Doom, Dead & Buried: Underground Vaults & Graveyard Tour
Overview
Walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town and hear stories about the people who once lived and worked in its narrow streets and hidden alleyways.
Then head underground into the Blair Street Vaults — a space only Mercat Tours has access to. It’s dark, quiet, and a little unsettling. As you explore the vaults, your guide will share true stories from the city’s past, including events that some believe still leave a mark today.
Whether it’s the cold air, the low ceilings, or the silence, many people say the vaults feel different. Your guide will help you make sense of it, with tales of Edinburgh’s darker history.
What's included
FAQ
You’ll start with a walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, moving through narrow streets and hidden alleyways while your guide shares true stories about the people who once lived and worked there. Then the tour continues underground into the Blair Street Vaults—an area only Mercat Tours has access to—where you’ll explore a dark, quiet vault environment and hear accounts from Edinburgh’s darker history. The atmosphere is intentionally eerie, and your guide will help connect the stories to the city’s past.
The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes. It includes guided time both above ground (Old Town streets and alleys) and below ground (the vaults). Expect some walking on uneven old-street surfaces and time spent standing or moving through enclosed spaces underground, but the pace is guided and suited to typical tourist groups.
The vaults are dark, quiet, and unsettling in atmosphere, with stories focused on Edinburgh’s grim and ghostly-leaning history. While the tour is presented in a historical, narrative style, the subject matter may be intense for very young children or sensitive guests. If you’re bringing children, it’s best to consider age sensitivity to spooky themes and darker historical events.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking in Edinburgh’s Old Town and consider warmer clothing for the underground vaults, which are typically colder. As the vaults have low ceilings and dim lighting, it’s helpful to keep hands free and follow your guide’s instructions. There’s usually no need for special equipment, but dressing for cool conditions will make the experience more comfortable.
The tour takes place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, beginning in the Old Town and then going underground into the Blair Street Vaults. Your booking confirmation will provide the exact meeting location and instructions for arrival. Please arrive a little early so you can check in and join the group before the walk begins.
