Walking Tours

Underground Vaults Tour

4.7/5(77)

Brooke M

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Alex was very knowledgeable and we could tell she enjoys her job. The vaults had retained their original looks and left you imagining how they were used in early days. I would definitely recommend visiting the vaults, the prices are reasonable for a budget holiday, the guide very knowledgeable and the vaults were so interesting. Thanks Alex!

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.

77 reviews
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What our guests say
Merve O
Solo
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The tour guy was great. But I guess I had high expectations since vaults does not seem that much attractive to me. But anyways if you are into the history give it a try
Brooke M
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Alex was very knowledgeable and we could tell she enjoys her job. The vaults had retained their original looks and left you imagining how they were used in early days. I would definitely recommend visiting the vaults, the prices are reasonable for a budget holiday, the guide very knowledgeable and the vaults were so interesting. Thanks Alex!
Mrs Lada T
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
It was an interesting experience, our guide Lisa was very artistic. But we expected to spend more time underground with more historical facts and a little bit more flexibility for the foreign tourists translator. It was not fair for my not English speaking friend to find out what was actually said during the tour after wards.
Trina H
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Louisa was our tour guide, she was fab, very informative, interesting and helpful. My daughter walked through the cursed stone circle. Louisa joked we were now cursed and could be in a minor car accident. My daughter and I were on our way home and our car has broken down 😅
Curtis W
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
We had Louisa as our tour guide, she was great. We brought our 8 year old with us and she gave us a heads up on any of the super scary bits and what she was going to talk about to see if we were ok with her being there. Very interesting tour, we enjoyed it.

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.