Descend beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town with Auld Reekie Tours on The Vaults Tour — a spine-tingling adventure through haunted chambers steeped in crime, witchcraft, and history. Dare to uncover what lurks below?
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
60 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels, but requires basic mobility to navigate uneven floors and stairs.
Wildlife
History
The South Bridge vaults originally served as workshops and storage in the 18th century, later descending into slums where some of Edinburgh's darkest stories unfolded.
Conservation
Auld Reekie Tours maintains the vaults with respect for their historical integrity, minimizing visitor impact while preserving sensitive structures and cultural heritage.
Auld Reekie Tours
Descend beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town with Auld Reekie Tours on The Vaults Tour — a spine-tingling adventure through haunted chambers steeped in crime, witchcraft, and history. Dare to uncover what lurks below?
Auld Reekie Tours is a specialist tour operator based in Edinburgh, Scotland, offering guided ghost and history tours focused on the city's underground vaults and haunted landmarks. The company leads visitors through authentic sites in Edinburgh's Old Town, including the South Bridge vaults, the Niddry Street vaults, Greyfriars Graveyard, and routes along the Royal Mile. Each tour is guided by an expert who presents documented history, local folklore, and first-hand accounts to place guests in the historical context of 18th- and 19th-century Edinburgh.
Tours are structured as short, focused experiences lasting between 60 and 90 minutes, designed to appeal to both visitors seeking historical insight and those drawn to paranormal stories. Offerings include the Haunted Vaults Tour (60 minutes), the Vaults & Graveyard Tour (90 minutes), The Terror Tour (75 minutes), and The Vaults Tour. Guides point out architectural details, documented events, and preserved features of the vaults while explaining how slum dwellings, crime, and social conditions shaped the area’s reputation.
Auld Reekie Tours operates solely in Edinburgh and emphasizes factual storytelling rooted in known sites and local tradition. The company’s itineraries consistently highlight the physical locations named in tour descriptions—Greyfriars Graveyard, South Bridge vaults, Niddry Street vaults, and the Royal Mile—ensuring guests see the same historic places referenced in promotional material.
Visitors can expect guided, on-foot tours suitable for those able to navigate narrow underground spaces and historic streets.
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
Historic Old Town setting
Tour Lengths
60–90 minutes
Short, guided experiences
Tours Offered
4 tours
Varied haunted routes
Key Sites
Greyfriars, Royal Mile, Vaults
Famous Edinburgh locations
Reserve a 60–90 minute guided experience through Edinburgh’s vaults and graveyard legends — limited group sizes, expert guides, unforgettable stories.
Wear sturdy shoes for uneven underground terrain
The vaults have uneven cobbled floors and low lighting, so solid footwear is crucial for safety and comfort.
Arrive early to avoid missing the tour
Tours run on a strict schedule and won't wait for latecomers; plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before your start time.
Not recommended for those with mobility issues
The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces and narrow passages that may be difficult for people with limited mobility.
Dress for Scotland’s unpredictable weather
While underground areas are sheltered, you’ll spend some time outside walking between sites—bring a waterproof jacket.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supports foot stability on uneven and cobbled underground surfaces.
Light jacket or waterproof
Protects against Scotland’s frequent rain and variable temperatures.
spring|fall|winter
Small flashlight
Helpful for seeing details in darker vault corners if allowed.
Camera
Capture unique underground spaces and street scenes along the Royal Mile.