Edinburgh Old Town Ghost Tour: Journey Through City's Dark Past with Humor and Fright
4.9
543 Ratings
Edinburgh
Embark on Edinburgh's original ghost tour and journey through the dark past of the city's Old Town. Explore cobbled passageways, hear tall tales, and encounter guaranteed ghastly appearances with a humorous twist.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cadies & Witchery Tours - Number 84 West Bow, down near the bottom of the not-so-sunny side of picturesque Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, is an unassuming address amongst the majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the shop today, you can find a cornucopia (we don’t use the word lightly; we looked it up and everything) of ghoulish and fantastical stationery, drinkware, ornaments, soft furnishings, original artwork and art prints, greeting cards, chess sets, and unique oddities hard to even describe.

In 2015 we also became (possibly) Scotland’s smallest museum, when the shop became host to a calling-card case made from the skin of the notorious 19th-century “body-snatcher” (actually murderer), William Burke. We can’t sell you that (mainly because even the experts on Antiques Roadshow couldn’t give us a valuation of it) but we have produced a rather spiffing souvenir newspaper taken from our own vaults and covering Burke & Hare’s trial in some detail.

What's Included
  • Famous ‘Jumper-ooters’ experience
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Food and drink, unless specified
Additional Information

This is the premier ghost tour of Edinburgh, navigating the lanes of Old Town since 1984.

Alexander Clapperton (deceased), once a cemetery superintendent, is your guide. He mixes lore with levity and facts with fiction, while our creation, the ‘jumper-ooter’, ensures promising spine-chilling encounters.

Discover the stone-paved alleys around the Old Town and absorb chilling stories from the city’s shadowy history during this fun, outdoor 80-minute tour.

Our tours continue in all weather conditions - rain, snow, thunderstorms, and even clear skies. Hence, we advise visitors to dress suitably, and comfortable shoes are recommended.

  • Children must always be accompanied by at least one adult.
Location
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill
Meet outside the Witchery Restaurant, 5-10 minutes before the start of the tour.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(543 Ratings)
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Joshuabradley0226
Mar 18, 2024
Light on ghosts, heavy on fun! - This tour, while not particularly heavy on ghosts, packs in so much history about Edinburgh’s Old Town and does so with good-natured humor! If you’re a history buff and fan of puns, this tour is for you. Our tour guides were entertaining and informative; it will be a long time before I forget their unstoppable character work.
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Lynnewp1546vz
Mar 16, 2024
Best one I have been on - Been on couple ghost tours and this was by far the best very informative with some laughs and giggles and a few frights on the way my nephew 14 really enjoyed it .
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P4576bmjessicap
Mar 16, 2024
Witch tour and giggles - This tour is brilliant a must do, for the start of your evening, put together so well to bring smiles out with lots of claps
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B3190jjjoannem
Mar 11, 2024
Highly recommended - Excellent tour, very knowledgeable guide and very entertaining accompanying character. Highly recommended. Very good value for money too.
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Bal362636
Mar 11, 2024
Family fun - This was a great guided tour, which the whole family loved. It was informative, funny and lively. Definitely recommend 👍
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Y5247gddanielc
Mar 10, 2024
Witches and ghouls tour. - Fantastic tour from start to finish. Very informative and entertaining, would recommend anyone staying in Edinburgh to go 5 stars.
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Leahgp6775es
Mar 8, 2024
Amazing experience. - Amazing tour guide. Made it so enjoyable and such a fun experience. Perfect for those who love a wee bit of dark history made a wee bit light with some dark humour. Tour guides where so friendly. Would recommend and would do again.
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Carolln3931ce
Feb 22, 2024
Spooky Tour - Fantastic night. Mr. Clapperton (Deceased) and his sidekick were amazing guides, really brought Edinburgh and its spooky past to life. A real highlight of our trip, would recommend to anyone visiting!
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Emilyaa1760tz
Feb 18, 2024
A must do! - This was a very interesting and entertaining way of finding out about the history of the city. If we hadn’t have done this we would have walked past several historic landmarks without even noticing. We have 3 children 11,12 and 13 and they all enjoyed it too! It was very funny. Thoroughly recommended.
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Bronp2024
Feb 18, 2024
Great! - A highlight of our visit, entertaining and interesting. Alexander Clapperton (deceased) was a great guide and his assistant(s)/jumper outer was in good form
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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