Walking Tours

Haunted Vaults Tour

Explore Edinburgh’s haunted underground on a guided tour of the paranormally active Niddry Street vaults from the 1700s, hidden beneath the Old Town.

Walk through the extensive 18th-century vault network, once used as slum dwellings and hideouts for the city’s criminal underworld.

Visit a medieval torture exhibition featuring gruesome instruments from the late 1500s, similar to those once used in Edinburgh’s history.

View the preserved site of a former Wiccan coven and learn about its mysterious past and former occupants.

Hear chilling stories of paranormal activity and ghostly apparitions said to haunt these underground chambers within Edinburgh’s most extensive haunted vault network.

60-minute guided walking tour of Edinburgh’s underground vaults

Visit to a medieval torture exhibition

Viewing of a former Wiccan coven site

Guided insights and tales of paranormal activity and ghostly apparitions

Transportation to and from meeting point

Food and drinks

Gratuities

Personal expenses

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

16 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Miranda P
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Darren was an excellent tour guide on our tour of the city vaults! Very informative and funny.
Mrs Sarah K
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Charlie was very professional, knowledgeable and likeable.
Karen P
Solo
Verified booking
Sep 2026
The tour guide was very informative and entertaining. She made the tour great fun
Steven S
Couple
Verified booking
Oct 2026
Alex had enough energy for two guides, a flair for dramatic and entertaining
Katherine C
Couple
Verified booking
Sep 2026
Very educational. The guide was very charismatic and entertaining

View torture equipment, listen to stories, and explore Edinburgh’s haunted history on a 60-minute guided tour of its underground vaults.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the designated starting point. After a quick introduction and ticket validation, descend into the hidden 1700s vaults beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town and begin your chilling journey into the city’s dark history.

What to expect

Edinburgh’s Haunted Vaults

The Niddry Street vaults, dating back to the 1700s, were once slum dwellings and hideouts for the city’s criminal underworld. Today, they are a popular destination for underground tours and are reputedly paranormally active.

Features

Medieval Torture Exhibition: Explore a collection of gruesome instruments from the late 1500s and learn how they were used back in the day.

Former Wiccan Coven: Step inside a site preserved as its previous occupants left it. Learn about the practices of a former Wiccan coven and the history of witchcraft in the city.

Stories and Insight: Hear accounts of slum dwellings, the wretched and destitute, and the criminal underworld that once inhabited these underground chambers.

What to bring

Keep your tickets ready to present at the entrance.

Carry an extra layer, as tours operate in all weather conditions.

What’s not allowed

Alcohol is not allowed on the tour. Guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be denied entry.

Filming or live streaming during the tour is not permitted.

Accessibility

This tour may not be suitable for guests with mobility limitations.

Assistance animals are welcome on the tour.

Additional information

The tour takes place at 5pm and 7pm and lasts approximately 60 minutes.

The meeting point is 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PH, and the tour finishes at 45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LG.

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

The tour cannot be delayed for late arrivals.

Tours operate in all weather, so dress accordingly.

Restroom facilities are not available at the meeting point or during the tour.

Certain locations and stories may be distressing for some visitors.

Children under 2 years old are not permitted.

The experience is not recommended for children under 12.

Guests aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Group sizes are limited to 36 participants.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

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