Book Edinburgh: Old Town Witches Tour & Underground Vault tickets & uncover Scotland’s darker history
Step into the haunted heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town on an immersive walking tour led by a costumed character guide. Follow cobbled streets, winding wynds and hidden closes as true history, folklore and gripping storytelling bring the city’s darker past to life.
- Follow a professional character guide through Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town
- Hear the true and often tragic stories of Scotland’s accused witches
- Explore historic closes, winding wynds and cobbled streets
- See landmarks including St Giles’ Cathedral, the Heart of Midlothian and the Witches’ Well
- Pass Victoria Street, the Writers’ Museum and viewpoints near Edinburgh Castle
- Finish in Grassmarket, a historic square once associated with public executions
- Enjoy 75 minutes of thought-provoking history and seriously good storytelling
Edinburgh: Old Town Witches Tour & Underground Vault details
- Recommended Age: Suitable for ages 8+ due to the true historical content and detailed storytelling
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Group Size: Maximum public capacity of 30 guests
- Fitness Level: Light to moderate walking at a steady pace, with frequent storytelling stops
- Meeting Point: Corner of Caffè Nero, opposite the Mercat Cross beside the Adam Smith statue, 1 Parliament Square, 192 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF
- Finish Point: Grassmarket, Edinburgh
- Tickets Include: A fully guided walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town led by a professional character guide
- Please Note: The supplied official information does not confirm that entry to an underground vault is included
Hear the true stories of Scotland’s accused witches
As you explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, your costumed guide will shine a respectful light on the people accused of witchcraft, including the lives they led, the trials they faced and the injustices they endured.
- Geillis Duncan: Hear the story of the accused witch whose name later appeared in Outlander
- Lillias Adie: Discover the account of one of Scotland’s best-known accused witches
- The Warlock of Westbow: Uncover a mysterious tale connected to Edinburgh’s Old Town
- Agnes Sampson: Learn about one of the people accused during Scotland’s witch trials
- Maggie Dickson: Hear the extraordinary story of “Half-Hangit Maggie” and her connection to Grassmarket
Explore haunted history, iconic landmarks & Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town
The city becomes the stage as your guide leads you through historic streets and shares real accounts alongside Edinburgh’s folklore and supernatural stories.
- St Giles’ Cathedral: Pass the cathedral’s soaring spire in the heart of the Old Town
- Heart of Midlothian: Discover one of the Royal Mile’s most recognisable historic markers
- Writers’ Museum: Pass a landmark connected to Scotland’s literary history
- Witches’ Well: Pause at the memorial associated with Scotland’s accused witches
- Victoria Street: Walk along one of Edinburgh’s famously curved and colourful streets
- Edinburgh Castle: Take in views around the historic fortress
- Grassmarket: Finish in a square steeped in stories of executions, hauntings and dramatic history
The route includes hills, steps, cobbles and uneven surfaces, so it is not suitable for visitors with mobility impairments. Tours operate throughout the year and in all weather conditions, so wear comfortable footwear and dress for the forecast.
Book Edinburgh: Old Town Witches Tour & Underground Vault tickets today and discover the real people, troubling history and strange stories hiding within Edinburgh’s Old Town.