Are there any storage facilities on site?
There are no storage facilities on site for luggage, prams or any other large items.
The nearest storage facilities to our site is Waverly Train Station. This is only a few minutes walk from our start point, end point and reception.
Can I take my dog or pet on the tour?
Access dogs are welcome on any of our tours, but not other animals.
A link to our accessibility page can be found here.
Do I have to book to go on the tour?
We have limited tickets to ensure the best small group experience. Make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Book in advance to:
• guarantee your place on the tour of your choice
• get the best ticket price, only available on our website
• receive your special returner’s discount of £2 off your next tour
You can book here on our website, over the phone at 0131 225 5445 or in person from the Mercat Cross (our starting point) or from our office on 28 Blair Street, EH1 1QR.
Do I have to do a lot of walking on the tour?
No, the distances are not great on our historical walking tours or our underground ghost tours. However we would recommend you wear sensible shoes because the ground underfoot can be uneven and occasionally steep - medieval Edinburgh wasn't built for comfort!
Will my tour run in the rain/snow/sleet?
Hail, rain, wind or snow: your storyteller will always be there, at the Mercat Cross, to greet you. Your storyteller is very skilled at finding shelter from the elements, but do dress for the cold (hat/gloves) especially in the evenings and in winter. Any weather emergencies will always be updated here on our website (which have only happened once in Edinburgh!).
Will I be scared on the ghost tour (or any tour in the Blair Street Vaults?)
Sorry: no guarantees! - what some people find scary doesn't scare others at all.
What we do guarantee is that we choose our tales, craft them into engaging and enthralling stories and use all our skills as storytellers to bring a tingle to your neck. We never use fake scares and no one will ever jump out on you.
Where does the tour start?
All tours start at the Mercat Cross, an octagonal stone monument on the Royal Mile, opposite the City Chambers. You can find it using postcode EH1 1RF.
Will the guide be in costume or uniform?
We have a strict dress code for all our teamf. Our history walk storytellers wear smart, dark clothing: our ghost tour storytellers wear distinctive cloaks, but no 'costume'. All our team wear their Mercat Tours badge so can find and trust them!
Do you limit the group size?
Yes, we do limit numbers to ensure that all visitors can see, hear and enjoy a 5 star experience!
Listening to our visitor's feedback, we have reduced our capacity on all tours to 12 people to give a better experience. Occasionally we may limit these numbers further depending on the content of the tour.
Are the tours suitable for people with disabilities?
Firstly, all essential carers are very welcome on tour as our guests, free of charge.
You can also view our complete tour accessibility information and videos on our dedicated webpage.
Our tour guides have successfully led wheelchair users on the Secrets of the Royal Mile tour. Our other public tours are not suitable for people with per-ambulatory difficulties as they include the Underground Vaults which are accessed down a winding staircase and where flooring is the original, uneven earth and rock.
We provide can provide a hearing loop and short written synopses for those with hearing difficulties (please alert us beforehand that you are coming) and guides have worked well alongside interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) users.
Those with visual needs would need to be accompanied during the tour. We believe the skill of our guides as storytellers and the craft with which they use their voices to create atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience for those totally dependent on listening.
Can my children under 5 come on a walking tour?
For health and safety reasons we're unable to allow children under 5 years of age on any tour; history walks or ghost tours.
Why are children not recommended to go on the Doomed, Dead and Buried and Hidden and Haunted tours?
Honestly? - because the grown-ups asked for a tour to themselves. We have expressly reserved our most graphic stories for these late tours. This also allows the guide to 'pull out all the stops' to make the tour as atmospheric as possible when no children are present.
Can I take photos?
Photography for personal enjoyment is encouraged on all our tours - and we'd love to see them! Please share on social and tag #MercatTours. We know you’ll have a wonderful experience you want to capture. We do have a few guidelines we ask all our visitors to follow to help everyone have the best experience possible. Our photo policy helps all visitors be considerate to others on the tour and to your guide. Don't use flash photography in our vaults and tripods are not practical.
Are there toilets during your walking tour?
We do not have public toilets on the Blair Street premises. There are several coffee shops, restaurants and bars very near the tour meeting point where you can use this facility.
What happens if I am late for the beginning of my history walk or ghost tour?
If you are late by a few minutes, you can join the tour easily, our team at the Mercat Cross will help. If you are delayed by more than 15 minutes it won't be possible for you to join your Edinburgh tour as you will have missed too much of the tour content and disrupt the tour for others.
Where possible we will try to transfer you to an alternative history walk or ghost tour, based on availability.
Do you have lifts in the Underground Vaults?
Due to the historic nature of the site, there are no lifts. To help, you'll find videos about the Blair Stret Underground Vaults on our youtube channel.
If we have had a few drinks before the tour will we be allowed to access the tour?
The Health and Safety of our visitors and team is priority therefore we operate a strict policy regarding alcohol and drugs. If we deem anyone over the limit then we refuse entry.
Where does my tour finish?
Many of our tours will end at 28 Blair Street with the exception of Secrets of the Royal Mile, Treasures of the Old Town and Doomed, Dead and Buried,
The end of our history walking tours will depend on the tour. You may finish at Edinburgh Castle, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Museum of Scotland or at our Blair Street Underground Vaults. All of our walking tour pages include a map of you start and finish point.
Can I just turn up and pay cash before the tour?
Small groups means tickets are limited so we recommend to book in advance to avoid disappointment. We can have standby tickets available at the Mercat Cross and we accept card payments at the Mercat Cross, dependent on availability.
What happens if the number for my group tour changes?
We assume the number in your group is the number you originally negotiated unless you contact us to make a change.
If the number in your group changes, you must notify us 48 hours in advance. If you fail to do this you are liable for the original amount stated in the contract.
Sometimes some of your friends/colleagues may ask to join the group at the last minute. It is really important you let us know if the increase in numbers is going to generate the need for an additional guide. We wish your group to have a quality, enjoyable experience.
When is my private booking confirmed?
Your private tour is confirmed when we receive back your signed contract and your deposit or the whole amount if you prefer.
What are the payment arrangements for private tours?
The full amount must be paid at least 48 hours in advance of the tour. You can pay by credit card or cheque, by telephone or by post.
Can I be invoiced after my private group tour?
Only previous customers can arrange to pay for their private booking by invoice.
What do I do if I want to cancel my private booking?
You can cancel your private group tour at any time however the deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the tour is due to begin you are liable for the full amount stated in the contract.
What happens if we turn up late for our private group tour?
The telephone number of the Mercat Tours office is 0131 225 5445. Our office accepts phone calls until 10pm. Please use it to alert us if you are delayed.
If you are late we reserve the right to shorten your walking tour. This can be necessary, especially if your ghost tour includes a visit to the Vaults, for it is likely other tours are timetabled to visit. Your guide may have a later tour to take and is unable to wait on.
If you have not appeared 30 minutes after the start time of your walking tour and you have not contacted us, your tour will be cancelled.
