Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

Edinburgh, Scotland

1 hour
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

Step into Edinburgh’s hidden underground vaults with a guide
Explore the winding passageways and hear grisly stories from their dark past
Hear tales of hardship and struggle in 18th-century Edinburgh
Explore a side to the Scottish capital many visitors miss

What's Included

Professional guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UK
The tour starts from the Tourist Information Police Box, outside of 300 Lawnmarket, EH1 2PH. This is on the opposite side of the road from Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as we depart promptly at the tour time and will not wait for latecomers.

End point

45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK

What To Expect

Make your own way to the meetup location in Edinburgh’s Old Town prior to the tour’s departure time. After meeting your guide and group, it’s time to head for the infamous vaults hidden under the South Bridge.

As you walk, your guide provides background information on why the vaults were built and why they were eventually abandoned. Deep underground, in the dark and chilly vaults, your guide tells you tales of the criminalls who once stalked the vaults and how Edinburgh’s homeless community once sought refuge there.

Decide for yourself whether or not you dare to step inside the stone circle when you enter a former witchcraft temple, then (if you dare) experience the eerie atmosphere of the haunted vault, so called for the many ghostly sightings that have occurred there.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Children must be accompanied by an adult
not suitable for children under 5 years of age, children under 2 years of age are not allowed on tour.
Entrance/Exit to the vaults is via a 2 foot tall step followed by single flight spiral staircase.

Mezzanine staircases of 5-7 steps inside vaults between levels.
Alcohol/Drugs are strictly forbidden and anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
Non-service animals are not allowed.
• Some historical content may be of a distressing nature with regards but not exclusively to Torture, Hangings, Death
The walking pace and terrain may not be suitable for those with any difficulty walking.
We do not have any luggage storage so please make alternate arrangements.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

5,566 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 5,566 reviews

Excellent value for money

Nikhil_S, May 2024

Dom was a phenomenonal guide. Some of the stories he told us were chilling. Especially worth it for some of the rooms inside the vault.

Fair to partly cloudy.

Carmen_C, May 2024

The underground vault tour was led by Eric, who did a nice job, he was knowledgeable and funny, but it was not as exciting as I had hoped.

Edinburghs past

Jaclyn_T, May 2024

This was a fascinating glimpse into Edinburghs past! As a connected person, there was a good level of being uncomfortable with the spirits that remain. Shortly after I left this tour, a bruise in the form of a handprint was noted to have grabbed my left arm.

Eric is a great guide

Denise_C, May 2024

Eric, our tour guide, was engaging and entertaining. He kept a good pace and was mindful of our safety in the vaults and steps. He had a lot of interesting information and stories to share with the group and appeared to enjoy his job.

Underwhelmed

Arend_B, May 2024

Eric was a great guide and provided some details of the history of Edinburgh's inhabitants during the eighteenth century. Particularly those of a lower socio-economic status. However, the tour consisted largely of wandering through a few passages underground with an emphasis being given to occult activity, which was perhaps a subtle means to encourage invitation to participate in their ghost tours. Quite certain this is where their forte lies.

Cool & Unique

Alice_G, May 2024

This was a really fun, unique, and informative experience. You get to see the underground vaults of Edinburgh and learn about the various spooky and nefarious things that happened in them. The meeting point is central and the tour is just the right length.

Definitely worth doing this tour with Eric.

VarunPratap_S, May 2024

Great guide Eric, really enjoyed our time going through the underground vaults, will recommend for sure!!

Something different. Tick that box

Pauline_W, May 2024

This was a fun tour, highlighting a part of Edinburgh’s history not usually known. Worth doing. Jordan was a as good tour guide, taking care to include everyone

Intrigue historical

Jennifer_H, May 2024

Our guide, (Jason?)made the underground interesting. Jason delivered facts and information with great enthusiasm which was contagious. He used historical facts with some intrigue added in, making this a worthwhile tour.

Shout out to Louisa, the best guide!

Anna_D, Apr 2024

Shout out to Louisa for being a STELLAR tour guide. She was prompt, professional, articulate, projected well throughout the entire time we were exploring above and below South Bridge, and interjected humor throughout her tour. Highly recommended for all to be educated on the history below the city roads!

An excellent whisky tasting experience with an awesome host at n Edinburgh. Highly recommended.

JaneMarie_D, Apr 2024

Our host Julie was excellent. We have done 4 tours in Scotland and she was our best guide by far. Informative entertaining knowledgeable and fun x I was riveted to her from start to finish. Her stories were fabulous x my husband loved the whiskey tasting experience and I enjoyed the experience with a couple of wines x thank you Julie so much. An awesome experience.

Great tour, great guide

Beth_C, Apr 2024

Louisa was a great tour guide, gave an interesting and enjoyable tour. The vaults were fascinating, and hearing the stories to accompany it was great.

Fab

nicola_c, Apr 2024

Had a great time, such an interesting tour and the guid Stuart was excellent. Would definitely recommend

Great experience. Louisa...

carrie_l, Apr 2024

Great experience. Louisa our guide was very good and made it very enjoyable and interesting. Worth doing whilst in Edinburgh x

Fine

Nagin_L, Apr 2024

All of the tour was interesting insight into such network of underground places. Could be rather claustrophobic for some individuals.

Edinburgh Underground Vault Tour

Vegard_S, Apr 2024

Exciting tour with a committed and knowledgeable guide! We really enjoyed the tour through the Old Town & the underground Vaults.

Under the Streets!

Gillian_L, Apr 2024

The whole tour of the vaults was excellent, the journey through the streets that led to the vaults, with all of the history along the way was truly fascinating and we had an excellent guide with James, he knew his stuff and had a great way of giving out all of the facts about the vaults and tunnels.

Great guide, neat place

Kristin_W, Apr 2024

James was an amazing guide, he made the trip to the Edinburgh Vaults fun and safe. He was knowledgeable and obviously liked his job. We had a great time and recommend this activity!

Underground tour

Maura_T, Apr 2024

James made the tour. It was cool to see but we could have walked through in 5 min but James’ story telling made it come to life and he was very enthusiastic. Well done James

Fun Experience

Liam_S, Apr 2024

The guide James did a wonderful job making the tour fun. It was a cool way to spend an hour in Edinburgh

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