Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh
5
Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh
By Auld Reekie Tours
About
from per adult
$23.30
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-99, max of 36 per group
Duration: 1h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
- Admission Ticket
- Entry/Admission - Edinburgh Vaults
- Departure details
- 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UK Tours starts from the Tourist Information Police Box outside of 300 Lawnmarket. It is on the opposite side of the road to Deacon Brodies Tavern. Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as we depart promptly at the tour time and we will not wait for latecomers.
Return details- 45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK The tour ends next tour office at 45 Niddry Street.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8752P11- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Vaults are accessed via a 2ft stair with further average size stairs inside the vaults.
- Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
- Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian
- Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
- Alcohol and Drugs strictly forbidden on the tour.
- Filming or live streaming of the tour is strictly forbidden. You may be ejected from the tour.
- Office hours are 10am-5pm for all calls & emails
- • Some historical content may be of a distressing nature with regards but not exclusively to Torture, Hangings, Death
- • Children under 2 years of age not allowed on tour.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- The walking pace and terrain may not be suitable for those with any difficulty walking.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- What you can expect during your visit
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
Community- Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
- Which attractions will I visit with Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh?
- During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- How much is Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh?
- Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh price starts from $23.54. Discover and book Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- What is the Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh cancellation policy?
- Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh?
- Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh is hosted by Auld Reekie Tours. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Auld Reekie Tours on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8752P11
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Itinerary
- You'll start at300 Lawnmarket300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UKTours starts from the Tourist Information Police Box outside of 300 Lawnmarket. It is on the opposite side of the road to Deacon Brodies Tavern. Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as we depart promptly at the tour time and we will not wait for latecomers.See address & details
- 1Royal MileStop: 15 minutesSee details
- 2Edinburgh VaultsStop: 40 minutes - Admission includedSee details
- You'll end at45 Niddry St45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UKThe tour ends next tour office at 45 Niddry Street.See address & details
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About the operator
- MorktheDork00Spooky Vault Times!Ally did a great job working around some noisy guests and some thumping club music to bring a fun but spooky atmosphere to the Vault. I learned quite a bit about the history of Edinburgh, and how the Vaults came to be. Fun photos as well!
- Tintyb00Enjoyable and recommendedAlly kept us engaged throughout the two tour segments. She has a great sense of humor! The pace is comfortable but does involve quite a bit of walking and a flight of steep stairs. We really enjoyed the tour with her. My only suggestion would be for her (or any other guide) to carry a stick/flag to help everyone to be together in a crowded street. Overall a great experience!
- iarinai202000Spooky and funnyIt was a really good experience. Our guide, Ally, made us feel amazing and brought us into the spooky mood.
- Explorer2252936919400Great Tour - informative and fun!We really enjoyed the tour. They did a great job of each story along the walk getting more and more intense - so by the time you're listening to the last story, you're more susceptible to having 'an experience.' I really respected the opportunities that our guide offered to the group to leave if they needed to without judgement and to ensure there would be no judgement from anyone in the group. It actually made us feel more comfortable. Loved the stories and very worth doing!
- gemmarS6450OW00Eerily enjoyable tourIve done this tour before once and a night tour and loved it so I wanted to bring my kids who have never been. My daughter (10 yrs) loved it, my youngest (7) was a little bit scared he said but he was fine going round, he just held my hand. We met by a tourist info booth/ telephone box at Lawnmarket/the royal mile and took a little bit of different walk to the vaults due to the royal mile being so busy with the fringe, there was a steep road to walk down but it was fine for us. Paige our tour guide was great, came across as very friendly and was enjoyable to listen to. This one isn't a ghost tour but paranormal activities are mentioned and the setting just makes the tales more eerie compared to a walking tour outside. The underground streets and vaults are fairly spacious so you don't feel claustraphopic and are quite dark and damp in places, lit by emergency lights. I do wish the tour was a little cheaper at nearly £60 for the 3 of us for an hour but I do recommend it as a unique interesting addition to your visit to edinburgh.
- Ian-Down-Under00Head down the gurgler!Very simple set of tunnels, chambers and vaults running underneath the city centre. Interesting to learn the history behind them and to be able to see some examples of them chambers fitted out. The guide lady we had was very colourful and lively when presenting the history - good fun. Plenty of walking around, up and down. Make darn sure your shoes are waterproof if it is raining on the day, certainly a bit of water seeps into the chambers creating slush, little rivers and mud lakes, which simply adds to the character of the place!
