Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

Beneath the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ll discover a dark, damp world that has remained unchanged since the 18th Century. Step into the depths of the Blair Street Underground Vaults on a multi-sensory journey of perfectly preserved history and learn how these vaulted chambers became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.

Breathe in the scent of Edinburgh’s past as our award-winning Storytellers share vivid accounts of life within the vaults, revealing Edinburgh’s history in a way you’ll never forget.

All your questions will be answered throughout the duration of our Historic Vaults tour, where our master Storytellers bring the history of the underground vaults to life.

Continue your journey in our Vaults Museum, where authentic historic artifacts and informative interactive displays provide further insight into the vaults' past.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children over 5yrs only

Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Visit to our Vaults Museum, with interactive 3D models and the Vaults Revealed audio-visual display

Exclusive access to Blair Street Underground Vaults

Enhanced with hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh and delivered through TourTalk audio devices

Exclusive multi-sensory tours; with master Storyteller guides

What To Expect

Mercat Cross

Meet your master storyteller at the Mercat Cross, where they will lead you down the closes and wynds while you breathe in the scent of Edinburgh's past.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Edinburgh Vaults

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Small Group Scheduled Tour

Maximum group size of 18

Reviews

4.69

1,351 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1091

167

Very good , recommend for fun and stories
lanah585,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Very good experience with a nice and funny gide ( sorry don't remember the name , but she is beautiful blond with two breeds ). Without her amazing acting, performance and stories that dungeons would be boring , but she did amazing job. Gide 5* , dungeons 3.5* , stories 4.2* ❤️‍🔥
Must do !
Roving42873164800,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything was great! The tour was really interesting and well organized. The explanations were clear and easy to understand, even for non-native English speakers. The vaults were amazing, and the audio equipment (headphones) made it even easier to follow and enjoy the experience. We truly had an excellent time and would definitely recommend this tour!
Historic tour through old town and into the vaults
527bretti,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Michael was excellent! Very fun and super informative. His story teller coupled with a very animated character made for a memorable experience.
Exploring underground chambers
emilyinglis2020,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
We really enjoyed our tour of the South Bridge Vaults. Our guide Marina was excellent, both relaxed and informative. Exploring the different chambers and hearing stories of the people who lived and worked there was enjoyable and in the the best way a bit creepy.
Mercat Tours - Historic Vaults Tour
megansW8259DZ,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The immersive tour was nothing short of amazing. Linda was engaging, friendly and super informative! She guided us on a fantastic tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh!
Mercat is awesome! Thanks to Veni!
personalartistLB,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide, Veni, was absolutely fantastic! Her storytelling skills are wonderful: pauses, suspense, audience engagement, enthusiasm. I did this tour about a decade ago but wanted my daughter-in-law to experience it when she visited me in Edinburgh. We loved it and it was just spooky enough for Halloween! I'm in Edinburgh quite often with free time to spend on tours and I plan to do more with Mercat!
A great night out ,
477humant,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really enjoyed the tour , of the vaults, with a few spooky things happening in there , sarah our tour guide was wonderful and great at telling the stories .
Veni and the Vaults
Jodieness93,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really did not know what to expect on this tour as I wasn’t very familiar with the vaults. Veni our tour guide did a fabulous job talking to us regarding the history of Edinburgh and the vaults. I found the tour very interesting. A word of warning for those a little unsteady on your feet - wear sensible shoes, there is no where to sit until you come back from the vaults which if you are anything like myself, I was struggling with aching feet and back by the end. Would definitely bring others back to do the tour when next in the city.
Interesting and informative
elainek575,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience, loads of history not only to learn but to experience as well. Our guide Veni was brilliant, loads of stories and happy to answer our questions. Museum at the end interesting. Hopefully I will return and do a haunted tour next, it's very atmospheric down there.
Great historical trip below south bridge.
Andreas S,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was reslly nice to hear the historical side of the vaults this time, because we did the ghost tour fifteen years ago. however, the guide was nice both times and we will come back. thank you for the stories.