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 German guide
Tour with English guide
Evening Dark Side Tour
Reviews
3,817 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Edinburgh Dark History Tour
DanielPeter M,
Oct 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00We really enjoyed the tour which was focused more towards history than anything paranormal but we still really enjoyed it and the guide was very clear and informative. The tour was a good length not too long and not too short and we got to see a good amount of the city both old and new town.
Walking to the graveyards...
Mary G,
Oct 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00Walking to the graveyards and listening to the stories was very interesting. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history and story of Edinburgh.
A very nice walk with stories of Edinburgh's darker side
Jared L,
Oct 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00Belle was very nice. We walked about for a good 2 hours and hit some major points. The darker history was very interesting. Loved to hear more "ghost" histories but I was happy with the tour.
Really recommend!...
Emma S,
Oct 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00Really recommend! Interesting and funny guide who was well read and had a lot of empathy when he told. You also got a better picture of The Old Town and how it connected.
Great start to Edinburgh
Dustin C,
Oct 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00What a great way to get familiar with Edinburgh! The lore, history, area, with a splash of the Scottish Gaelic language. All great touches. I highly recommend this your tour to kick off your adventure in Edinburgh!
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Operated by Sandemans Tours