day information for tourists and locals.

Affiliate Disclaimer Content Information Policy Sitemap Privacy Policy Terms of Service

© 2024 Vacatis

• Popular Searches
• Ghostly Underground

Historic Underground

• Hidden & Haunted
• Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls
• Doomed, Dead & Buried

Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Type a keyword to begin your search

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

Discover more with #mercattours

History Walks

Edinburgh walking tours exploring scotland's rich history..

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

Morning/Afternoon

Explore the Old Town with an expert storyteller, and get exclusive access to Edinburgh's underground vaults.

Underground; Whisky Tour & Tasting

Hear tales of Scotland’s whisky, its history and development in Edinburgh complete with a single malt tasting in exclusive underground vaults.

4pm, Fri & Sat

Witches; trial and truth.

It’s time for a reckoning, the witches’ hour has come. Bear witness to the trials and, now, the truth. 

2pm, Saturdays

Evening of archives and artefacts.

EXCLUSIVE! Rare opportunity to view and handle objects uncovered during the excavation of Blair Street Underground Vaults.

ONE-DAY EXCLUSIVE: 5.30pm, Thursday 11th April

You might also be interested in, ghost tours, private tours, gift vouchers.

Souvenir Guidebooks

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

Awarded 5 stars continuously since 2007 it recognises that we're always improving our tours and experiences for our visitors and team.

Subscribe for updates

For all the latest information, tour updates and promotions..