mercat tours edinburgh vaults

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A Mercat Tours Storyteller shines a torch on an arch for a tour group, in the Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh.

Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh

Mercat Tours - Historic Underground

Get exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh. Built in the 18th century beneath South Bridge, we’re the only walking tour company with access.

Beneath the bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town you’ll discover a dark, damp world unchanged since the 18th century. Your expert guide will lead you deep into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and together you’ll explore their history – including how they became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.  

Want to see Edinburgh’s darkest secret? Descend into the vaults, exclusive to Mercat Tours.

It’s a story rooted in Edinburgh’s Georgian past – grand feats of engineering, the expansion of the city, and those who were left behind in its darker corners.

But why were the vaults built? And who used them? Save your questions for your Mercat tour guide, a masterful storyteller who will bring the history of the vaults to life – and talk you through some of the artefacts that have survived.

The walking tour takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, with time at the end in our Discovery Room – complete with 3D model and artefacts.

From £22 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• 44 (131) 2255445
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Hearing Loop

Tour information

• Edinburgh & The Lothians
• Edinburgh - City Centre
• Small Group (1-16)
• Outdoor Activities
• Walking/Hiking

Tour prices

From £22 Per Adult £17 Per Child £20 Concession

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour gallery

Tour company information

Mercat tours.

'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling' Join In! Enjoy immersive storytelling experiences as you explore Edinburgh's Old Town. Stories Connect You'll have a deep connection with the people & places of the past and build remarkable memories of Scotland's ancient & beautiful capital. Good for You, Good for Everyone Choosing us, a local, independent family business and Living Wage employer, means you support an ethical team rooted in our local community since 1985

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Visit Mercat Tours

Opening times

Daily 9am to 10pm

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MERCAT TOURS (Edinburgh) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Mercat Tours

Meeting point:   Mercat Cross, Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF

Mercat Tours hosts underground and overground tours of Edinburgh. Specialising in  history tours  of the city and spooky  ghost walks . Mercat’s storytellers bring Edinburgh’s tales to life, showing a side of the city that you may otherwise miss. Themed history tours explore different historic topics. For example, tours of iconic landmarks, Outlander locations or interesting statues. While ghost tours focus on dark and chilling tales of the city’s gruesome past.

With exclusive access to the Blair Street Vaults, many of the tours delve deep underground. The Vaults are caverns in the arches of South Bridge, which lie beneath the Old Town. Dating from the the 18th century, they have a rich history, and there are also many myths and ghost stories that surround them.

5 things to do on Mercat Tours

• Learn about Edinburgh’s rich and fascinating past on a history tour.
• Be scared silly on a spooky ghost tour.
• Discover places and stories you might have otherwise missed.
• Explore the mysterious underground vaults that lie beneath South Bridge.
• Hear fascinating tales of the city from Mercat’s storytellers.

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2 Best Edinburgh Vaults Tour Options

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 16/02/2024

Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities. It has so much history, so much character, and so much to do when you visit. I have now been there several times and there are always different things on offer.

This trip I decided to do something I had never done before – explore Edinburgh underground by taking the 2 most popular Edinburgh Vaults Tour Options.

⇒ Book Your Edinburgh historic vaults walking tour

Edinburgh as a city used to be literally just the royal mile area or what is now the Old Town Edinburgh. The city is built on hills so when it began to fill up the only way to accommodate people was to go up and down.

Streets known as Closes began to be filled with houses literally on top of each other. And thus began the creation of a city under Edinburgh.

As those who could afford it moved out of the centre of Edinburgh to the new town roads were built between the royal mile and the new town – literally over this populated underground city in Edinburgh Scotland.

To support the bridges arches were created underneath – which led to the creation of underground vaults and the Edinburgh underground streets which became the centre of life for many of the poor of the city .

⇒ Edinburgh is also home to some fantastic boutique hotels. Click here to find out some fantastic places to stay in Edinburgh .

