Multi-Sensory Witches Trials & Truth Tour in Edinburgh
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The witching hour has come — it’s time for a reckoning. Follow in the tortured footsteps of real people who suffered in Scotland’s witch trials. Bear witness to the accusations, the trials and finally, the truth.
You’ll be transported back to a dark time ruled by a crazed king and his obsession with ‘otherworldly phenomenon’. Under the spell of a master storyteller you’re invited to listen carefully and perhaps think again...
Persecution of the weak, the wise and skilled? Roused by fear and envy? Inflamed by religious zeal?
There was no justice in court, nor truth in tribunals for accused ‘witches’. On this tour, our award-winning master Storytellers shine a light on the truth behind the trials and the real reasons behind the witch crazes that swept like a plague for centuries, across Scotland and beyond.
The past is calling. Will you bear witness?
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Royal Mile
You’re invited to listen carefully and perhaps think again... You’ll be transported back to a dark time ruled by a crazed king and his obsession with the dark arts, ‘otherworldly phenomenon’. Join us to walk the cobbled paths of Edinburgh’s Old Town and its centuries-old closes.
St Giles' Cathedral
Hear stories about the persecution of the weak, the wise and skilled, inflamed by religious zeal.
What‘s Included
Visit the locations where Scotland’s witches were once executed, and are now remembered
Exclusive multi-sensory tours; with master Storyteller guides
Small-Group tour
Enhanced with hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh and delivered through TourTalk audio devices
This tour is not suitable for those under the age of 18
Options
Multi-Sensory Witches Trials & Truth Tour in Edinburgh
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Well told stories
597ellenm,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting and well told stories. Linda was an excellent tour guide who told the stories about the women of Scotland in an interesting and enchanting way without being tabloid. She paid the history and the victims of this dark chapter of human history respect at the same time as it was told with dramaturgy.
Edinbugh history brought to life
jillybroon73,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a most interesting tour with well researched, and relevant history brought to life by our excellent tour guide, Linda. She is clearly passionate about the history of the witch trials, and her delivery was both clear and also entertaining. I would highly recommend Mercat Tours. I definitely must for anyone planning a trip to the old town of Edinburgh!
Ten out of ten….excellent experience
lucymM2010WA,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Linda, our guide was knowledgable, engaging, and clearly cared very much about the subject matter. She brought context and life to the experiences of the people caught up in the febrile religious tensions of the time. Fascinating, insightful and well worth it. Thank you :)
Great fun!
OnAir249207,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is something I had been wanting to do for the longest time and it did not disappoint! It was booked as a birthday gift I would definitely recommend. Really enjoyed our day/night in Edinburgh. Linda our tour rep was amazing, it was so interesting hearing all of the stories and facts, she was very informative and passionate. Looking forward to doing our next tour which was recommended by Linda for a bigger mixed group!
Amazing fun!
X7061PFchelseag,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was amazing! From start to finish the Mercat team were so helpful, I panicked and couldn’t find my confirmation email, messaged the team on WhatsApp they got back so quickly and had a new one sent out within minutes. The tour itself was great, Linda our tour guide was so friendly and really passionate about what she does. The info given was interesting and entertaining. We will definitely be back to do another tour.
Trials and Truth, a deep dive into the burning of women
melissanB5058IO,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I attended the Trials and Truth Tour hosted by Linda. She was very passionate about the topic and well informed. I really liked that the tour included so many historical facts presented in a very visual way. It was well organised in terms of the technical devices and registration aswell. Would definitely attend again.
Highly recommended!
silviapco,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went on three tours with Mercat and each experience was wonderful - would have done more if we had the time! Highly recommend all three tours we did: Witches tour, Secrets of the Royal Mile + Castle, and Doomed, Dead and Buried tour. All guides were absolutely amazing, knowledgeable, and engrossing - many thanks to Steph, Charles, and Sarah! I have to give a special shoutout to Steph, since me and my partner were the only two people on the tour and it was pouring rain the whole time, she still managed an absolutely amazing tour that was sobering, and honored all of the women that went through the unspeakable horrors of the witch hunts. It was 100% worth it. Many thanks as well to the Mercat staff that was awaiting along with the guides - Oliver, Mhairi and Johnny; and to Mhairi and Pats who helped me change my reservations when I needed to switch up some dates! We will certainly be back on the tours if we ever return to Edinburgh.
Witches: Truth and Trial - Linda
Tomfoster,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Linda was amazing - all history lessons should be like this, maybe/probably a bit life/perspective changing: very clear, accessible and informative - generally very well told and structured.
History Brought to Life with Compassion and Context - Scotlands Witch Trials
Sdarkerred,,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’ve always found witches and the witch trials fascinating, and knowing how many took place in Scotland, a witch tour was a must during our trip to Edinburgh — and wow, I’m so glad we did it! Our tour guide, Linda, was amazing. She really knew her stuff, and what I especially loved was the context she gave throughout the tour — explaining the wider picture of what was happening in religion and society at the time that led to this widespread violence against women. I really appreciated that the tour didn’t shy away from calling out the witch trials for what they were. It was deeply respectful of the real lives and stories of those who were victims of these so-called “witch hunts.” Insightful, educational, and yet not at all depressing — this is a tour I’ll be recommending to everyone!
Witches tour, utterly engrossing
Edingooner,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic Witches tour with Linda our guide. Very well researched, especially talking about specific Scottish women who had been accused of witchcraft. Engrossing storytelling, the time flew. An essential tour to go on for anyone visiting or living here.
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Operated by Mercat Tours