Edinburgh Old Town: Underground Vaults Walking Tour & Haunted Stories

Summary

Edinburgh’s shadowy vaults and haunted legends beneath the Royal Mile

You’ll descend beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with a local guide, exploring candlelit vaults where stories of crime and witchcraft come alive. Feel ancient stones underfoot, see a real witchcraft temple, and decide if you’ll brave the haunted stone circle yourself. It’s eerie, fascinating—and you might leave with more questions than answers.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to feel so thick down there. We started on the Royal Mile, dodging a hen party and a guy in a kilt (not for show, apparently), before our guide—Fraser, with this dry Scottish humor—led us to a door I’d never noticed. He said something about the city’s filth in the 1700s that made me laugh and gag at the same time. The main keyword here is “underground vaults tour Edinburgh”—but honestly, it felt more like stepping into a forgotten lung of the city than any “tour.”

The stone steps were slick, and someone behind me muttered about horror films. Candlelight flickered off damp walls; it smelled of old earth and something metallic, maybe from centuries of people packed in here. Fraser pointed out scratch marks—real ones—from when these were slums. He told us about body snatchers and witches like he was talking about his neighbors. When we reached what he called the witchcraft temple (I nearly tripped on the uneven floor), he warned us not to step inside the stone circle unless we really wanted to risk it. Someone did anyway. Nothing happened… or maybe I just didn’t notice at first.

I kept thinking about how quiet it got down there, except for Fraser’s voice echoing off stone and someone’s nervous laugh bouncing back at us. You could almost hear water dripping somewhere deeper in the dark. The private vaults tour from Edinburgh Old Town isn’t for anyone who hates small spaces or ghost stories—I mean, I’m not sure I believe in spirits but even my hands felt colder than usual. There was this moment when my phone camera glitched right as Fraser talked about sightings in that last room. Probably nothing, but still.

We ended up blinking back into daylight on South Bridge, feeling weirdly relieved but also wanting to go back in for one more look—not that I would’ve done it alone. If you’re curious or just want to see another side of Edinburgh (the side most people walk over without knowing), this is worth it for those strange goosebumps alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Edinburgh Old Town and Vaults

• Meet at Tron Kirk on Royal Mile
• Learn about 1700s Edinburgh town life
• Hear tales of disease and waste
• Walk candlelit Niddry's Wynd with guide
• Explore former slums and vaults
• Visit genuine witchcraft temple
• Decide to enter haunted stone circle
• Experience eerie Haunted Vault atmosphere
• Take photographs and observe surroundings

Top questions

How long does the underground vaults walking tour take?

The tour duration isn’t specified but typically lasts around 75-90 minutes based on similar experiences.

Is the Edinburgh Old Town vaults tour suitable for children?

Children under 5 are not allowed; those under 2 cannot join at all. Some content may be distressing for young kids.

Where does the underground vaults tour start?

The tour starts at Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh Old Town.

Are there toilets available during the underground vaults tour?

No toilet stops or toilets are available during the tour.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide at Tron Kirk on Royal Mile.

Are service animals allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Can you take photos inside the Edinburgh vaults?

Yes, photographs are recommended—you might even catch something ghostly!

Is public transportation nearby for getting to the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Tron Kirk.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided entry into Edinburgh’s underground vaults with a professional local guide sharing stories along dimly lit passages; you’ll visit a real witchcraft temple recently used by a Wiccan coven—all starting from Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile before returning above ground together at South Bridge.