Edinburgh Vaults Tour – Lost and Then Found

Alas, disease broke out in the Edinburgh old city underground which led to an evacuation of this underground village Edinburgh and the vaults being sealed.

The underground hidden city Edinburgh was then forgotten – until a pub owner discovered a vault in the 1980s. The Edinburgh Scotland underground vaults were excavated and have now been turned into a major tourist activity as well as function rooms etc.

Underground Edinburgh is also renowned for apparently having many ghosts………….and now just as many Edinburgh ghost tours.

5 Ways to Explore Underground Edinburgh

There are several ways to explore Edinburgh Underground City. The Edinburgh vaults have been essentially divided up amongst tour companies, tour guides, pubs and other interested organisations.

Most tour groups have some type of exclusivity around their vault – and I believe there are circa 120 vaults or rooms in the Edinburgh city underground.

There are 5 key ways to see the Edinburgh vaults depending on what time of year you are in Edinburgh:

1. Edinburgh Vaults Ghost Adventures Tours

The underground ghost tour is one of the best-known uses of the vaults. There are many stories of ghosts – and some dreadful stories around what life was like living in the Edinburgh vaults – and the fate of some of its inhabitants.

These Edinburgh tours underground are generally held as an evening tour – adds some atmosphere.

 ⇒ Edinburgh Ghost Tours

2. Edinburgh Underground Tour or Edinburgh Vaults Tours

These are the subject of this post. The two best known are the Mercat and Mary King’s Close. Read further on for my reviews of both.

3. Pubs and/or a Pub Crawl

Several pubs in the centre of Edinburgh have vault rooms. These include the Banshee Labyrinth (apparently Scotland’s most haunted pub), The Jazz Bar or Cabaret Voltaire .

Or why not go on a pub crawl specifically designed to visit multiple pubs in Edinburgh with vault rooms in the one session?

4. Private Function

The southbridge vaults of Edinburgh old have an area that hosts weddings, live music, private dining and the occasional club night. Check out the Unusual Venues Edinburgh website if this is of interest.

There are some fantastic UK City and Sightseeing passes which offer free entry to all must-see attractions & great deals.

5. Edinburgh Festival

The Edinburgh Festival is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world and is held every August. During this time the vaults that are currently used just for private functions, as well as several unused vaults, are turned into venues for Edinburgh Festival events.

Heading to Edinburgh for just one day? Make sure you don’t miss anything by reading this great One Day in Edinburgh Guide

Edinburgh Vaults Tours

1. mercat tours edinburgh.

Mercat Tours offer a range of ghost walk Edinburgh, 18th-century history and private tours of Edinburgh. One of their most well known, and the tour that I took, was the Historic Edinburgh Underground City Tour.

This tour has exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults – the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh.

⇒ Book your Edinburgh historic vaults walking tour

The ghostly underground vaults tour Edinburgh begins outside – at the Mercat Cross (see planning & logistics further down). I had a brilliant French guide. An unexpected nationality but she was fabulous and super knowledgeable.

She provides all of the backgrounds on what was happening in Scotland in the 18th century that led to the creation of the vaults. There are lots of fantastically gross and icky stories about Edinburgh Scotland .

After an overview overground we walked a short distance to the Blair Street Underground Vaults and headed for our underground vaults tour.

Mercat Tours have done a great job of keeping these ghostly underground vaults authentic. They are pretty much untouched and lit by candles. Only the most necessary safety measures have been put in when it comes to modernization.

The guide on this Edinburgh tour did a brilliant job bringing the era – and especially its smells – to life. I could almost hear the roaring of voices in the tavern vault – and smell the excessive amount of Claret being drunk.

