Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

Step into Edinburgh’s hidden underground vaults with a guide
Explore the winding passageways and hear grisly stories from their dark past
Hear tales of hardship and struggle in 18th-century Edinburgh
Explore a side to the Scottish capital many visitors miss

What's Included

Professional guide

Gratuities

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Bank of Scotland, 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UK
The tour starts from the Tourist Information Police Box, outside of the Bank of Scotland. This is across the road from Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. The guide will meet everyone there. Please be there at least 5 minutes early as we depart promptly at the tour time and will not wait for latecomers.

Return Details

45 Niddry St, 45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
not suitable for children under 5 years of age
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Entrance/Exit to the vaults is via a 2 foot tall step.
Most travellers can participate
Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 32 travellers

Operated by Auld Reekie Tours Ltd

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitisation during Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh?

A:The policies on sanitisation are:

Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Guides required to regularly wash hands

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

The vaults are very damp so make sure you wear suitable footwear

This tour is definitely worth going on at least once and I hope for your sake you get the guide Tuesday (like the day).

Reviews

4.5

1,948 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers

Showing 1-10 of 1,948 reviews

Fun in the dark...

Keith_B, Jun 2022

The horror of the children in the dark and danger of the vaults. The modern role of white witchcraft to quite the spirits.

Disappointing

Michael_I, Jun 2022

Too much time spent on three little vaults, one of which was used by *witches* in the 1980s. Some interesting history but disappointing in general. Look into another for that actually shows some of the underground street.

The darker side…

Belinda_C, Jun 2022

Edinburgh has such a rich and gruesome history which the guide elaborated on in a very entertaining way. Being in the vaults and hearing the stories of the past was a highlight.

Tour guide Aisling was a star

Luke_C, Jun 2022

Our tour guide Aisling was fun and friendly and full of energy and knowledge! They really made the experience pop. The walk was calibrated to the time of day (mid afternoon) and focused largely on history rather than gore and horror, while still managing to be creepy and atmospheric! Informative and fun!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad to see that you had a great experience on your tour with Ashlyn and that you found our tour guide is friendly and knowledgeable.

Not for the faint of heart, but brilliant none the less

Emma_C, Jun 2022

Great tour of the very creepy Edinburgh underground. Our tour guide Darren was full of knowledge and gave a brilliant tour and scared us all to death but it was all in good fun, we absolutely loved it! I would definitely recommend!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad to see that you had a good experience on your tour with Darren and that you found our tour is brilliant and scary.

Really interesting and...

Diane_M, Jun 2022

Really interesting and not scary which was good. Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Have been here before and never new the vaults were there.

Gory stories

CarlNiklas_F, Jun 2022

Good gory stories and effects. Excellent guide with proper attire for the task and storytelling skills

1 traveler found this review helpful

Amazing experience don't miss out

Helen_A, Jun 2022

Stewart was our guide, he was fantastic really goes that extra mile. He told us some incredible facts, and some of his now personal experience and stories.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're glad to see that you had an amazing experience on your tour with Stewart and that you found our tour guide is fantastic and funny.

A superb combination between history and frightening stories

Matthijs_D, Jun 2022

A superb combination between history and frightening stories. The tour guide was really passionate about the vaults what made the experience even better. Would definitely recommend this tour!

Fantastic tour!

Catalina_D, Jun 2022

Very interesting history you’ve got! Guide was fantastic, spoke very loud and clear and had a great sense of humour!

So - So tour

Paul_S, Jun 2022

It was a quick tour but a little cheesy. It gave you a little history of Edinburgh and to see a few of the vaults under the bridge. I thought it was nothing special but my wife thought it was cool to see.

Recommended

Patricia_M, Jun 2022

Amazing guide and interesting stories! Would recommend it to anyone who wants to find out more about Edinburgh's history.

Guide’s stories. Very...

Andrew_N, Jun 2022

Guide’s stories. Very glad we went on the tour. Educational and fun. Learned many things about the city which helped with our other exploration of the city.

1 traveler found this review helpful

An experience

beverly_S, Jun 2022

Very enjoyable great guide who was very knowledgeable. As expected lots of steps could do with hand rails.

Awesome!

Victoria_S, Jun 2022

My mother and I had our tour with Ashlyn and it was amazing, a different change of pace doing an underground tour! Loved it!

Not to be missed .....

Eleanor_A, Jun 2022

Our guide Stewart was absolutely awesome and a born storyteller. I am so glad we decide to do this tour it is so worth the money.

Colorful history brought to life

catherine_p, Jun 2022

Ashlyn did a great job of narrating the history of the area and bringing those stories to life. The length and difficulty of the tour were described well and were consistent with our expectations.

Not worth the price

Michael_W, Jun 2022

Tour guide was nice, but this was not worth the money. It’s an interesting story, but you can get as much from googling about the arches under South Bridge. If it weren’t for the recent Pagan worshippers the story would be quite short. Not good for young kids.

Funny and interesting

Tyrella_F, Jun 2022

Frazer made the tour very entertaining and gave loads of information and interesting facts about the places we looking at I would highly recommend this tour to my friends and anyone that I knew was visiting Edinburgh

Interesting and not to be missed

karenanzalone, Jun 2022

Seeing the underground vaults of Edinburgh was a treat. Josh brought the tour to life with stories and history. Glad we went!

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Questions?

Product code: 8752P1

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