About this tour
Walk through Edinburgh's Old Town as your guide unveils the grislier chapters of the city's past. Over 1 hour 45 minutes, you'll visit Canongate Kirkyard and Old Calton Cemetery whilst hearing about plague victims, the body-snatching trade that supplied anatomists, and the murderous exploits of Burke and Hare. The tour also covers witch trials and the supernatural folklore woven into Scotland's landscape—expect candid storytelling about how close you might have come to the stake centuries ago.
Highlights
- Canongate Kirkyard and Old Calton Cemetery gravesites
- Burke and Hare's 19th-century body-snatching operation
- Edinburgh's witch trials and execution sites
- Panoramic views across the Old Town skyline
- Scottish faerie mythology and local supernatural traditions
- Black Death impact on the city's layout and society
What to expect
This is a straightforward walking tour with a focus on social history rather than theatrics. Your guide will take you through actual cemeteries and streets where documented crimes and tragedies occurred, explaining the broader context—disease, poverty, medical demand—that drove these darker episodes. You'll hear about real people: victims, perpetrators, and the accused. Expect uneven cobblestones, narrow closes, and weather exposure. The pace is moderate but sustained; good footwear and fitness help.
Good to know
Wear waterproof layers; Scottish weather is unpredictable. The tour involves graveyard visits, so it's respectful and sobering rather than horror-themed. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals welcome. Nearby public transport available. No refreshments included.
Frequently asked
- How long does Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Halloween Tour take?
- Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Halloween Tour runs for approximately 1h 45m.
- How much does Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Halloween Tour cost?
- Prices start from GBP $25 per person. Final pricing varies by date, group size and any add-ons — confirmed at checkout via Viator.
- Where does Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Halloween Tour run?
- This tour operates around United Kingdom. Specific meeting points and pickup options are listed by the operator at checkout.
- Who runs Edinburgh: Dark Secrets of the Old Town Halloween Tour?
- The tour is sold and operated by its supplier through Viator. New Forest National Park earns a small commission on bookings made via the link, which keeps this site free for travellers.
- Is the tour confirmed at the listed price?
- The price shown is the operator's "from" price as of our last sync. Final price, currency conversion, group discounts and cancellation policy are confirmed at checkout — always review before paying.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original New Forest National Park summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.