⇒ Heading to London? Check out my posts on 13 Unusual Experiences in London , the best London Food Tours , my virtual London Travel Blog , some great Earlsfield restaurants , 14 Things to do in Notting Hill , restaurants near Clapham Junction and Victoria Station restaurants , 16 Famous Landmarks in Europe , a mad hatter afternoon tea party and a day trip to Brighton , 67 Fascinating Facts about London , 18 Landmarks of London from a local, 15 Places to see Sunsets in London , 9 Places to watch the Sunrise in London , 10 Bridges in London Not to Miss and Cotswolds tour from London options.

I had two favourite stories . One involved Judge Newton and his unique approach to contemplating judgments. The second is that for the first time I now actually understand what a body snatcher is and how that term came about.

I also realise that it was a fabulously lucrative occupation at the time. I won’t ruin your tour by telling you anything more…………..

The Mercat tour finishes in the Discovery Room which features a mix of different types of exhibits with various levels of interactivity.

I really enjoyed this Edinburgh south bridge vaults tour. The stories were enthralling and the telling was done particularly well. My only comment would be that it could be quite a bit to ask a kid to pay attention over this time duration.

Mercat Tours Edinburgh Planning & Logistics

I booked online the day before but if you are in Edinburgh during the summer – particularly August – I would suggest booking at least one week ahead.

November-March there are 2 tours a day : 2pm and 4pm April-October there are 4 tours a day : 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm The tour starts at The Mercat Cross which is in front of St Giles Cathedral and literally just off the Royal Mile.

About Mercat – this tour company was started by a history teacher which makes a lot of sense after you have completed the tour. Tours are conducted in English.

⇒ Click here for a Mercat tours promo code .

The tour finishes not far away at the Blair Street Underground Vaults . The tour runs for about one hour and 15 minutes

2. The Real Mary King’s Close

The Real Mary King’s Close is perhaps the most famous Edinburgh underground Tour. The Real Mary King’s Close tour is quite a different type of tour to the Mercat Tour. It is far more interactive and theatrical.

A key thing to know: You cannot take photos on this tour (you can on the Mercat Tour)

Your Mary Kings Close tour will be led by a character guide who has been based on a real person who lived in Edinburgh’s Closes in the 17th century – it could be the maid, the merchant, the plague cleaner or the doctor.

He or she will be dressed in keeping with the time and provide their own perspective on the goings-on in the close. You will move through different rooms and areas within the close and see recreations.

These vary from rather realistic-looking miserable statues of people in bed with the plague to some pretty cool video projection within mirrors.

This tour very much brings the time to life and has some memorable moments. If you are taking the tour with your family  (kids 5 years and over can go on the tour),

I would definitely recommend the Mary King’s Close tour ahead of Mercat. However, the Mercat Tour offers a more in-depth understanding of the time of the vaults, how life in the vaults worked and why life in the vaults ended.

Mary King’s Close Tour Planning & Logistics

As above, I booked online the day before but if you are in Edinburgh during the summer – particularly August – I would suggest booking at least one week ahead.

Mary King’s Close is open every day apart from Christmas Days, with tours tending to run every 15 minutes.

Opening Hours are: December-March Sun-Thu: 10am-5pm Fri-Sat: 10am-9pm April-October Mon-Sun: 10am-9pm November Sun: 930am – 6:30pm Mon-Thu: 9am – 5:30pm Fri-Sat: 9:30am – 9:00pm

Mary King’s Close is located on the Royal Mile – next door to the City Chambers and opposite St Giles’ Cathedral – literally steps away from the Mercat Cross where the Mercat tour meets.

Top Tip: If you are really interested in Underground Edinburgh it is quite easy to do both tours virtually in a row – which is what I did. They are very different experiences and I am quite glad that I did both.

If I had of had more time I also would have probably added in an underground vaults pub tour.

Hmm, I am starting to wonder if I have a bit of an underground infatuation???? And check out Auld Reekie Tours for some more Edinburgh ghost tours and some that also include the Edinburgh vaults stone circle.

