Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
4.5
BEST SELLER
Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
By Auld Reekie Tours
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About
The Edinburgh Vaults, one of the city’s most fascinating sights, can only be accessed on a tour. This one focuses exclusively on the vaults, an underground warren below South Bridge in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Step inside with a local guide who’ll reveal tales of hardship and struggle in 18th-century Edinburgh, grisly stories from the city’s dark past, and lead you to a hidden witchcraft temple.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-99, max of 36 per group
Duration: 1h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Get access to the fascinating and rarely visited Edinburgh Vaults
- Enter a sinister underground world beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town
- Travel back to the 18th century, when crime and disease ruled the city
- Discover a side of the capital many visitors—and even locals—miss
- Professional guide
What's not included- Gratuities
- Greet your guide on the Royal Mile and escape the tourist trail to discover Edinburgh’s deepest secrets on this underground walking tour through the Edinburgh Vaults. These infamous vaults fill all 19 arches of South Bridge in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. As you walk, you’ll learn the hideous conditions in which Edinburgh’s poorer citizens lived during the 18th century. Descend into the dark, dank vaults and learn what it was like to live in the darkness—and which criminals sought their prey there. You’ll explore candlelit Niddry’s Wynd, visit a witchcraft temple with a haunted stone circle, and brave the Haunted Vault, where a myriad mysterious events have occurred.
- Start:
- 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PH, UKThe tour starts from the Tourist Information Police Box, outside of 300 Lawnmarket. This is on the opposite side of the road from Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. (55.949326, -3.192912) Please be there at least 5-10 minutes early as the tour will always depart on time.
End:- 45 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8752P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers 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.
- No toilet stops or toilets available during tour.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8752P1
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€24.08
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- KindredSpiritInvesti0 contributionsInteresting, factual and not to be missed!Went on the Terror Tour last night with James. Fabulous host which kept everyone interested with gruesome but factual tales of the vaults and Edinburghs history. Clear explanations and happy to answer questions. Fabulous general knowledge that kept the whole group engaged throughout. Thanks for a great evening. Mel and Mick (the witch). 100% recommend.Written 23 January 2025
- emmi-jl0 contributionsGreat evening but not for the faint of heart!Took this tour on a chilly January night! Fraser was our tour guide & was extremely knowledgeable & happy to answer any questions the group (only two people) had even if it wasn’t related to the tour. Clearly enjoys his job! The stories of the graveyard were incredibly interesting while the vaults were a bit unsettling. If you’re into the eerie or ghosts this is a great activity! If you have issues sleeping at night after hearing creepy stories, might not be for you. I really enjoyed this even though it did make it a bit difficult to sleep the next two evenings.Written 21 January 2025
- daniellF9673PS0 contributionsDo it!Excellent!! James was our tour guide. He had excellent knowledge of Edinburgh, the Vaults and its dark history. James had a passion for and was great at his job too. Made the tour fun, entertaining and enjoyable. Recommend doing the tour at night.. 👻Written 21 January 2025
- dannypZ4231NE0 contributionsGreat tour, lots of interest and the guide was fantasticWe booked onto this tour on the day, we wanted to go into the castle but that you need to book in advance... so a quick Google search bought up this one and we were not disappointed!! Rachel the guide was really knowledgeable, energetic and great fun. Can't recommend this tour or Rachel enough... its a great way to glimpse into the past of this historic city and the vaults are so intriguing, with the way Rachel talks you through really takes you back as though you were living amongst themWritten 21 January 2025
- lynnesW1205YP0 contributionsMacabre!James was fab and super informative. Think I may have snapped a spectre at the graveyard! It was supposed to be a photo of my husband but I got this instead!Written 20 January 2025
- Departure483459162400 contributionsAn excellent tourWe were on a 5:30pm in January tour so it was dark, which added to the atmosphere, but the streets were still relatively busy as we walked to both locations. Our guide was Darren, who was very personable and informative. He created a great atmosphere and is a fantastic story teller. My sister didn’t appreciate the few jump scares though! Would definitely do another tour with this company if we return to the city.Written 19 January 2025
- X226YIstephenc0 contributionsGhost and vault tour not to be missedThe guide absolutely made this tour incredible, he made it enjoyable, fun, scary at the same time, was a joy to be apart ofWritten 15 January 2025
- X5185ZLvictoriar0 contributionsInteresting histories and stories; excellent guideIt was a super interesting tour with history and a spooky factor! Our tour guide Rachel was full of information, stories, and personality. She made the experience super fun.Written 14 January 2025
- 996chelseyr0 contributionsWonderful !Rachel was fantastic! Kept the audience attentive and engaged throughout. Great experience to learn about Scottish history, and a great use of my time in the city. Highly recommend!Written 14 January 2025
