Guided tour

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Activity provider: Auld Reekie Tours
Guided tour

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Tour

Activity provider: Auld Reekie Tours
Likely to sell out

From US$ 21.97 per person

Likely to sell out

Visit the vaults beneath Oldtown in Edinburgh, dating back to the early 18th century. Your guide will tell you about murders, witches and the people who inhabited this supposedly haunted location.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 hour
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Take a guided tour of the dimly lit vaults beneath the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town
  • Explore the South Bridge vaults and learn about the history of what lies beneath the city’s streets
  • Hear about the squalid living conditions and diseases that ran rampant through the area
Full description

This guided walking tour takes you beneath the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town into a dimly lit space that many considered to be haunted. Your tour visits the vaults of the South Bridge that date back to the 1700s.

These are the same vaults mentioned on Most Haunted Live as one of the scariest places on earth. Learn how the vaults have been used over the years, the living conditions endured by the poor and homeless residents, and the spirits that are supposed to haunt them.

The darker side of Edinburgh's history will unfold as you wander through the candle-lit underground area. From your guide, you'll hear about the Burke and Hare murders and the persecution of witches.

Discover the characters who stalked the streets of Edinburgh, and the paranormal stories associated with the vaults. The Haunted Vaults tour option will cover slightly more paranormal and ghost stories. Step into the torture exhibition and explore how and why these items were used.

Includes
  • Tour of the South Bridge underground vaults
  • Guide
  • Entry to the Torture Exhibition (If option selected)
  • Food and drink
Not suitable for
  • Children under 5 years
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the Tourist Information ticket booth, outside of the Bank of Scotland. This is located across the road from Deacon Brodie's Tavern.

Open in Google Maps ⟶
Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

  • Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
  • Intoxication
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Video recording

Know before you go

  • The entrance of the vaults has a 2-foot tall step and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
  • Single floor spiral staircase at entrance/exit of vaults and further small sections of stairs inside
  • Filming or live streaming of the tour is strictly forbidden
  • Tour without Torture Exhibition suggested suitable for ages 5+
  • Tour with Torture Exhibition suggested suitable for ages 12+
  • Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away
  • Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden on tour
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 5419 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.5/5
  • Organization
    4.4/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

I enjoyed the vaults but thought we would have got in to more of them but I am really interested in ghosts and stuff. I would like to spend a nite down there to see if anything happens. Standing in the last vault we were in I could see a dark shadow like a dog or someone crawling on the floor seen it twice that was a good experience. Would recommend if in Edinburgh to go on the tour. I am carrie the partner writing the review.

Read more

March 6, 2023

We had a young lady as a guide (I believe she was called Nora) and she was just so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She definitely added some spirit to the tour! The vaults were very interesting and spooky and learning about the history of those vaults and a few other places nearby was really cool and made Edinburgh feel even cooler after the fact!

Read more

March 1, 2023

Absolutely incredible. Darren, our tour guide was great, enthusiastic, sarcastic (in the funny way) and he knew his stuff! He set the mood and it was eerie a few times. I was super glad that the little boy ghost didn't tug at my coat, as he tends to go for petite blondes but I was scared but entertained at the same time. An amazing piece of history that I never knew about, very interesting and he kept me focused and interested at all times! An essential tour when visiting Edinburgh!

Read more

March 1, 2023

Product ID: 47520