Getting to Edinburgh

⇒ Flights to Edinburgh

A quick and cheap way to get from the airport to the centre of Edinburgh is to take Edinburgh Airport to City Centre Bus Transfer

Edinburgh Ghost Tour

If the Edinburgh Vaults Tour has left you wanting more you might enjoy taking one of Edinburgh’s ghost tours. Hop on the Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh and you’ll get a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh as well as some amusing ghostly tales.

Keep up the perky mood with a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeon. Buy your  Edinburgh dungeon ticket here.

Don’t Miss When You’re in Edinburgh

I must confess the only thing I knew about the   Royal Yacht Britannia before I visited was what I had seen of it in The Crown. However, this produced enough interest for me (as tv tends to do!) to get me to visit.

I am so glad that I did. Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia is a very unique and special experience.

⇒ South West Scotland is absolutely beautiful – and a bit warmer than the rest of the country! Get inspired by reading my posts on things to do in Ayrshire and in Dumfries and Galloway . 

I started my visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia with afternoon tea. Many choose to end with this but I was starving so I kicked off by enjoying some delicious sandwiches and even more delicious scones in the lovely lovely tea room.

The tea room has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water which is just lovely. And then on to the Royal Yacht tour.

You will receive an audio guide which is particularly well done. They have really got that balance between too much and too little information correct.

After taking the tour I really felt like I had a sense of what life was like on the Royal Yacht Britannia. I most enjoyed being able to see and in some cases walk through the private areas of the royal family.

It felt so special being, in one case, in a room where most of the major players of the 20 th century had visited at least once.

How to find the Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia is located as part of the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in the Leith area of Edinburgh. If you are driving there is free parking in the shopping centre and it is very well signed.

Once you’ve parked head into the shopping centre and follow the directions.

⇒ Book Your Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

The Best Place to Stay – and Eat – in Edinburgh

I rather fell in love with 21212 – a restaurant with Rooms! 21212 is a wonderful boutique hotel in a wonderfully central yet quiet part of Edinburgh.

The hotel is literally 4 rooms. Oh, but what rooms they are! Wonderfully stylish, incredibly comfortable, beautifully designed – I could wax lyrical for quite some time.

I even had a mini corner couch in my room at 21212 – love a corner couch – and such a comfortable bed. I slept incredibly well. And the sloe gin in the room was a particularly nice touch. The room was magnificent.

And then there was the food at 21212. Wow wow wow! The restaurant is named 21212 because of the structure of the menu. There are 3 choices for a starter. Then there is 1 soup. 3 Choices for main. 1 cheese. 3 choices for dessert. And an amuse-bouche to begin.

I started with the “Haggis it’s Risotto” which featured aubergine and onion. It was amazing. If haggis always tasted like this I would never stop eating it.

The soup sounded simple – spring vegetables. It was a taste sensation. It felt wrong to call it a soup as it was so much more flavourful and complex than any soup I have ever eaten.

I can’t resist a surf and turf on a menu so I had the Piatto a base di Carne Pesce as my main. The beef was just ridiculously good. My eyes closed involuntarily with each bite as I so so enjoyed it. And wow the scallops – amazing.

I then finished off with the “Ooh Bee Hive” (did I mention everything at 21212 Edinburgh has a fabulous name?) which featured honey, chocolate and mango.

And a tiny shot of banana smoothie which was multi-layered and really I don’t know exactly what it was but gosh it was so so so good.

21212 is a really special, wonderful, unique place to visit and I highly recommend at minimum eating here – but gosh so nice when you just have to walk up the stairs to go to bed – in a luxe super-stylish boutique hotel.

Top tip: Work off some of that Michelin star food with a walk up Calton Hill – it is literally less than 100 metres from the hotel to the start of the path. You will also be rewarded with stunning views over Edinburgh.

⇒ Read more reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

⇒ In the midst of planning your trip to Scotland? Check out my posts on Scotland Itinerary 7 D ays and Scotland Itinerary 10 Days

Who Paid for What in this Post

Luxury Scotland was kind enough to help me to plan my trip, organise my hire car, cover the costs of my hotels and most of my dinners and breakfasts. I paid for my flights and the tours in this post.

