Edinburgh: Ghostly Tales of the Royal Mile Walking Tour

Step into Edinburgh’s ghostly past on this above-ground 1.25-hour guided ghost tour, where a cloaked storyteller reveals chilling tales of murder, hauntings, and superstition.

Getting started

Meet your guide at Mercat Cross along the Royal Mile and grab your audio devices to enhance your experience, ensuring you hear every eerie tale clearly.

What to expect

Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Walk the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile where public executions once took place, and ghostly legends still linger.

Exploring with a guide

Your cloaked storyteller brings the city’s dark past to life with personalized commentary. Have a question about a particular ghost story or historical figure? Your guide will offer deeper insights into the legends and superstitions that still linger in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 

Features

Mercat Cross: Once a site for royal proclamations and brutal punishments, this landmark holds secrets of justice—and revenge.

Old Town closes: Wander shadowy alleyways where criminals and victims once walked, their stories still whispered in the wind.

Tron Kirk: Pass by this once bustling 17th-century parish church that has been the site of many ghostly legends that linger nearby. 

Wrapping up

The tour concludes back on the Royal Mile, where you can continue exploring Edinburgh’s haunted history.

Edinburgh: Ghostly Tales of the Royal Mile Walking Tour

Discover Edinburgh's chilling history on this 1.25-hour guided walking tour that includes a cloak rental and audio guide in multiple languages, covering crime, executions, and hauntings along the historic Royal Mile. Follow your storyteller through the heart of Old Town as you explore landmarks such as the Grassmarket, the Canongate Kirk, and the Mercat Cross, where tales of villains and victims come to life. The tour delves into the grim history of Edinburgh's brutal punishments in the 1800s, offering insights into the city’s dark past. With stops at key sites like the Tron Kirk and the infamous Tolbooth Prison, this tour provides a unique perspective on Scotland's rich historical tapestry, ensuring you uncover sinister secrets hidden within the stonework of Edinburgh's most iconic thoroughfare.

Explore the Royal Mile

Your tour stops at the Royal Mile where crime, executions, and hauntings took place. Stretching approximately 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile is one of Scotland’s most famous streets, built in the early 12th century. Along this historic route, you’ll see landmarks such as the Mercat Cross and Canongate Kirk, where your guide will reveal grim stories about the city's brutal punishments from the 1800s. Visitors spend around an hour walking along the mile, uncovering sinister secrets hidden in its stonework and hearing how the Edinburgh Mob took justice into their own hands. Unlike other tours that focus solely on architectural details, this tour offers a deeper dive into the dark history of the city, making it unique and memorable.

Discover Tron Kirk

Your tour stops at Tron Kirk, one of Scotland’s oldest churches built in 1640. Located on the Royal Mile, this landmark stands out with its distinctive steeple rising to a height of approximately 92 feet (28 meters). Inside, you’ll find intricate carvings and historical plaques detailing its rich history, including its role as a venue for public executions in the 17th century. Guests spend around 15 minutes here, learning about the church’s dark past and hearing stories of villains and victims from that era. Unlike other churches in Edinburgh, Tron Kirk is known for its grim historical significance, making it an essential stop on this tour.

Uncover Secrets at Grassmarket

Your tour stops at Grassmarket where executions took place during the 18th century. This historic square was once a bustling market and execution site, with a total area of approximately 2 acres (0.8 hectares). Here, you’ll see landmarks such as the Magdalen Chapel and the Mercat Cross, both key sites for public announcements and punishments in the past. Visitors spend around 30 minutes here, learning about the grim history of this location. Unlike other squares in Edinburgh that focus on modern-day events, Grassmarket offers a unique glimpse into Scotland’s dark past, making it an essential stop on this tour.

Tour Highlights

• Explore crime and executions at Royal Mile
• Walk 1.25-hour route with audio guide in multiple languages
• Learn about brutal punishments at Tron Kirk built in 1640
• Discover dark history at Grassmarket execution site since 18th century
• Hear ghost stories along Canongate Kirk and Mercat Cross landmarks
• Experience guided storytelling throughout Old Town with cloak rental
• Access key historical sites including Tolbooth Prison and Magdalen Chapel
• Enjoy convenience of tour meeting point at Edinburgh Castle entrance

Perfect for history enthusiasts, horror fans, and curious travelers, this walking tour provides a unique insight into Edinburgh's dark past through guided storytelling. The 1.25-hour format allows you to explore the Royal Mile, uncover secrets at Tron Kirk, and discover Grassmarket’s grim history, giving you an unforgettable experience of Scotland's chilling heritage.