Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
by Sandemans Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€56Overview
This two-hour walking tour explores Edinburgh’s dark side, focusing on mysteries, murder, and legends. The tour begins on the Royal Mile, where the guide introduces stories of murderers, vampires, witches, cannibals, and other notorious figures linked to the city’s Old Town. Participants follow the guide through narrow alleys and courtyards, hearing accounts of executions, torture, ghost sightings, and witchcraft. The route passes the North Bridge before ascending Calton Hill. Here, the guide discusses historic witch trials and explains how the hill is currently used for pagan events such as the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival, while offering panoramic views of the city. The tour then proceeds to one of two cemeteries known for their eerie atmosphere: Old Calton Burial Ground, which includes the mausoleum of philosopher David Hume and stories of the body snatchers Burke and Hare, or Canongate Kirkyard, a 17th-century cemetery with its own dark tales. The guide presents these stories without theatrical effects or fictional elements. The tour ends near the Royal Mile at a local pub where participants may buy drinks at their own expense.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Royal Mile meeting point
The tour begins with a meeting on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the main street of the Old Town. From there, the guide leads the group on foot, sharing stories about Edinburgh’s history of murderers, vampires, monsters, and cannibals that locals recall.
10 min
Dark alleys and North Bridge
The group follows the guide through shadowy courtyards and alleys while hearing accounts of executions, murders, torture, ghosts, and witchcraft. The walk then proceeds to North Bridge, known for its own grim history, before climbing up Calton Hill.
30 min
Calton Hill
At Calton Hill, the guide tells true stories of witch trials and explains how the site is currently used for pagan rituals like the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival. Visitors also get a 360-degree view of Edinburgh’s skyline.
30 min
Old Calton Burial Ground
The tour continues to Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries. Here visitors see the large mausoleum marking the grave of David Hume, who is linked to local legends about deals with the devil, and hear about the notorious body snatchers Burke and Hare.
30 min
Canongate Kirkyard
Alternatively, the tour visits Canongate Kirkyard cemetery, which dates back to the 17th century. The guide presents historical facts without using theatrical effects or fabricated stories.
30 min
Tour conclusion at local pub
After about two hours, the tour ends at a pub near the Royal Mile where participants may purchase a pint or whisky at their own expense.
Meeting point
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Look for the guide with the SANDEMANs red name badge.
End point
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Look for the guide with the SANDEMANs red name badge.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
by Sandemans Tours
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€56Overview
This two-hour walking tour explores Edinburgh’s dark side, focusing on mysteries, murder, and legends. The tour begins on the Royal Mile, where the guide introduces stories of murderers, vampires, witches, cannibals, and other notorious figures linked to the city’s Old Town. Participants follow the guide through narrow alleys and courtyards, hearing accounts of executions, torture, ghost sightings, and witchcraft. The route passes the North Bridge before ascending Calton Hill. Here, the guide discusses historic witch trials and explains how the hill is currently used for pagan events such as the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival, while offering panoramic views of the city. The tour then proceeds to one of two cemeteries known for their eerie atmosphere: Old Calton Burial Ground, which includes the mausoleum of philosopher David Hume and stories of the body snatchers Burke and Hare, or Canongate Kirkyard, a 17th-century cemetery with its own dark tales. The guide presents these stories without theatrical effects or fictional elements. The tour ends near the Royal Mile at a local pub where participants may buy drinks at their own expense.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Royal Mile meeting point
The tour begins with a meeting on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the main street of the Old Town. From there, the guide leads the group on foot, sharing stories about Edinburgh’s history of murderers, vampires, monsters, and cannibals that locals recall.
10 min
Dark alleys and North Bridge
The group follows the guide through shadowy courtyards and alleys while hearing accounts of executions, murders, torture, ghosts, and witchcraft. The walk then proceeds to North Bridge, known for its own grim history, before climbing up Calton Hill.
30 min
Calton Hill
At Calton Hill, the guide tells true stories of witch trials and explains how the site is currently used for pagan rituals like the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival. Visitors also get a 360-degree view of Edinburgh’s skyline.
30 min
Old Calton Burial Ground
The tour continues to Old Calton Burial Ground, one of Edinburgh’s chilling cemeteries. Here visitors see the large mausoleum marking the grave of David Hume, who is linked to local legends about deals with the devil, and hear about the notorious body snatchers Burke and Hare.
30 min
Canongate Kirkyard
Alternatively, the tour visits Canongate Kirkyard cemetery, which dates back to the 17th century. The guide presents historical facts without using theatrical effects or fabricated stories.
30 min
Tour conclusion at local pub
After about two hours, the tour ends at a pub near the Royal Mile where participants may purchase a pint or whisky at their own expense.
Meeting point
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Look for the guide with the SANDEMANs red name badge.
End point
The tours starts at 130 High Street (The Royal Mile), on the corner with Stevenlaw's Close. Look for the guide with the SANDEMANs red name badge.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.