If you click through on most of the links in this post and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I just wanted to let you know.

READ NEXT: 9 BRILLIANT SCOTTISH SPA BREAKS

Related Posts:

Best Glasgow Tours

Best places to watch the sunset in Glasgow

Climbing Ben Nevis

Landmarks in the United Kingdom

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

This looks like so much fun! I love ghost tours and this would be an incredible experience. I really would love to do this with my husband.

Bindu Thomas

Monday 17th of December 2018

I am adding Eidenburgh in my travel list. This sounds interesting. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sunday 16th of December 2018

I would love to hear more stories about this vault but I aint that brave to be there physically. =)

The Boutique Adventurer

Aia I promise it is not scary! Promise!

Dalene Ekirapa

I'd love a ghost tour around the vaults in Edinburgh. I've always loved it spooky so definitely, some adventure around would be welcome.

Dalene there are lots of ghosts in Edinburgh and Scotland - it is that kind of place!

Anosa Malanga

Been here for a long time and I bet there are more changes since I last visited. Will definitely check this out and let me add it to my schedule on places that I must revisit.

Hi Anosa - yes I think they are regularly updating and improving the tours.

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Everything About Edinburgh Vaults Tours

The Edinburgh Vaults are the city’s largest underground caverns, famous for hosting popular ghost tours.

Many believe the Edinburgh Vaults are a hotspot for paranormal activity, with many reports of ghost occurrences.

The Edinburgh Vaults offer insight into 18th-century life in the city’s underground labyrinth.

They are also known as South Bridge Vaults, Blair Street Vaults, and Edinburgh Underground Vaults.

With 120 rooms spread across 19 arches, these vaults served as everything from taverns to workshops.

This article aims to provide all the essential information you need before securing your tour of the Edinburgh Vaults.

Where can you Buy an Edinburgh Vaults Tour Ticket?

The only way to visit the Edinburgh Vaults is by booking a guided tour . 

You can book a guided tour of the Edinburgh Vaults online. 

You will also find tour tickets at the venue. 

However, we recommend booking tickets online in advance.

What are ghost tours? A ghost tour takes you on an exploration of a place’s paranormal and spooky history. 

Expert guides will tell you eerie tales of horror in a way that will send chills down your spine. 

And Edinburgh Vaults are famous for being one of the best places for ghost tours.

If you’re a fan of thrilling experiences, book a ghost tour today!

Why are Online Tickets Better?

Online tickets are better for visiting Edinburgh Vaults due to four reasons: 

• Online tickets are cheaper than the tickets available at the venue. 
• These tickets help you avoid the long ticket counter queues. 
• Booking online in advance ensures that you get your preferred time and date slots. 
• Purchasing tickets online allows comparing and choosing the best ticket combinations and prices.

How Does an Online Tour Ticket Work?

Once your Edinburgh Vaults booking is confirmed, you will receive the e-ticket on your email. 

Simply display this at the entrance for swift and hassle-free entry. 

There is no requirement for a physical copy of the ticket.

Edinburgh Vaults Tour Price

The cheapest guided tour for Edinburgh Vaults costs £17 for adults aged 22 to 65.

Seniors aged 66 and above and youth between 17 and 21 years get a discounted price of £16.

There’s a huge discount for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and their ticket costs only £12. 

Types of Edinburgh Vaults Tours

Admission to the Edinburgh Vaults is only possible with a guided tour.

• The world-famous Underground Ghost tour is the cheapest and one of the best tours for visiting the Edinburgh Vaults. 
• The best-selling tour is the Edinburgh Vaults guided tour . You also have the option to see the torture exhibition on this tour. 
• A small group tour of South Bridge Vaults is perfect if you plan to visit with your friends or family. 
• Visitors also like the Edinburgh Vaults tour with whisky where you get a complimentary drink (whiskey, beer, or soft drink) towards the end of your tour. 
• To add an extra layer of spookiness, visitors also prefer taking the late-night Underground Vaults terror tour .
• A tour of Canongate Graveyard and Edinburgh Vaults is a great combo that lets you experience two great places at a discounted price. 