- _Y8003KB0 contributionsSuper fun and spookyLovely experience! Learned many facts about Edinburgh! And enjoyed the spooky atmosphere! James was a super fun tour guide! Definitely recommendWritten 14 January 2025
- vasilisv2630 contributionsSplendid!!Such an amazing experience! James was our tour guide and did a fantastic job on giving us plenty of information, stories and having a very chill vibe overallWritten 14 January 2025
- hannahpJ1483YA0 contributionsGreat tourLouisa was our tour guide. She was brilliant, entertaining and answered all out questions. The tour started above ground and then went into the vaults. The stories and history that was told was really inter and I especially loved the witches circle.Written 14 January 2025
- Y1080QFsarahs0 contributionsgraveyard and vault tourSuper experience with great tour guide ! interesting facts about history. i would recommend it for a fun tour in edimbourg!Written 13 January 2025
- 277dannid0 contributionsFantastic Spooky ExperienceThis tour is a must! Me and my partner did the tour last night, we had Darren as our tour guide who was brilliant! Very funny and a fantastic story teller. I was actually really scared at one point ( which was great for the experience) me and my partner had the best evening! Thank you, we will definitely be going back again in a few months time!Written 12 January 2025
- 401rebekahg0 contributionsFantastic tourAbsolutely fantastic. Our guide Darren was wonderful and made the tour more enjoyable. Would definitely recommend it to all of my friends and familyWritten 11 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
5,010 reviews
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485
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162
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64
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66
Halcatra
Edinburgh, UK473 contributions
Jan 2020
I really enjoyed my tour with Ewan. Edinburgh vaults are very interesting place in the city so I was happy to see at least some parts of the underground system. Ewan is a great storyteller and we had a great time with him. I would recommend to wear comfortable shoes, preferably walking boots - the surface in the vaults is not flat. What's more, you need to be aware that South Bridge is not waterproof, and as a result you will need to go through some puddles.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager743464
Peterborough, UK6 contributions
Feb 2020
Our tour was conducted by Barbara. She was an excellent and informative guide with lots of interesting facts about Edinburgh and was able to answer all our many questions. I don't normally write reviews but I was impressed and think it is well worth the £12. I did go with my elderly parents though and as such I'd recommend taking a small torch if you struggle with surfaces that are not level (it is very dark underground and in spite of the torch Barbara carried it can be a bit difficult to see steps etc).
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Win
9 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Tuesday our guide was amazing! Really interesting, engaging and respectful both of the tour guests and the historical significance of the site.
Personally I’m a massive everything skeptic and love all the guts, gore and creepy stories so maybe I should have chosen a haunted tour for a bit more of this but would assume they would be more performance less actual info. Tuesday gave a good balance between not panicking the more scared in our group and quenching my thirst for more of the dark details. She also added in several of the rooms that if we wanted more ‘dark stories’ she would provide them afterwards for those who wanted: almost everyone stayed for this!
Loved it, would highly recommend, thank you Tuesday!
Personally I’m a massive everything skeptic and love all the guts, gore and creepy stories so maybe I should have chosen a haunted tour for a bit more of this but would assume they would be more performance less actual info. Tuesday gave a good balance between not panicking the more scared in our group and quenching my thirst for more of the dark details. She also added in several of the rooms that if we wanted more ‘dark stories’ she would provide them afterwards for those who wanted: almost everyone stayed for this!
Loved it, would highly recommend, thank you Tuesday!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gianni P
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Couples
We booked this tour expecting a more historical approach to the Edinburgh vaults than some of the other tours which market themselves as ‘ghost’ tours. Unfortunately, this tour fell flat as both a historical and a ghost tour.
On the historical side, the facts given were entirely superficial. The tour guide spent most of the tour telling us that she’d later expand on the history without ever providing any meaningful insight into the goings on in the vault.
As far as it worked as a ghost tour, the guide never delved any deeper than telling us that there have been alleged paranormal occurrences. She explicitly said that the intention of the tour wasn’t to provide any jump scares but the lack of both horror and history left the tour without much content, particularly for its price.
Overall, we were left feeling that we could have had a better experience of the vaults by spending the hour at the underground pub next door.
On the historical side, the facts given were entirely superficial. The tour guide spent most of the tour telling us that she’d later expand on the history without ever providing any meaningful insight into the goings on in the vault.
As far as it worked as a ghost tour, the guide never delved any deeper than telling us that there have been alleged paranormal occurrences. She explicitly said that the intention of the tour wasn’t to provide any jump scares but the lack of both horror and history left the tour without much content, particularly for its price.
