Greyfriars Kirkyard tours, things to do and tickets

Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by one of the city's most infamous sons as they lead you around the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets.

Then, visit what is regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world at "Greyfriars Kirkyard." Finally, go deep underground and explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the streets. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers were used to house taverns and as storage space for illicit material, including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments.

Journey through over 400 years of history and hear terrifying true tales of hangings, torture, murders and witchcraft. Shiver at the weird noises and unexplained smells that make an appearance after dark!

Let us send a few shivers up your spine on this late evening, 75 minute, ghost tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The history of Scotland’s capital is one not just made up of royalty, inventors, writers and scholars but also murderers, witches, bodysnatchers even cannibals. Allow one of our costumed guides, who play one such roguish former citizen, to enlighten and frighten you for the evening. They’ll take you through the winding closes and darkened courts of the Old Town, all the while telling about the horrific events which took place there. Following that the you will journey to perhaps Scotland’s most haunted graveyard, Greyfriars Kirkyard. For the last part of the tour you’ll be taken down into our decidedly sinister underground vaults below South Bridge. This tour is perfect for lovers of scary stories and the bloodier side of Scotland’s history but is more relaxed in tone than our later extreme paranormal tour.

As darkness falls, and the witching hour creeps ever closer, join us for a spine tingling, late night, 80 minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town and underground. The often brutal past of Scotland’s capital creates a wholly unique, grand but somewhat unsettling atmosphere which lends itself to evening ghost tours. Let one of our costumed guides, playing an infamous, historical character, lead you through the Old Town’s winding closes, show you the notoriously haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard and reveal one of Edinburgh’s darkest secrets – the underground vaults that snake beneath the city. Hear gory, but always entertaining and revealing, tales of ghosts, torture, executions, murder, cannibalism and witchcraft. The scares on this tour do not depend on jump scares or cheap tricks but good storytelling.

The Greyfriars Kirkyard tour is perfect for everyone who wants to know more about Scottish history. The people buried within the Kirkyard made Edinburgh what it was. We'll share some of the most important, most interesting and most surprising stories about these rather fascinating people. And we'll do this in an entertaining, professional and respectful manner.

Greyfriars is a fascinating place that has links to some incredible stories from Scotland’s history (not 'just' Edinburgh's history). Their stories are the stories of Edinburgh. You’ll learn about these characters as you stand only inches away from where their bodies lie buried.

Hear the stories behind martyred Covenanters, an amusing artist, an infamous ghost, grave robbers, the Irish murderers Burke and Hare, a tortured spy and, of course, the devoted Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby.

Are you ready to ‘meet’ the ‘Dead of Old Edinburgh’?