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
754 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A fun experience with a...
Gary A,
Oct 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00A 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
5.00James 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
5.00Amazing 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
5.00This 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
5.00Keeran was very knowledgeable and fun! We had a great time learning about the history of Edinburgh. We can highly recommend this!
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Operated by All-Star Guides