Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
See Edinburgh’s shady side. The gruesome and the glorious. The ghostly and the ghastly. This 2-hour tour is a wickedly entertaining walk on the wild and dark side of the Scottish capital. Explore the spots where murders, monsters and mayhem have become things of legend, and visit Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard, two of Edinburgh’s most chilling cemeteries. Throughout the tour, hear real-life tales of witches, body-snatchers, vampires, cannibals and more from your entertaining guide.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The independent guides who employ us to market their tours have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group
We unfortunately do not advise guests in wheelchairs to join the Dark Side Tour, due to the narrow stairways and steep hills. We apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment caused.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Royal Mile
Meet your guide on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the Old Town, and then set off on foot to begin your walking tour of the city’s shade side. Edinburgh is crawling with odd activity, and there are tales of murderers, vampires, monsters and even cannibals that locals nervously recall to each other.
North Bridge
Follow your guide through dark courtyards and eerie alleys, and hear spine-chilling stories of executions, murders, torture, ghosts and witchcraft. Then, make for the North Bridge, with its own formidable history, before climbing Calton Hill.
Options
Tour with English guide
Evening Dark Side Tour
Tour with German guide
Reviews
3,788 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Edinburgh dark side
Anne M,
Sep 5, 2025
- Viator
4.00While it was an interesting experience, the group size at 36 people was larger than we like. Mark was a good guide
The whole thing is not...
Jing X,
Sep 4, 2025
- Viator
3.00The whole thing is not very interesting. Not what I expected. But our tour guider Mark is very good and knowledgeable.
Our guide was informative...
Kelley L,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our guide was informative and funny. We had a great experience learning about the “dark” side of Edinburgh
Overnight stay
Steven E,
Sep 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00My tour guide was Brian, who was a gentleman. The tour took us to many sights of the city, that are not obvious to the average tourist, giving a truly great experience. Brian was happy to answer and question I had in a charming manner. On the tour you will gain insight to the following. - Haunted History - History - Culture - Life in Edinburgh and Scotland - Literature - Politics - Mythology
Fun tour!
Julie F,
Aug 31, 2025
- Viator
5.00Steward was informative and funny. Great experience!it was a nice general city tour with a twist of murder mystery "and now you know the rest of the story" vibe!😁
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Operated by Sandemans Tours