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Offered languages
- English
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 and Canongate Kirkyard, two of Edinburgh’s most chilling cemeteries.
Throughout the tour, hear real-life tales of witches, body-snatchers, vampires (diagnosed, not undead), cannibals and more from your entertaining guide.
Hear the true story of Burke and Hare, Edinburgh's infamous body-snatchers
Visit the graves and legends of Old Calton Burial Ground and Canongate Kirkyard after dark.
Climb Calton Hill for panoramic views and grisly witch-trial history
Wind through shadowed alleys and cobbled closes most visitors never find.
Learn more about Edinburgh's dark past than you would on a standard sightseeing tour, well-balanced with the experience and places you explore.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Meet your guide with the SANDEMANs red umbrella. Looking at Starbucks? Look right, 130 High Street is two doors up the street. If you hit traffic lights, you went the wrong way.
Itinerary
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1Royal 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.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Calton Hill
Feel the hair on the back of your neck stand on end as your guide tells real-life tales of gore and gruesomeness, including stories about the witch trials that once took place here. Discover how the site is still used today for pagan rituals such as the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival, and drink in 360-degree views of the city’s skyline.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Old Calton Burial Ground
Then, continue to the Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries. See the imposing mausoleum that marks the final resting place of David Hume, who is said to have made a deal with the devil, and perhaps hear of the infamous body snatchers Burke and Hare.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Canongate Kirk
Alternatively, visit the Canongate Kirkyard cemetery, which dates back to the 17th century. Rest assured, there is no staged gimmickry, monster masks or made-up stories on this tour.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Edinburgh Old Town
After roughly two hours, your tour concludes at a local pub near the Royal Mile, where you can purchase a pint of beer or a dram of whisky to help cool your nerves after this entertaining and intriguing tour (own expense).
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our guides 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.
- Recommended for ages 10 and up. This tour covers murder, witch trials, and body-snatching through storytelling — spooky and atmospheric, but not graphic. Great for older kids and teens who enjoy a scare; parents of younger children may want to ask their guide about content in advance.
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our guides 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.
- Recommended for ages 10 and up. This tour covers murder, witch trials, and body-snatching through storytelling — spooky and atmospheric, but not graphic. Great for older kids and teens who enjoy a scare; parents of younger children may want to ask their guide about content in advance.
- This tour is scheduled for about 2 hours but often runs a little longer once the stories get going — plan accordingly if you have plans immediately afterward.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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