Edinburgh's Dark History Walking Tour｜United Kingdom

Walk with a guide through the uneasy history of Edinburgh’s dark side. Start at Edinburgh’s most infamous cemetery and then walk in the footsteps of criminals, witches, and maybe even ghosts. Learn about the city’s blood-soaked past through locations, anecdotes, and stories. Best experienced as the sun goes down and shadows fill the streets.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking and be aware that there are no public toilets on the route. Some topics may be unsuitable for young children.

Start at Greyfriars Graveyard and see the site of the Covenanters’ Prison. Walk to Grassmarket and learn about public executions. Pass by West Bow and Victoria Street (famed as the template for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter).

Continue to Edinburgh Castle to find out about James II and how the Witch Trials started. Walk down the upper part of the Royal Mile to see Brodie’s Close, the site of the last public execution and St Giles Cathedral.

Learn about the tragedy of Paisley Close, visit the location of an infamous school shooting and discover how the plague swept through the slums of the Old Town - as well as the stories of serial killers Burke & Hare.

The tour is entirely in English but a digital guide is provided in various languages - detailing the main points we visit. Please let me know what language you'd like the guide in so I can provide the correct QR code to download it to your phone or tablet.