This is a chance to descend and discover our world famous Underground Vaults – the deepest, largest and most extensive in the city.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more
Duration 75 minutes: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English

Highlights

Explore the history of the famous Blair Street Underground Vaults
Hear how real people lived, and worked, in the Vaults
See, and touch, artefacts from 19th Century
Have a thrilling day with Scotland's first 5-star walking tour
Enjoy a 50% discount on this tour until February 18, 2022

Full description

The Story of the Underground This is a chance to visit our Underground Vaults – the deepest, largest and most extensive in the city in the company of a Mercat historian. After sitting unexplored for two centuries, there are many questions waiting to be answered…Why were the Vaults built? When and who by? Who used the Vaults? When and why? How did they work, and play? Your guide will recount their history, recall their stories and answer your questions during this glimpse into our past.

Includes

Shared or private tour (depending on option selected)
Visit to Interpretation Centre
Award-winning local storytellers
TourTalk radio receiver to enjoy live storytelling at a safe distance
Exclusive access to Blair Street Underground Vaults

Not suitable for

Children under 5 years
People with mobility impairments
Wheelchair users

Covid-19 precautions

You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You must bring your own headphones
You are required to bring and wear a mask

Meeting point

Meeting point is at the Mercat Cross, an 8-sided stone monument on the Royal Mile, next to St Giles Cathedral and opposite the City Chambers.

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Important information

What to bring

Comfortable shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

Pets (assistance dogs allowed)

Know before you go

Tours operate rain or shine

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 272 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.7/5
Value for money
4.4/5
Service
4.6/5
Organization
4.6/5

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Your guide was Brilliant. she took the time to make sure we could all hear and that everyone was in the space. perfect for the job . it was very interesting loads of info and history of old Edinburgh. very interesting and will be telling friends to go on it. thanks .

November 16, 2019

Eye opening

This well described talk and tour about the past of this great city was amazing. Even though the underground passages stood empty the excellent tour guide set the scenes for each part of the tour filling the air with gloom and despondency of what it must have been like living life underground in such a horrific time of history

August 21, 2018

I felt that there were too many people on this tour (30) to enjoy the experience in the confined spaces underground. The lighting was poor (just a few candles) and the uneven floor made walking hazardous and uncomfortable. The guides were friendly and informed though. There really wasn't much to see and I felt 30 minutes was stretched into 70 minutes. The strangest thing was on entering the first room I felt really faint and I had to fight it until we moved into the next room and the feeling just went, maybe I experienced more than I thought?

August 9, 2018

Edinburgh: Historic Underground Vaults Daytime Tour

Edinburgh: Historic Underground Vaults Daytime Tour

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Eye opening