- T2753XRleslies00Good tourReally enjoyed the tour. Great information and stories about Edinburgh history in addition to seeing the super creepy vaults.
- Heather D0010/10 experienceMy tour guide Ally was both hilarious and extremely knowledgeable, the tour itself was brilliant and very insightful! I would recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh
- 68vedranj00Excellent experience!Our tour guide Ally was extraordinary! She told us many interesting stories which were amazing. She was really passionate about the tour and we really liked that. I would rate the tour 10/10 and recommend it to anyone.
- lunal24400Underground must doNot only are the undergrounds insanely cool (and a little clammy) - we were fortunate enough to be guided by Paige who was absolutely lovely. We very much appreciated the stories, creeps, and the humor she managed to combine into her narrative of past-Edinburgh. Can only recommend it!
- springa12300Great TourOur tour guide, Ally, was fantastic! Tons of fascinating information and sights that you’d never see touring the town on your own.
- SSD_xl00An interesting tourWe had a nice time walking around the cemetery and the vaults. Our guide, Jordan, was very entertaining and fun. The cemetery part was better. I think I was expecting something a little more scary and a little less talk. But all in all, I recommend the activity!
- alansH4219OB00Unseen Parts of EdinburghWell orginised, Tour Guide was very good and knowledgeable. Tour Guide was clear when talking and made sure everybody was involved. Make sure not to wear sandals, quite a few puddles.
- po202300BRICK ROOM TOURGuide left without us even though we were at the meeting place. Managed to get onto next tour thanks to girl at the site. Found the tour a bit boring as only thing we saw was inside of brick rooms which all looked the same. Guide, Sid tried to make it entertaining but wouldn’t recommend.
- 615hayleye00Very good tour!This was a very good, informative tour!! I’ve done a few different vault/graveyard tours and can recommend. I wouldn’t say it was particularly scary, however, there were plenty of people in the tour looking spooked. I thought the torture room was a ‘nice’ touch that other tours I had been on didn’t have. Shout out to our tour guide Jordan who was equally charismatic, funny and captivating. My only disappointment was the club music thumping through the walls, but that can’t be helped by the tour. I’m not sure it was worth the £22 as many of the other tours are cheaper, but it was still enjoyable and something slightly different.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,310 reviews
Excellent
1,157
Very good
98
Average
29
Poor
14
Terrible
12
Claire L
74 contributions
We had already paid for a 2.5 hour underground tour of Edinburgh and the first 30 mins of this tour covered upperground and tbe same info.
I am very disappointed with the compant who are succeding in getting something for nothing. They have purchased 10 vaults, we saw 5. The speal was that they had deliberately kept them clear as they would have been in the day (1700's) but rhos is not how they would have been. They would have been full of people and other stuff which could be displayed as London Dungeon or thecyork experience, which includes smells as well. This could be done to a far higher level of production, and then charge more. But this is daylight robbery, admittedly in keeping with the time.
I would not fault the tour guides story telling with the limited back drop, although my husband is of a different opinion.
I would consider this a complete waste of money, unless you want the experiential lesson of being mugged in the vaults
I am very disappointed with the compant who are succeding in getting something for nothing. They have purchased 10 vaults, we saw 5. The speal was that they had deliberately kept them clear as they would have been in the day (1700's) but rhos is not how they would have been. They would have been full of people and other stuff which could be displayed as London Dungeon or thecyork experience, which includes smells as well. This could be done to a far higher level of production, and then charge more. But this is daylight robbery, admittedly in keeping with the time.
I would not fault the tour guides story telling with the limited back drop, although my husband is of a different opinion.
I would consider this a complete waste of money, unless you want the experiential lesson of being mugged in the vaults
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuldReekieTours
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I’m sorry that your tour did not live up to your expectations and that you felt it was not worth the ticket price. Our vaults are left bare without any props and our guides use their excellent storytelling abilities to bring them to life in peoples imaginations. As you can see from many of the other reviews, people do enjoy this but we fully understand that this may not be to everyone’s liking and there is already the Edinburgh Dungeons available for kind of experience.
Written August 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elliott W
Bedfordshire, UK14 contributions
Aug 2021
We done the 10am walking tour of the vaults, with our brilliant host Maggie, and although it is a morning trip, this will still frighten you! Maggie was very informative and set a very good scene prior to entering the vaults, and once inside things did get very creepy.