Overall, we were left feeling that we could have had a better experience of the vaults by spending the hour at the underground pub next door.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psully136
Leeds, UK2 contributions
Aug 2021
This tour was brilliant. Our guide Aimee was excellent. She's a knowledgeable story teller with just the right amount of darkness and humour. With two kids age 9 and 12, the Vaults Tour seemed the most age appropriate from the info on the website. The kids (and the adults) were spooked but thoroughly enjoyed being scared by Aimee's stories of torture and the supernatural and the eerie atmosphere of the underground vaults. It really is somewhere you should see whilst you're in Edinburgh. Thanks for the experience.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are so glad that you had a brilliant experience on your tour with Aimee and we will pass along your kind words.
Written 20 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa G
10 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We booked onto the tour less than 24 hours in advance as we had enjoyed our experience at Mary Kings close the day before. This was definitely less touristy and more personal. We were a group of 6 in total making the experience even more enjoyable without the large groups usually gathered at tourist trails. Our guid was Markus ( I think I’ve spelt that right given he was Irish!) me and my partner could of listened to him talk all day! Brilliant knowledge of not just the vaults but areas around the royal mile as we made our way down!
Once inside there was a great eerie atmosphere which is great if that’s what you’re looking for. We were shown multiple vaults, each one with thier own stories and history. If you want to be scared then this one is for you. My partner opted to go inside a stone circle, he even laid down in it!! Let’s just hope nothing malevolent follows us back home.
Such an enjoyable and energetic hour, highly recommend you book this on your trip to the old town
Once inside there was a great eerie atmosphere which is great if that’s what you’re looking for. We were shown multiple vaults, each one with thier own stories and history. If you want to be scared then this one is for you. My partner opted to go inside a stone circle, he even laid down in it!! Let’s just hope nothing malevolent follows us back home.
Such an enjoyable and energetic hour, highly recommend you book this on your trip to the old town
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KEELAN B
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Friends
I brought my American friends on this tour as I had heard great things about it and it did not disappoint or I should say Frazer did not disappoint. He kept everyone gripped on his storytelling and was also able to lighten the mood with his charm and humour. Edinburgh city is full of beauty breathtaking views but it was great to learn of her darker colourings. Would thoroughly recommend if not for the spooky side, Frazers cheekbones and accent are more than worth it 😅
Written 28 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie
6 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
Our guide Stewart was superb and really knowledgeable, making the whole experience fun yet informative. Beforehand, we had people in our group who weren’t keen in taking part in the tour, yet their opinions were soon changed. The tour was great value for money and is a must to anyone visiting Edinburgh, as you learn much more than you would as opposed to walking around yourself!
Again, a massive thanks to our tour guide, Stewart for making it so enjoyable!
Again, a massive thanks to our tour guide, Stewart for making it so enjoyable!
Written 8 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wildheart
1 contribution
Sept 2021 • Family
Andrew was our tour guide and he was lovely. Knowledgeable and very good at telling the story of such a fascinating city, it's infamous villains and ghosts. A great balance of knowledge and humour, tour was conducted in a way that it could hold the attention of the two teenagers I had brought with me. The vaults were super interesting and I would highly recommend this for anyone with an interest in history or even the paranormal.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your nice review! It makes our day when we see customers enjoy their experience here :)
Written 5 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cat S
8 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Tour guide Andrew was brilliant. He made the tour come to life with his excellent story telling. His knowledge was second to none and he was able to answer all our questions with confidence and throw the odd joke in there too. The tour itself felt quite short as part of it was above ground with a bit of history about the surrounding area. Id have liked to spend a bit more time actually in the vaults but thats just my personal preference. I would gladly recommend auld reekie tours and will be using them again the next time i explore more of the city.
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, es con audio guia en español. Gracias
Written 30 October 2024
I d9 not know. Perhaps going to the Auld Reekie website?
Written 31 October 2024
Chiayu
Taiwan
Would any crew be able to pick us up at 45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK? What will they be wearing or carrying as identification?
Written 4 June 2024
It’s on the Tripadvisor app page
Search Edinburgh Underground Vaults walking tour
Written 31 October 2024
Yes, great for all ages.
Written 30 November 2022
There isn’t actually anyone hiding who jumps out at you but the guide we had engages in a little fun where he turns out the light and then chooses someone to stand directly in front of when he turns the like back on - stuff like that !
Written 14 August 2022
When you go to purchase tickets and pick a date it will show you the times they have available. But I remember they basically had a tour about every hour starting around 10am and even haunted night tours after dark. However since it is underground it not one of the tours that you have to wait till dark to do!
Written 2 June 2022
Can you book this tour last minute, say about an hour before it’s due to start, please?
Written 27 May 2022
We booked well in advance and people trying to book on the day were turned down
Written 28 May 2022
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