Edinburgh Witches Old Town Walking Tour & Underground Vault
Overview
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Step into Scotland's rich and mysterious past on this captivating walking tour through Edinburgh's Old Town. Led by an engaging character guide, this experience blends history and storytelling for an unforgettable adventure.
Uncover the stories of Scotland’s accused witches, exploring their lives and the accusations they faced, and the injustices they endured, all while surrounded by the city's eerie charm. You may even learn some facts about much-loved characters from Outlander and Harry Potter!
Adding to the intrigue, the final 15 minutes of the tour will involve an exclusive visit to “The Lost Close” — this recently discovered underground site has been cloaked in mystery since the Great Fire of 1824. The ancient vault, where you will enjoy the remaining tales of the tour, dates back to 1742, offering a window into the past, and providing a fitting end to an immersive exploration of history and enchantment.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travellers who cannot navigate the cobbles, steep streets and steps of Edinburgh's old town
Not recommended for travellers with push-chairs or infants prams
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Entrance to the Vaults at The Lost Close
Entertaining Character Guide
Guided Walking Tour
What To Expect
St Giles' Cathedral
Who was St. Giles... find out and more as you learn a bit of Scot's history including Mary Queen of Scots, John Knox... and discover why it's perfectly acceptable to spit on the floor in Parliament Sq.
Royal Mile
Look down the Royal Mile towards East Lothian and hear a tale of the North Berwick Witches.
Options
Edinburgh Witches Old Town Walking Tour & Underground Vault
Reviews
554 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Juniper is great!
Ellen O,
Aug 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00Juniper was an amazing guide. Super knowledgeable, super charismatic. She clearly loves what she does, and she’s quite good at it. Would recommend this to anyone that’s in the city and has an hour or two to spare!
Really good fun . Absolute pleasure. Wonderful time .Great tour guide. Worth every penny.spellbinding experience.
Neil B,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00An absolute joyous time we had .our guide at 13.30 1/8/25. Think she was called juniper .? was such a perfect tour guide. We would be happy to go again. Thankyou . The Bradley's from Thanet kent .England.
An engaging and interesting way to learn about an important aspect of Scottish social history
Amanda D,
Jul 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00An engaging and interesting way to learn about an important aspect of Scottish social history. A must for anyone fascinated with feminism or marginalised people. Juniper, our tour witch, was warm, informative and fun! The tour takes just under ninety minutes and doesn’t cover too much distance / not tiring.
Witches academy
Nicole O,
Jul 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was a very fun activity as well as informative and Juniper was awesome. We learned history while having good fun.
Absolutely Unmissable Tour – Juniper is a Star!
Stacey I,
Jul 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our guide, Juniper, was absolutely amazing—and so fabulously dressed! She was like a silversmith with her words: witty, warm, and with a wicked sense of humour. Her storytelling was spot on—funny when it needed to be, serious when it mattered. We covered a small area of Edinburgh, but the tour took us through easily missed spots tied to the darker history of the witch trials. Juniper told these stories with so much heart, poignancy, and respect. She managed to honour the tragic past of innocent women while still making the tour engaging without it feeling too heavy. You could tell she genuinely cared. And a lot of the stories still stayed with me long after the tour ended. If you’re in Edinburgh, you’ve got to do this tour—it’s eye-opening, and it really makes you think about how this heartbreaking part of history still isn’t properly acknowledged.
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Operated by Enthral Experiences