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

This is the cheapest and best tour of the Edinburgh Vaults. 

On this 75-minute walking tour your guide will dress as a known character from Scottish history. 

The guide will take you through the deep, dark history of the vaults. 

You will also get to visit the infamous and scariest graveyard: the Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Ticket Price

Adult ticket (22 to 65 years): £17

Senior ticket (66 years and above): £16

Youth ticket (17 to 21 years): £16

Child ticket (5 to 16 years): £12

Edinburgh Vaults Guided Tour 

Based on customer reviews, this is the best-selling ticket for the Edinburgh Vaults.

If horror is your theme, you will get spooked on this Edinburgh Vaults tour!

This tour takes you through the history of the vaults and the stories of the inhabitants, murderers, witches and much more.

If you select the evening tour option, you can see the Torture Exhibition at no extra cost. 

You’ll get a chance to see the frightening torture devices used by the people living in the vaults.

Children aged four and below are not allowed on this tour. 

Ticket Price 

Visitor Ticket ( 5 years and above): £20

Edinburgh Vaults Small-Group Tour 

This thrilling guided tour is best if you’re going with friends or family.

A maximum of 6 participants are allowed on this tour. 

With this small-group walking tour ticket, you will visit the spooky Blair Street Underground Vaults.

An award-winning expert guide will give you a detailed tour of the dark past of the vaults. 

Adult ticket (16 to 64 years): £20

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £18

Student ticket (with ID) (Any age): £18

Child ticket (5 to 15 years): £15

Edinburgh Underground Vaults Tour with Whiskey

Absorb the haunting mystery of the vaults with the leisure of a drink.

On this ghostly guided tour of Blair Street’s underground vaults, you get a complimentary drink. 

Toward the end of your tour, you can either get a whiskey, beer, or a soft drink in a candle-lit cellar. 

Get ready for a rollercoaster of thrill as an award-winning guide takes you through these vaults.

Adult ticket (16 to 64 years): £25

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £23

Student ticket (with ID) (16 years and above): £23

Child ticket (5 to 15 years): £17

Edinburgh Vaults Night Tour

You should visit the Edinburgh Vaults at night to add a layer of spookiness.

On this night tour, you will truly experience the darkness in the nooks and crannies of these vaults. 

The torture exhibition is included in this tour. 

Children aged 17 and below are not allowed on this night tour. 

Adult Ticket ( 18 years and above): £24

Edinburgh Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

This Edinburgh Vaults tour by Mercat Tours is the perfect ghostly bonanza.

Along with a visit to the Vaults, you also get to visit the eerie Canongate Graveyard. 

This is an evening tour of Edinburgh Vaults, starting at 6.30 pm.

Children aged 17 and below are not permitted on this tour. 

Adult ticket (18 to 64 years): £25

Senior ticket (65 years and above): £21

Student ticket (with ID) (18 years and above): £21

Edinburgh Vaults Tour Discounts 

Some tours of Edinburgh Vaults offer ticket discounts for senior citizens, youth and children. 

The World Famous Underground Vaults tour , one of the best ghost tours, offers a discount. 

The adult ticket for this tour costs £17, but for seniors and youth, there is a discount of £1 and their tickets cost only £16. 

There is an even bigger discount of £5 for children, and their ticket costs only £12.

Some tours also offer discounts on student IDs, like the Edinburgh Vaults Small-Group Tour .

On this tour, visitors of any age with a student ID get a discount of £2 on the original price of £20, and their ticket costs only £18.

What to Expect with Edinburgh Vaults Tours 

Edinburgh Vaults guided tours will take you on a mysterious ride into the past of Edinburgh’s Old Town. 

