Edinburgh - Dark History
Description
Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...
Tour Options
Itinerary
A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
Former site of the Old Tollbooth, one of Edinburgh's most notorious buildings. Hear about some of the characters once imprisoned and/or executed here, and why it ultimately became recognised by Sir Walter Scott as the Hard of the Midlothian.
What seems like the car park hides a secret, as well as the burial place of one of the most controversial figures in Scottish history.
Another infamous execution site. Hear about the importance of the building in the life of the city, and about a literal killing machine which was once kept inside St. Giles Cathedral.
Walk down the Royal Mile, where you'll hear about some of Edinburgh's notorious citizens, the Black Plague, and how the city's poor sanitary conditions eventually led to a most peculiar tradition.
Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most "authentic" corners in the city centre.
Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(871)
The tour was very nice! David was very personable and knowledgeable about the area and its dark history. He was attentive and tried to place us in spots with the most amount of shelter from the wind! This is not a ghost tour so if you want to hear about the darker sides of Edinburgh, give this a go! It was a very enjoyable experience overall.
Robert was absolutely amazing as a tour guide with lots of funingormation and answered lots of extra questions.
My friends and I booked the Dark Side tour and were not sure what to expect. But we were surprised and had a great experience with our guide, Robert. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing the stories about the people and history of the Royal Mile neighborhood. Definitely a great time. Highly recommend and be sure to ask for Robert!
Great tour! Our tour guide, Irish Mark, was awesome! Learned a lot about Scottish history. Would highly recommend.
Robert was a fantastic host for our small group of 4 travelers. He kept the tour lighthearted given the honestly dark nature of a lot of Edinburgh’s history tales. A natural comedian and authentic native of the city, he was able to answer any questions we had and give very detailed insight into the city’s wild past. Would highly recommend as a must-do for any visitors. The 2 hours flew by!
Excellent tour. Fun and fascinating. David did a great job.
Thoroughly enjoyable and informative. Robert was a great (and knowledgeable) guide.
Great knowledge of Edinburgh’s stories im a fun and interesting package. Robert F (wink) had great enthusiasm and really connected well with the group.
This was a very enjoyable two hours with Jack which my partner thoroughly enjoyed as she is retired medical professional! The seamier side of Edinburgh's history was very well presented, including what happens with those, 'nasty' inconveniences of existence in a city, as well as the fateful occurrences that befell some prominent citizens and some less prominent as well. Great fun!
Laura was lovely and totally right- you don't need ghost stories to get spooked because telling about humans is unsettling enough as is:) glad we have a bit more laws than we used to. She told about torture, disease, fixes for the disease, gravedigging, punishments and witch hunting. The way she talked gave me the impression she totally read her sources.
