Free Tour of the Ghosts and Mysteries of the Royal Mile

On the Edinburgh Ghost Free Tour, we uncover the stories hidden in Edinburgh's Royal Mile; from its narrow and dark alleys to the iconic Old Calton Cemetery.

Don't miss this summary of the dark history of the city of Edinburgh, where we will talk about ghosts, murderers, body snatchers, witches, and even Satan himself as we wander through the alleys of the old town. This overcrowded area after the Industrial Revolution offered a very low quality of life, which heightened the belief in legends, some of them truly cruel and bloody. This, mixed with layers of Celtic culture and popular legends, was the perfect breeding ground to develop a city that hid from the law and created its own micro-universe.

*This tour is not recommended for children under 5 years old due to the themes addressed during the visit.

The tour lasts 2 hours

Available in English, Spanish and Italian

79% of travelers recommend this Free Tour

Guide: ViajarPorEscocia.com

PRO

Tours since 2020

ViajarPorEscocia is a company created by Spaniards living in Scotland. We started our journey in 2009 and thanks to our carefully designed routes, and our expert and passionate guides, we have established ourselves as a benchmark in Spanish-language tourism in Scotland. We are the only company that provides excursions of one or several days with guaranteed departure in Spanish throughout the year. We also run tours in Italian and English.

4.21

106 reviews

Professionalism

4.40

Fun

4.29

Communication

4.25

Quality

4.23

Route

4.36

4.21

106 reviews

Professionalism

4.40

Fun

4.29

Communication

4.25

Quality

4.23

Route

4.36

7 stops

922 m walking

2 hours

Meeting point:Calle principal 190190 High Street. Entrance of the Old Fishmarket Close alleyOpen in Google Maps →

Outside visit

St Giles’ CathedralWe start beside St Giles’ Cathedral. Here we introduce the tour and explain why Edinburgh has always been shrouded in mystery: from its Celtic roots to the harsh living conditions in the walled city, marked by plague and crime.

Outside visit

Mercat CrossOnce a site of public executions and exemplary punishments. Discover how historical justice in Scotland fueled some of the city’s most chilling tales.

Outside visit

The ClosesStep into the historic alleyways of the Old Town, where legends of the 1824 fire, mysterious apparitions, and characters like Johnny “One Arm” still echo.

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.

Accessibility

Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Groups

Does not accept large group bookings.

Pets

Not suitable for bringing pets.

Minimum attendees

Requires a minimum of 5 people to conduct the tour.

Additional costs

The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.

Free cancellation

If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.