
Edinburgh - Dark History
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 922 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh - Dark History worth booking?
Edinburgh - Dark History is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $25 per person. It scores 91 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 5/5 rating across 922 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 91 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (922)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...
What you get
About this experience
Ah, Edinburgh! They don't call it "The Jekyll & Hyde City" for nothing. During the day, a respectable figure, with its astonishing architecture and wondrous history. But when the sun sets, it tells an entirely different story... Hear all about the darker history of Edinburgh: murderers, thieves, cannibals, hangings and decapitations, witches, the Plague and streams of human waste. Learn about the most notorious citizens of Edinburgh and how ghost stories are born. This is not a ghost tour: we don't need costumes or people jumping from behind the corners, Edinburgh's Dark History itself is enough to make your skin crawl. And oh, how we love to share it with our visitors...
What's included
Included
- In-Person guide
What you'll see and do
Old Town
A walking tour down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where your guide will share with you the darker history of Edinburgh.
Pass by without stopping
Heart of Midlothian
Former site of the Old Tollbooth, one of Edinburgh's most notorious buildings. Hear about some of the characters once imprisoned and/or executed here, and why it ultimately became recognised by Sir Walter Scott as the Hard of the Midlothian.
10 minutes here
St Giles' Cathedral
What seems like the car park hides a secret, as well as the burial place of one of the most controversial figures in Scottish history.
10 minutes here
Mercat Cross
Another infamous execution site. Hear about the importance of the building in the life of the city, and about a literal killing machine which was once kept inside St. Giles Cathedral.
10 minutes here
Royal Mile
Walk down the Royal Mile, where you'll hear about some of Edinburgh's notorious citizens, the Black Plague, and how the city's poor sanitary conditions eventually led to a most peculiar tradition.
40 minutes here
John Knox House Museum
Learn about the architecture of 16th century Edinburgh, and witness one of the most "authentic" corners in the city centre.
5 minutes here
Canongate Kirk
Wander among graves of old, hearing about body snatchers, cannibals, and learn how ghost stories are born.
40 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Our meeting point is in WEST Parliament Square, across the square in Front of St. Giles Cathedral. Search for the white umbrella with the logo of All-Star Guides.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- All-Star Guides
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 922 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
922 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh - Dark History. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Tour Ever
We booked the Dark History Tour with James when we first got to Edinburgh and he was AMAZING. The tour company is made up of historians not actors or someone following a script but people who are passionate about the topics and history of the city. This comes across in the enthusiasm of the story telling, the small jokes, and the willingness to make sure everyone on the tour enjoys it. James single handedly made me look at grave markers in a different light so I have a new rabbit hole to explore. My husband, who isn’t a history nerd, said it was the best tour he had ever been on which is saying a lot because I drag him on history tours in every city we visit. We enjoyed the tour so much we booked the castle tour through the same company. Robert was our tour guide for the castle and did not disappoint either. His small tangents were the amazing and felt like small side quests of history. He bent over backwards for a few members of our group that were with family that had mobility issues. I wish we could rent the guides for a private tours. In summary as my husband said, “warning this will ruin other tours for you.”
via Viator
Best was to experience Edinburgh
We thoroughly enjoyed our dark history tour with Toni. Everything was presented so well with a little bit of humour and she expertly answered all of our questions. It's a great tour if you want to know more about Edinburgh's history.
via Tripadvisor
All Star Guide Robert rocks!
Robert was our guide and his great storytelling skills and his in-depth knowledge about Scottish, British and Edinburgh’s history made the tour a blast! Many thx Robert, the malt of the month at Jinglin’ Georgie’s was spot on!
via Tripadvisor
Very informative
A very informative tour! Our guide James provided a lot of historical context with enough dark side to make it real. I learned a lot!
via Tripadvisor
Best Tour in Edinburgh
Hands down the best history/“spooky” tour. We had Amelie as our guide and I cannot praise her highly enough. The guide was amazing at storytelling and really knows her stuff, very impressed! It was a great size group and very informative if you prefer more of a true rendition of Edinburgh’s darker history without the ghost aspect. We would have to say this was on of the best tours we’ve ever taken and if you are interested, dont hesitate to book, you won’t be disappointed!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 323
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 91
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh - Dark History: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh - Dark History cost?
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Prices start at $25 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 Edinburgh - Dark History take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Edinburgh - Dark History worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 91 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 922 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. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh - Dark History?
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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 Edinburgh - Dark History suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh - Dark History?
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Around 323 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh - Dark History 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 The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. 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.
What is included in Edinburgh - Dark History?
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Included: In-Person guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh - Dark History?
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Our meeting point is in WEST Parliament Square, across the square in Front of St. Giles Cathedral. Search for the white umbrella with the logo of All-Star Guides. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh - Dark History offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Edinburgh - Dark History?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Edinburgh - Dark History wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh - Dark History if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Edinburgh. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Edinburgh - Dark History?
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Across 922 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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