Edinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults Tour with Storyteller

Summary

Chilling tales & echoing footsteps below Edinburgh’s Old Town

You’ll slip beneath Edinburgh’s busy streets into shadowy vaults most people never see, guided by a master storyteller who brings true tales of murderers and restless spirits to life. With immersive audio and small groups, you’ll sense every chill and echo — and maybe leave wondering what’s real.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the air changed as we ducked off the Royal Mile — colder, heavier, almost damp against my skin. Our guide, Isla, wore this long black cloak (not sure if it was for drama or just warmth) and started us down these narrow closes. You could still hear faint bagpipes from above, but everything else faded out. I tried to imagine what it was like centuries ago, before the vaults got their haunted reputation. Isla laughed when someone asked if she believed in ghosts — “Ask me again at the end,” she said.

We slipped through a door that looked like it belonged in a Dickens novel and suddenly we were inside the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The stone walls sweated with moisture and there was this odd earthy smell, like wet clay mixed with old wood smoke. Isla handed out little audio devices so we could catch every whisper of her stories — apparently they pipe in sounds from above ground too, which is clever but honestly made it feel even more real. She told us about murderers hiding here, vagrants crammed into pitch-black corners. At one point I swear I felt a cold draft on my neck; maybe just my imagination running wild.

I kept glancing at the shadows, half-expecting to see something move. The stories weren’t cheesy or overdone — no jump scares or silly props — just real things that happened right here under Edinburgh’s feet. Someone in our group tried to pronounce “Auld Reekie” and botched it; Isla grinned and said locals would forgive us as long as we didn’t call it “Edin-burg.” Funny how you remember those little moments more than anything else.

By the time we climbed back up to daylight, my hands were cold but I couldn’t stop thinking about those vaults — how many lives passed through there, all that silence pressed between stone walls. If you’re looking for a haunted underground vaults tour in Edinburgh that actually feels honest (and not like a Halloween theme park), this is probably it. Still gives me goosebumps thinking about that echoing quiet down there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Haunted underground vaults tour

• Meet at tour meeting point
• Hear true stories of spirits
• Descend into haunted underground vaults

Top questions

How long does the haunted underground vaults tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but tours are designed for small groups and include time exploring both above ground closes and the Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Are children allowed on the Edinburgh vaults tour?

No babies or children under 5 are permitted on this tour.

Is pickup included for this haunted underground vaults tour?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at a central point in Edinburgh Old Town.

What should I wear for the Blair Street Underground Vaults tour?

Dress for the weather above ground and wear comfortable shoes; it can be damp and cool inside the vaults.

Are service animals allowed on this ghost tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is public transport available near the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby in Edinburgh Old Town.

What’s included

Your evening includes exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults with a master storyteller guide leading your small group through shadowy closes and hidden chambers. You’ll use immersive TourTalk audio devices enhanced with atmospheric sounds of Edinburgh to catch every detail along your haunted journey beneath Old Town.