On Request Tours
Gory Stories: The Kids’ Tour
In Summary
- Learn about the real history of Edinburgh
- Enjoy a family friendly walking ghost tour in a small group
- See artefacts found in Edinburgh’s secret underground
- Hear about the grisly things that were once commonplace in Edinburgh life
- Tickets are limited. Book in advance for the best ticket price & to guarantee your place on your tour
- Check our COVID-19 measures - to be safe, and feel safe on tour
Everyone has a warm welcome from us at the Mercat Cross. Read more about how we look after you and what to expect on tour on our Accessibility page and Euan's Guide Review.
About this tour
Tales of stinking streets, terrible tortures and ghostly goings-on. A daytime tour for kids that will take you to some of the city’s most horrible haunts including a visit to our famous Blair Street Underground Vaults.
You’ll hear all about the creepy characters lurking in the past and the hideous real history of how people lived in 19th century Edinburgh. As you walk this city built on witch trials, body snatching and a gruesome past of torture, your expert guide will take you to the places where history lives.
To start, you’ll visit the winding closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Learn the meaning of gardyloo and hope you never hear it, grimace at the tales of Scottish witches and find out what treasure could be found buried in a 19th century graveyard (clue: it’s not gold and shiny). You’ll even hear what school children, like you, once packed in their school bags on one eventful day.
A time when living in overcrowded closes proved as frightful as the ghoulish apparitions.
Hear what jobs were available for younger members of society and get a glimpse at what a family ‘home’ might look like. You’ll finish your excursion beneath the streets in our exclusive Blair Street Underground Vaults, once frequented by some of Edinburgh’s less appealing characters. And possibly still is…
If you’re aged 5 and over this is the tour for you!
Customer review
"My son's first vaults visit and he loved it. Thank you so much! I'm sure we will be back soon!"
Emma, FacebookEnquire about Gory Stories: The Kids’ Tour
Tours details
Duration
- 1 hours 15 minutes
Tour location
- Start point: Mercat Cross, High Street
- End point: Blair Street Underground Vaults, Blair Street, off Hunter's Square
Need help booking?
Get in touch with us and one of our experts will be able to give you advice on our tours.
Customer review
"My son's first vaults visit and he loved it. Thank you so much! I'm sure we will be back soon!"
Emma, Facebook
Souvenir Guidebooks
Don’t forget to buy a Mercat Tours souvenir guidebook with your ticket.
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