Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh - Dark History

Outty Ranking 88 5.0 · 900 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $12

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

88/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 900 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 $12 per person. It scores 88 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 5/5 rating across 900 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
88 / 100
Rating
5/5 (900)
Duration
2 hours
From
$12 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

What you get

  • In-Person guide

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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 15 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

Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh, photo 2Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh, photo 3Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh, photo 4Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh, photo 5Edinburgh - Dark History in Edinburgh, photo 6

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 900 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

10 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

The guide

7 mentions

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

Traveler reviews

900 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh - Dark History. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
866
4 star
30
3 star
4
2 star
0
1 star
0
Sort
Karyn_M · September 2026

It was Meh

Lots of walking, kinda dragged on. Interesting but didn’t need to be that long. The guide was nice and knowledgeable

via Viator

T7359CHhannam · September 2026

Dark History Tour Edinburgh

David was an exceptional tour guide. Very knowledgeable and passionate about his job. I learned a lot about Scottish history during this tour. It was absolutely worth it. The 2 hours of the tour flew by. Highly recommended.

via Tripadvisor

Salway_J · September 2026

Knowledgeable tour guide

Lydia was excellent! Very knowledgeable and answered lots of our questions and mixed it up for us as we had been to some of the planned stops which kept it interesting.

via Viator

Sylvie_R · August 2026

Amelie, our guide, was...

Amelie, our guide, was very knowledgeable. Full of energy, she made this experience one to remember.

via Viator

Kelly_V · August 2026

Amalie was our tour...

Amalie was our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Enjoyed the tour a lot and I would highly recommend this tour for something different and dark!

via Viator

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
Price range
$12 to $18
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
315
Verdict
Exceptional

Why this scores 88

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

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)100
Review evidence (18% weight)77
Booking momentum (14% weight)74
Value for money (12% weight)99
Listing quality (10% weight)88
Local standing (8% weight)71
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

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?

+

Prices start at $12 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?

+

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?

+

It holds an Outty Ranking of 88 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 900 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 Edinburgh - Dark History?

+

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?

+

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?

+

Around 315 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?

+

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 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?

+

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?

+

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?

+

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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