Entering these vaults with your guide will fill you with suspense and intrigue. 

The damp and cold atmosphere of these underground vaults adds to the spooky charm of the tours. 

The vaults, built in the 18th century, were initially used for businesses and workshops. 

The vault’s construction was rushed, and they were never properly sealed against water. 

This caused the damp conditions underground and made the chambers unsuitable for business. 

As the years passed and the population of the city increased, the vaults became home to the poor and underprivileged. 

Soon, they became grounds for illegal and eerie activities. 

Your guide will tell you about the history of these vaults and the tales of crimes, murders and ghost sightings associated with the vaults. 

Some chambers of the vaults have preserved elements to show the visitors the setup and the activities that took place inside them. 

On some tours, you can also see the Torture Exhibition , which displays the tools of torture used in the vaults. 

How Long Does it Take at Edinburgh Vaults? 

On average, a guided tour of Edinburgh Vaults takes 1 to 2 hours. 

These walking tours take you through the history of the vaults. 

The vaults were constructed in the 19 arches under the South Bridge. 

The South Bridge is over 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) long. 

Therefore, you will need an hour or two to explore the vaults comfortably. 

Edinburgh Vaults  – Day vs Night

Due to their underground location, the Edinburgh Vaults are damp and dimly lit.

This makes the experience of visiting them mysterious and spine-chilling, whether it is day or night. 

However, some visitors choose the night tours to add an extra layer of excitement to their visit. 

Irrespective of the time you pick, the Edinburgh Vaults guarantee a thrilling experience. 

How much does an Edinburgh Vaults tour cost?

The cheapest tour for the Edinburgh Vaults costs £17 for adults (22 to 65 years) and  £16 for seniors (66 and above) and youth (17 to 21 years).

It costs only £12 for children (5 to 16 years).

Can I book the Edinburgh Vaults tour online?

Yes, you can book a tour of Edinburgh Vaults online. You can only visit the Vaults if you’ve booked a guided tour.

We suggest booking a tour online in advance to reserve your spot and save time.

Where is the entrance of South Bridge Vaults?

The entrance to the Edinburgh Vaults is at 30 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LL, UK.

When you book a guided tour , you’ll get a meeting point from where your guide will take you into the vaults. 

Can I visit the Edinburgh Vaults at night?

Yes, special guided tours for the Edinburgh Vaults allow you to tour them at night. These tours are perfect for people who are looking for extra thrill.

What is the best time to visit the Edinburgh Vaults?

The best time to visit the Edinburgh Vaults is during the off-peak hours, usually weekday mornings. During these hours, the crowd is smaller than usual. 

What to wear for visiting the Edinburgh Vaults?

These Vaults are under the South Bridge, which means they receive no sunlight. We suggest wearing layers and comfortable shoes to prevent getting cold.

What is the best way to reach Edinburgh Vaults?

If you’re already in Edinburgh, the best way to reach the vaults is through public transportation such as bus, train, or tram.

Multiple bus, train and tram lines stop near Edinburgh Vaults.

What are the hours of operation for Edinburgh Vaults?

The Edinburgh Vaults are open all day and night, but the catch is that you can visit them only if you’ve booked a guided tour.

We recommend booking a tour in advance to reserve a spot.

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World Famous Underground Ghost Tour Guided Tour Small-Group Tour Guided Tour with Whiskey Edinburgh Vaults Night Tour Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

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Mercat Tours

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Small Group Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

Small Group Ghost Tour incl. Underground Vaults & free drink in Megget's Cellar

Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults Historical Walk

Royal Mile Small Group Walking Tour - Optional Edinburgh Castle

Small Group Edinburgh Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Most Interesting Tour - Mercat Tours

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Most Interesting Tour

I have to admit that I was not interested in what was advertised but the wife was all for it so off we went.....How wrong my original thoughts were A FASCINATING AND INTERESTING TOUR. Loads of history stories of doom and gloom and how the people lived and endured squalor in those ancient times. Take this tour its fantastic and made even better told by the most interesting and knowledgeable guide Nicky Well worth it.

