Walking Tours

Underground Vaults Tour

Duration

1 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.8/5(46)

Grant B

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

It is a unique place and experience that has a history many are almost certainly unaware of. Our tour guide Darren was sound and engaging , combining historical fact with some well timed humour, also adding in a couple of good ghost story frights that really added to the effect. A thoroughly enjoyable, if not slightly spooky experience

Explore the eerie and spooky side of Edinburgh on a 60-minute guided tour of the famous South Bridge vaults in the Old Town.

Set off on a guided journey through the vaults and discover how they evolved from merchant storage spaces into slums, taverns, and criminal hideouts.

Enter the notorious stone circle hidden within the vaults and hear lesser-known stories of its mysterious past from your guide.

Step inside a witchcraft temple, once used by a modern coven known as the “Source Coven of the Blue Dragon,” and learn why it was no longer safe for them to practise there.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for eerie sights while hearing stories about the criminals, body snatchers, and witches once linked to these spaces.

60-minute guided tour of Edinburgh’s most haunted vaults

Access to the South Bridge vaults in Edinburgh’s Old Town

Access to the stone circle in the vaults

Visit to a genuine witchcraft temple

Dark tales of the vaults’ past visitors and inhabitants

Private tours (available at an additional cost)

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

46 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
Grant B
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
It is a unique place and experience that has a history many are almost certainly unaware of. Our tour guide Darren was sound and engaging , combining historical fact with some well timed humour, also adding in a couple of good ghost story frights that really added to the effect. A thoroughly enjoyable, if not slightly spooky experience
Kiss V
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Jordan was an amazing guide, we loved every minute of our tour. His stories were very interesting and his performance was excellent. Also, I'm not sure when was the last time I met a guide this patient and kind, so we give Jordan an eeeeeasy 5 star review and would recommend the tour for anyone.
Marie B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Fantastic tour! Guide Darren was brillaint and absolutely made it. We were a group of 5 from 14 - 46 years and we all loved it. We also had to do a last minute change and the company were excellent and easy to deal with the the change. Would definitely recommend :)
Susan L
Couple
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Darren, our guide, was excellent giving us the right amount of drama and information so we could understand the dire conditions poor people had to endure
Nicola D
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
Very knowledgeable tour guide, Stewart, who had a good knowledge of all the interesting parts of the walk to the vaults. Would definitely recommend

Step into Edinburgh’s dark past on a 60-minute guided tour of the South Bridge vaults, uncovering eerie stories of crime and witchcraft beneath the Old Town.

Getting started

Meet your guide at 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PH. Have your tickets validated and begin your journey beneath the city streets, descending into the vaults that were once the haunt of criminals and suspected witches.

What to expect

Edinburgh’s Haunted Vaults

Hidden beneath South Bridge in Edinburgh’s Old Town, these vaults once served as storage spaces before falling into disrepair as slums and criminal hideouts. Today, they are known for eerie tours and chilling stories from the city’s dark past.

Features

The South Bridge vaults: Walk through underground chambers and discover how they evolved from merchant storage spaces into criminal hideouts.

Witchcraft temple: Enter a chamber once used by the Source Coven of the Blue Dragon and hear why the group abandoned this eerie space.

The stone circle: Stand within the mysterious stone circle hidden inside the vaults and uncover the dark folklore connected to it.

What’s not allowed

Alcohol is not permitted on the tour and anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry

Filming or live-streaming is strictly prohibited

Accessibility

The walking pace and uneven terrain may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties

The tour is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers

Additional information

Arrive 5–10 minutes early to ensure a prompt departure as tours start on time

The tour is not recommended for children under 5 years old

Children up to 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult

The tour begins at 300 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PH

The tour ends at 45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LG

The vault entrance and exit include a 2-foot step, followed by a single-floor spiral staircase and additional short sections of stairs inside

The vaults are lit mainly by candles, emergency lighting, and the guide’s torch, which may affect those with vision impairments

Tours run in all weather conditions, so dress accordingly

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.