City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh

Outty Ranking 68 4.7 · 257 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $23
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Outty Ranking

68/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 257 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh worth booking?

City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh is a 1.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $23 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 257 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
68 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (257)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$23 per person

Combining history, humour and horror, this guided walking tour leads you through Edinburgh's fascinating past and into a locked section of Greyfriars Kirkyard infamously known as the Covenanter's Prison. This is the la

What you get

  • Local, expert guide

About this experience

Combining history, humour and horror, this guided walking tour leads you through Edinburgh's fascinating past and into a locked section of Greyfriars Kirkyard infamously known as the Covenanter's Prison. This is the lair of the 'Mackenzie Poltergeist', regarded as the best documented supernatural case of all time. An encounter with the poltergeist is said to be the highlight of the Haunted Graveyard Tour, with hundreds of people claiming to have been attacked by the entity. And only City of the Dead has the key! 90 minute walking tour exploring Edinburgh's most haunted locations, led by a local expert guide.

What's included

Included

  • Local, expert guide

Not included

  • Transportation to/from attractions

What you'll see and do

  1. Royal Mile

    All tours last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Each guide is a local expert on Edinburgh's fascinating and horrifying history, with their own unique style and delivery so no two tours are ever the same. Combining history, humour and horror, this guided walking tour meanders through the labyrinth of Edinburgh's closes and alleyways before entering Greyfriars Kirkyard.

    30 minutes here

  2. Greyfriars

    All tours last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Each guide is a local expert on Edinburgh's fascinating and horrifying history, with their own unique style and delivery so no two tours are ever the same. Combining history, humour and horror, this guided walking tour enters Greyfriars Kirkyard, the world's most haunted site! We finish the tour inside the Covenantor's Prison, a locked section of a 16th-century walled cemetery. Thought to be the world's first concentration camp, this is the lair of the 'Mackenzie Poltergeist', the best documented supernatural case of all time. Since City of the Dead has the only access to the Prison, we have been able to record all of the 'attacks' on visitors there. And there have been thousands. Can cause physical and mental distress. You join us at your own risk.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Edinburgh

Tours leave from the tree on the pavement at the side of St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile. NOT THE FRONT! (The map has us on the wrong side of the church and we can't change it!) Please arrive at meeting point 10 minutes prior to departure. Please contact us if you're unable to join your tour.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Tue, Thu, Sat
Group size
Up to 6 travelers per booking
Operated by
City of the Dead Tours

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Language: English only
  • Age: Minimum 12
  • Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty walking

Photos

Greyfriars KirkyardCity of the Dead's OfficeThe "Tree of the Dead" - the tour starts here outside St Giles CathedralGreyfriars KirkCity of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh in Edinburgh, photo 6City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh in Edinburgh, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 257 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

9 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Knowledge and storytelling

4 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Traveler reviews

257 verified traveler reviews for City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
225
4 star
15
3 star
3
2 star
6
1 star
8
Sort
moragm160 · September 2026

Ghost Tour, GreyFriars Kirkyard & Covenanters Prison

Been to Edinburgh many times. Have been to GreyFriars Kirkyard before too The Covenanters’ prison is a locked area within greyfriars Kirkyard. This is the only tour operator with access. Hence why we picked this tour. Tour started at 9pm near to St Giles Cathedral. Tour Guide ‘Hess’ was excellent. Great delivery. Took time to explain and answer questions from the whole group. Made sure we were all engaged. Lots of tales, sone we’d heard of but with far more detail than the stories heard before. GreyFriars Bobby (no need to touch his nose for anything, just a strange modern fallacy that’s best ignored to avoiding damaging the landmark) Kirkyard, in the dark. Brilliant! Very clear on where to stand to avoid damaging all resting places. Covenanters prison, well worth picking this tour! Heard other companies nearby claiming they had access to their audience, but they don’t!

via Tripadvisor

R3480HSdb · August 2026

Book this tour!!

Fabulous tour!!!! We enjoyed all the tales and tour of the vaults and the grey friars kirk yard.Ryan our tour guide was funny and fabulous!!

via Tripadvisor

B3746WSsarahw · August 2026

Great

5 of us went on the tour In Edinburgh, we really enjoyed our tour and Ryan was amazing. Really interesting stories . Thanks

via Tripadvisor

paullZ2095QR · August 2026

Excellent tour and actual ghost light

Very fun and informed guide and an interesting tour. Saw a little blue ghost light in the most haunted part of the prison! Highly recommended.

via Tripadvisor

froukjek872 · August 2026

Graveyard fun with Katie.

The graveyard tour was marvellous. Our guide Katie took us really into the ghost experience. We got shivers down our spine. Being able to see the enclosed part of the graveyard was really worth while. Thanks Katie for this wonderful walk and the enthusiasm you shared.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
1.5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
12+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Tue, Thu, Sat
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
90
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 68

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
Review evidence (18% weight)63
Booking momentum (14% weight)58
Value for money (12% weight)45
Listing quality (10% weight)84
Local standing (8% weight)36
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.

How much does City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh cost?

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Prices start at $23 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh take?

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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.

Is City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 257 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1.5-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh?

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Around 90 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour in Edinburgh start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?

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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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