Hi Nick, We're so glad we could change your mind and that you really enjoyed your experience with us! It means a lot and we're delighted we could earn your recommendation. All the best and thank you, Kim

Me and my partner went on the Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour yesterday and we both throughly enjoyed it! Having both never been to Edinburgh before we wanted to try and do some kind of ghost tour whilst we were here that family and friends had recommended we do! This tour especially appealed to us both with the underground vaults part as it’s not something we knew even existed in Edinburgh. The tour was done by a lady called Hes who was great at what she does! Tour was very informative and the information about each vault you go in and who haunts it was really interesting, definitely put you on edge! We wanted to do another tour as soon as we left, would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys doing ghost walks! Thank you for a great experience!

Hi Hayley, We're so happy that we could be a part of your visit to Edinburgh and that you enjoyed your time with us! Thank you very much for your kind words. If you do come back remember to hang onto your ticket for a £2 returners discount! All the best and thanks for choosing Mercat, Kim

With Naomi as our guide on this evening of entertaining but horrible histories of Edinburgh through the ages, we had a great time. Your guide really gets into the spirit of building the drama, quietly drawing you in and then ghoulish cries to add to the fun. Exploring beneath the streets of the city in the old vaults is a must, topped off with a dram of whisky whilst chewing over the final ghost stories is a great way to end your tour. Loved it.

Hi Stephen, Thank you very much for the lovely review. We know that our guides have a passion for what they do and give 100% every day. It means a lot to have it noticed. We're glad you loved the tour and that we could be a part of your experience! All the best, Kim

We had a fabulous guide called Helena, she gave a lot of information and made it fun. The Vaults were really cool and the Graveyard too. You felt all included and it was interactive but not too much. I would highly recommend it, make sure you are prepared to walk a little, not massively far but still walking.

Hi Anna, Thanks very much for taking the time to leave us such a great review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with us. Thanks for your kind words about our guide Helena also! Best Wishes, Kim

They only advertised 3 ghost but I felt 4: the cobbler, the child, the watcher and the SPIRIT of a good time. OOOooow, I almost SPOOKED my shorts in the white room. OOOOOoooow, Helena, our guide, had a HAUNTINGLY charming personality. OOOOOoooooOOOOOooow, we had a FRIGHTFULLY good tiiiiIIIIIiiiiime...

Hi Jacob, We do love the spirit of a good time, we're glad you noticed that one! Thanks for the brilliant review. You've definitely made us all smile in the Mercat office on this early Thursday morning. Thanks for joining us and all the best! Kim

Having to been to Edinburgh a few times on stag do's, I wanted to see something else and learn the history so this tour seemed perfect. Being a group we organised a private tour and I have to say from start to finish this was superb. It was a great insight to the history of Edinburgh and I cannot recommend it enough.

Hi Jonny L, Thanks for your recommendation. We're really glad that you had such a superb time on your private tour with us! Reviews like these make our day. Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review and thanks for choosing Mercat, Kim

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"History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling"

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History Walks

Edinburgh walking tours exploring scotland's rich history..

The perfect introduction to Scotland’s capital – and fastpass skip-the-line entry at Edinburgh Castle (optional extra).

Morning/Afternoon

Explore the Old Town with an expert storyteller, and get exclusive access to Edinburgh's underground vaults.

Underground; Whisky Tour & Tasting

Hear tales of Scotland’s whisky, its history and development in Edinburgh complete with a single malt tasting in exclusive underground vaults.

4pm, Fri & Sat

Witches; trial and truth.

It’s time for a reckoning, the witches’ hour has come. Bear witness to the trials and, now, the truth. 

2pm, Saturdays

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Awarded 5 stars continuously since 2007 it recognises that we're always improving our tours and experiences for our visitors and team.

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