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Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour

3 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Edinburgh, Scotland
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 4 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish
Instant confirmation

Overview

What’s reported to be the most haunted place in Edinburgh? What inspired the story of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde? What happened to witched in medieval Edinburgh? Where is Voldemort buried? All these questions answered and more!

Walk with me through the uneasy history of Edinburgh’s dark side. We’ll start at Edinburgh’s most infamous cemetery and then walk the footsteps of criminals, witches, tragedy and maybe even ghosts. You’ll learn about the city’s blood soaked past through locations, anecdotes and stories - and some hidden gems.

You’ll be guided through the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town at a gentle pace to see some amazing locations and be shown pictures on a screen to bring the history to life.

You’ll get a specially designed souvenir map, a tour guidebook and the opportunity to win a prize.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking and be aware that there are no public toilets on the route. Some topics may be unsuitable for young children.

What's Included

  • Leaflets and flyers to all attractions of interest.
  • English Speaking and Written Guide
  • Any entrance to attractions we pass
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Chambers Street
Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Greyfriars Kirk (pass by)

A hot spot of the darker side of Edinburgh including Greyfriars Bobby, The Covenanters Prison and some Harry Potter points of interest!
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Grassmarket (pass by)

A place where public executions occurred and also some ghostly tales.
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Royal Mile (pass by)

Including Advocates Close, The Castle, Mary Kings Close, Old Fishmarket Close and Paisley Close - all with tales of death and criminality.
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Edinburgh Castle (pass by)

The centre of this historic city, with a lot of bloody history.
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Paisley Close (pass by)

The history of the tragedy of Paisley Close.
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John Knox House Museum (pass by)

See the house once occupied by a key character in the reformation, John Knox.
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Flodden Wall (pass by)

See one of the last remaining parts of the famous Flodden Wall.
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Cowgate (pass by)

See the lowest part of the Old Town where the slums used to be.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh’s Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

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

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-5510578P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
3 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
3
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 30 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Leaflets and flyers to all attractions of interest.
  • English Speaking and Written Guide
  • Any entrance to attractions we pass

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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