You always feel as though you are being watched or at any moment something could walk out and grab you from a dark corner
This tour is an excellent way to see and learn some of Edinburgh's more dark history... highly recommend!
You always feel as though you are being watched or at any moment something could walk out and grab you from a dark corner
This tour is an excellent way to see and learn some of Edinburgh's more dark history... highly recommend!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuldReekieTours
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We’re glad you had such a positive experience on your tour with Maggie. We will pass along your kind words to her.
Written August 31, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mightysheep
Stonehaven, UK14 contributions
Oct 2021
Stewart, our host was extremely welcoming and engaging. He told the history and the stories with passion and instilled a sense of foreboding - just what the tour should do :)
Would recommend to anyone with an open mind and an interest in macabre history. A really enthralling insight into the Edinburgh seedy side of bygone times.
Would recommend to anyone with an open mind and an interest in macabre history. A really enthralling insight into the Edinburgh seedy side of bygone times.
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexander G
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We didn’t get the tour guides name but from other reviews I’m sure it’s Ewan. Jan 7th at 8pm. Super informative, funny and engaging, he kept us all entertained the while way through, even talking mess to people as we walked passed them on our way to the vaults. We could have missed a whole ton without a tour so I highly recommend a tour!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulinesfulton
Glasgow, UK32 contributions
Feb 2022
This was one of the worst walking tours I have experienced. From the outset, it did not inspire me with confidence, when the girl checking us in to the tour shouted for “Alta Rica” tours and everyone just looked at each other. Eventually worked out it was ours by reading her sweatshirt, and directed my fellow tourists to her. The guide was, frankly, awful! She had the voice of a squeaky mouse, which was difficult to hear, as well as being heavily accented and continuously mispronounced words. She took us to “St Gill’s” cathedral, which was St Giles; couldn’t get the costing of the statue, telling us it cost £500,000 back in the days, when I’m assuming it should have either been £500 or £5000 back then. Her descriptions and tales in the vault lacked substance and content and made it a turgid tour. A couple left at the beginning, and many others muttered about leaving on the way round, as they couldn’t make out a word. She had the cheek to tout for tips at the end too. I think they seriously need to look at the calibre of their guides. Two of my adult children had recommended this tour, and said their respective guides were fabulous, so think we were just unlucky.
Hats off to the company, who refunded our ticket price in full after I submitted my review. This gives me confidence to book future tours with them. due to good customer service.
Hats off to the company, who refunded our ticket price in full after I submitted my review. This gives me confidence to book future tours with them. due to good customer service.
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuldReekieTours
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We’re sorry that your tour was not up to our usual standards and we really appreciate you taking the time to follow up on your review after you had reached out to us.
Written February 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
summershopper
Norfolk, UK55 contributions
We met our guide Stewart at 5pm and headed down the Royal Mile stopping several times at points of interest, Stewart was fab, articulate, knowledgable, & charismatic after approx 30 mins we reached the entrance of the Vaults under the South Bridge. On entering the Vaults you go into a room where there is an array of torture implements on display, Stewart again was interestingly informative, after approx 10mins Stewart lead us into the Vaults as expected they are dark, eerie and haunting. Stewart lead us from vault to vault story telling as we went along, we thoroughly enjoyed it, the Vaults are well worth visiting and I’d recommend Stewart as a guide.
Negatives, As much as we enjoyed the stops at the points of interest on the way to the vaults we would have preferred longer in the Vaults, Stewart said we could take photos in the Vaults but there really was not the opportunity to do so, after visiting each room/Vault and listening to Stewart we held back to take photos but each time held up the rest of group and felt we had to be quick to catch them up. It would have been good to have had an opportunity at the end of the guided tour, just 5-10mins to take photos and revisit some of the rooms.
On reflection we think we would have enjoyed St Mary’s Close better, apparently the tunnels are brought to life and I believe you get a full hour in the actual tunnels, we tried to visit after the Vaults tour but like everything you have to pre-book and it was sold out for days!
Negatives, As much as we enjoyed the stops at the points of interest on the way to the vaults we would have preferred longer in the Vaults, Stewart said we could take photos in the Vaults but there really was not the opportunity to do so, after visiting each room/Vault and listening to Stewart we held back to take photos but each time held up the rest of group and felt we had to be quick to catch them up. It would have been good to have had an opportunity at the end of the guided tour, just 5-10mins to take photos and revisit some of the rooms.
