Edinburgh - Dark History
Overview
Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story...
Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born.
This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...
Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born.
This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...
Inclusions
- In-Person guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Old Town, Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland
A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
Stop At: Heart of Midlothian, 197 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St Giles' Cathedral, High Street Historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RE Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mercat Cross, Parliament Square, Edinburgh Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2PB Scotland
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.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: John Knox House Museum, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR Scotland
Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most "authentic" corners in the city centre.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN Scotland
Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.
Duration: 40 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Old Town, Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland
A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
Stop At: Heart of Midlothian, 197 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St Giles' Cathedral, High Street Historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RE Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mercat Cross, Parliament Square, Edinburgh Scotland
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2PB Scotland
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.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: John Knox House Museum, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR Scotland
Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most "authentic" corners in the city centre.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN Scotland
Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.
Duration: 40 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Seonaid_S
May 2022
Lyall was an excellent host and told us lots of interesting stories and took us to interesting places.
Lyall was an excellent host and told us lots of interesting stories and took us to interesting places.Rachel_A
June 2022
Very informative tour guide who knew other sides of history that we wanted to know. Clearly knew a lot about the city despite it not being his original home town. Clearly has a love for the history of the city.
Very informative tour guide who knew other sides of history that we wanted to know. Clearly knew a lot about the city despite it not being his original home town. Clearly has a love for the history of the city.Anthony M
June 2022
Great experience! Would recommend to anyone who likes history. Even if you're not into dark history.
Great experience! Would recommend to anyone who likes history. Even if you're not into dark history.Hina_M
June 2022
Very interesting and informative. The guide was very polite. But I think two hours is a bit too long for someone with kids.
Very interesting and informative. The guide was very polite. But I think two hours is a bit too long for someone with kids.Michele_M
June 2022
The tour was great and Lyall was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. Highly recommend.
The tour was great and Lyall was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. Highly recommend.lisapE3517FN
June 2022
Our guide was really knowledgeable and entertaining however, we would have liked a few more grisly stories and stops... I had a teenager with me who was particularly looking forward to a bit more gore!"
Our guide was really knowledgeable and entertaining however, we would have liked a few more grisly stories and stops... I had a teenager with me who was particularly looking forward to a bit more gore!"