Edinburgh - Dark History
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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...
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
In-Person guide
What To Expect
Old Town
A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
Heart of Midlothian
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.
Options
Edinburgh - Dark History
Reviews
721 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our guide, Joe, was...
Caitlin M,
Sep 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our guide, Joe, was great! The weather was less than ideal but he was on point nonetheless. The material was interesting and informative, very cool.
Informative, fun, and intimate.
Eric P,
Sep 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00A deep and rich history lesson that will leave you wondering what else lurks in this cities past. Joe delivered on every expectation of this tour. Great story telling; his regaling would have you believe he studied theater rather than history. Tying one segment into the next with such detail felt like I was experiencing a play unfolding on the streets of Edinburgh. While it clearly is mentioned and he stated from the start it is not a ghost tour, the tales told will leave you eager to learn what other secrets and mysteries lie buried below and in the past. The whole experience was entertaining and engaging. Nice that it was an intimate group of about 8 of us. Able to hear everything and navigate easily especially during a very busy Saturday in Old Town. Great job again to Joe!
Great tour and guide
Suzanne S,
Sep 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Kieran was an extremely knowledgeable and fun guide! It was just a great tour with a lot of interesting, albeit dark, history. We had a great time.
Very informative tour
tstorrow,
Sep 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00Robert was absolutely brilliant. Stories were informative and interesting and I liked the little addition of the harmonica as we were walking around. Highly recommended this tour learn some of the Dark History of Edinburgh. Robert was very welcoming. Very glad we booked.
Great Tour Company
Shannon S,
Sep 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide, James, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Also, his colleague went out of his way to correct a billing error that was not their fault!
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Operated by All-Star Guides