On reflection we think we would have enjoyed St Mary’s Close better, apparently the tunnels are brought to life and I believe you get a full hour in the actual tunnels, we tried to visit after the Vaults tour but like everything you have to pre-book and it was sold out for days!
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuldReekieTours
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We’re glad you enjoyed your tour with Stewart, we will pass along your kind words. Thank you very much for your feedback regarding the time spent in the vaults as well as relating to taking photos during the tour.
Written August 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rosie F
6 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Our tour guide Stewart was very entertaining and helpful during the tour. We had a fantastic time learning about the history of the vaults and being scared out of our wits on a few occasions! Stewart was a great storyteller, giving the right balance of humour and the macabre for the whole hour. Definitely recommend trying this out although it is definitely not suitable for the under 12s and the access to the vaults was a little terrifying all by itself!
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma K
29 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
A very interesting and informative tour with Barbra. She delivered the tour in a very interesting manor with a bit of humour thrown in. She was very informative and knowledgable about the vaults and shared many stories. The whole experience was one of the most eerie experiences I have ever had and, although I’d be too scared to do it again after watching the Most Haunted episode, I highly recommend this tour.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
Definitely recommend this tour. Our tour guide Ewan (hope I am spelling it right 🙈)knows his knowledge and the facts he shared were so interesting and learned alot about the history of the city!! He kept us on our toes for the whole tour. Thank you Ewan for your whitty sense of humour and making the tour very enjoyable!!
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yasmita C
London, UK20 contributions
Our tour started off with a cute, fresh faced lass named Megan asking after our tickets in a soft voice. Then when the entire group had assembled to start the tour, the voice that emerged from her gave us a start even before the haunted tour had started!
Megan was a gem of a guide, taking us to the best spots on the Mile leading us on with interesting stories and history bites before leading us to the vaults where the amazing tour continued (with appropriate warnings about the haunted sections) before safely bringing everyone out.
I would highly recommend Megan if you want the right voice and atmosphere for the Auld Reekie haunted vaults (or any other) tour.
Megan was a gem of a guide, taking us to the best spots on the Mile leading us on with interesting stories and history bites before leading us to the vaults where the amazing tour continued (with appropriate warnings about the haunted sections) before safely bringing everyone out.
I would highly recommend Megan if you want the right voice and atmosphere for the Auld Reekie haunted vaults (or any other) tour.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeniseLawrence24
Manchester, UK
What time do they start?
Pubcat
Leighton Buzzard, UK56 contributions
Mine started at 5pm.
Jodie W
Crewe, UK
hello is this tour suitable for vision or hearing impaired
Aishah S
3 contributions
Hi there! Thanks for your question
It is not suitable for vision or hearing impaired. There are steep steps and quite dark rooms with difficult footing. As it is underground you have to look at the floor constantly to check where you’re standing and if there are steps around. To enter the vault there are very high steps you have to walk up. I hope this helps to answer your question and enjoy your stay in Edinburgh. Of course double check with the tour guide before or maybe call just to double check however I would not think it is suitable or safe enough
Take care
Aishah Saddique
Elaine55555555
1 contribution
My friend struggles with climbing stairs, a few are fine. Are there a lot on the Vaults tour?
Robin Anthony
1 contribution
Large step up/down at the entrance of tour. Not really suitable for an infirm person who has trouble with stairs unless some kind of sturdy footstool could be arranged in advance.
timsc-62
Whitley Bay, UK593 contributions
Hi. Is it claustrophobic in the vaults as my wife struggles.
DianeMarshall49
Birmingham, UK11 contributions
It is dark and gloomy but I wouldn’t call it claustrophobic. I chose not to go into one vault which was pitch black , some people stayed out too. I can feel claustrophobic at times but I managed ok. Also the guide did say to let her know if anyone was feeling anxiety and she could guide you out. Hope this helps.
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Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh provided by Auld Reekie Tours
Product Overview: Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh
| Prices From | $23 |
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| Number of Reviews | 1,299 |
| Number of Photos | 649 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |



























































