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Edinburgh - Dark History

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Overview

Available languages

English

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

1

Old Town

A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.

Admission Not Applicable
2

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.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Edinburgh - Dark History

Reviews

4.96

754 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

725
27
2
0
0
  • A fun experience with a...

    Gary A,

    Oct 26, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    A fun experience with a lot of great stories. Our guide Robert was very entertaining. Got in some interesting history with the stories.

  • Historical, Fun, and Unique Tour!

    Mark F,

    Oct 26, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    James was an excellent tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and well spoken and he went out of his way to accommodate us all. If you’re looking for a fun and unique tour, this is the one to go on. We learned a lot of new facts about Edinburgh that we didn’t know before. The walking distance was also decent. It’s not too much and you only go up one flight of stairs. If you or your relatives have struggles with walking tours over a mile, this tour would be a good choice for you. I would absolutely recommend this tour!

  • Amazing tour about real...

    JohnA C,

    Oct 25, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Amazing tour about real facts which occurred in the city. The dark history of an extremely old city. Lydia our tour guide was wonderful and knowledgeable about the history of this old city. Definitely worth taken if you want to hear real facts which occurred during the history of Edinburgh. Cheers.

  • This is a great tour...

    Caitlin T,

    Oct 17, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    This is a great tour learning about some of the less savory aspects of Edinburgh history. We had a great time- Lydia did an excellent job!

  • Great Tour!

    Natalie S,

    Oct 15, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Keeran was very knowledgeable and fun! We had a great time learning about the history of Edinburgh. We can highly recommend this!

From £16.00

4.96
754 reviews
Check availability

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