Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour

Outty Ranking 62 5.0 · 3 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $12

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$12
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour worth booking?

Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $12 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
5/5 (3)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$12 per person

What’s reported to be the most haunted place in Edinburgh? What inspired the story of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde? What happened to witched in medieval Edinburgh? Where is Voldemort buried? All these questions answered and mor

What you get

  • Leaflets and flyers to all attractions of interest.
  • English Speaking and Written Guide

About this experience

What’s reported to be the most haunted place in Edinburgh? What inspired the story of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde? What happened to witched in medieval Edinburgh? Where is Voldemort buried? All these questions answered and more! Walk with me through the uneasy history of Edinburgh’s dark side. We’ll start at Edinburgh’s most infamous cemetery and then walk the footsteps of criminals, witches, tragedy and maybe even ghosts. You’ll learn about the city’s blood soaked past through locations, anecdotes and stories - and some hidden gems. You’ll be guided through the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town at a gentle pace to see some amazing locations and be shown pictures on a screen to bring the history to life. You’ll get a specially designed souvenir map, a tour guidebook and the opportunity to win a prize. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and be aware that there are no public toilets on the route. Some topics may be unsuitable for young children.

What's included

Included

  • Leaflets and flyers to all attractions of interest.
  • English Speaking and Written Guide

Not included

  • Any entrance to attractions we pass

What you'll see and do

  1. Greyfriars Kirk

    A hot spot of the darker side of Edinburgh including Greyfriars Bobby, The Covenanters Prison and some Harry Potter points of interest!

    Pass by without stopping

  2. Grassmarket

    A place where public executions occurred and also some ghostly tales.

    Pass by without stopping

  3. Royal Mile

    Including Advocates Close, The Castle, Mary Kings Close, Old Fishmarket Close and Paisley Close - all with tales of death and criminality.

    Pass by without stopping

  4. Edinburgh Castle

    The centre of this historic city, with a lot of bloody history.

    Pass by without stopping

  5. Paisley Close

    The history of the tragedy of Paisley Close.

    Pass by without stopping

  6. John Knox House Museum

    See the house once occupied by a key character in the reformation, John Knox.

    Pass by without stopping

  7. Flodden Wall

    See one of the last remaining parts of the famous Flodden Wall.

    Pass by without stopping

  8. See the lowest part of the Old Town where the slums used to be.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Edinburgh

Go to the main Entrance of the National Museum of Scotland and we will meet outside by the stirs (between the 2 purple 'Entrance' banners). It is on Chambers Street accessibly via South Bridge or George IV Bridge. It is a short walk from the Royal mIle.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Go to the main Entrance of the National Museum of Scotland and we will meet outside by the stirs (between the 2 purple 'Entrance' banners). It is on Chambers Street accessibly via South Bridge or George IV Bridge. It is a short walk from the Royal mIle.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
de, en, it, fr, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Fri
Group size
Up to 10 travelers per booking
Operated by
Rob Lucas

Know before you go

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Crossbones.Illustration of Momento Mori designs.Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour in Edinburgh, photo 4Greyfriars KirkyardJohn Knox HouseDeathly Graves

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

2 mentions

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

Knowledge and storytelling

2 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Photo opportunities

1 mention

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Traveler reviews

3 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
3
4 star
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3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
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Robert_W · August 2026

Great experience for history buffs and occult enthusiasts

My partner and I went on this walking tour and were so enamored in the stories and scenery that our guide shared with us. This was truly a great tour and an excellent start to our holiday!

via Viator

Mathieu_R · March 2026

Lovely time with our...

Lovely time with our guide. Stories, legends, facts all around the old town of Edinburgh. Very positive expérience

Response from the operator: Thank you, I enjoyed showing you around!

via Viator

Sarah_L · March 2025

Fun evening walking tour!

It was great! Rob was terrific and we saw a lot of interesting things. Definitely got our steps in and felt like we saw a lot of the city.

Response from the operator: Thank you! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Have a great rest of your trip.

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
1.5 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
5+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Fri
Price range
$12 to $16
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
1
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 62

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

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
Review evidence (18% weight)16
Booking momentum (14% weight)9
Value for money (12% weight)83
Listing quality (10% weight)95
Local standing (8% weight)53
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour: questions travelers ask

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

How much does Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour cost?

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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's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour 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 Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour?

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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's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. 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 Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour?

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Around 1 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 Edinburgh's Dark and Sinister History Walking Tour 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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