Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

Step into the shadows of Edinburgh’s haunted past with the Darkside Walking Tour. Explore the city’s grisly history, from witch trials to body-snatching, as you wander through the historic Old Town. Knowledgeable guides shed light on the eerie atmosphere and macabre tales that lurk within Calton Hill, the Old Calton Burial Ground, and Canongate Kirkyard. Uncover the unsettling chapters that shaped this captivating destination, where the line between legend and reality blurs. Are you brave enough to uncover Edinburgh’s darkest secrets?

Just The Basics

• The 2-hour walking tour explores Edinburgh’s dark history, including grisly tales of witch trials, pagan rituals, executions, body-snatching, and infamous burials.
• The tour visits sites like Calton Hill, where alleged witches were tried and executed, and eerie cemeteries with stories of suspected vampires and body-snatching.
• Participants can learn about the notorious witch hunts that swept through Scotland and the macabre practices that took place on Calton Hill.
• The tour delves into the city’s pagan past, sharing tales of the dark rituals and public executions that once occurred on the hill.
• Visitors can explore the shadowy history of Edinburgh’s cemeteries, including the sinister trade of body-snatching and the widespread fear of the undead.

Overview of the Tour

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour offers a guided exploration through the city’s grisliest tales, delving into its murky past and present with over 3,392 positive reviews.

This 2-hour walking tour takes visitors on a journey through Edinburgh’s eerie, cobblestone streets in the Old Town, uncovering stories of witch trials, pagan rituals, executions, body-snatching, and infamous burials.

Guests will climb Calton Hill, the site of dark historical events, to enjoy panoramic city views before visiting cemeteries like the Old Calton Burial Ground and Canongate Kirkyard to learn about the city’s macabre history.

Led by knowledgeable guides, this tour provides a captivating glimpse into Edinburgh’s shadowy past and present.

Exploring the Old Town

Winding through the historic cobblestone streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the walking tour takes visitors to the very heart of the city’s darkest legends and mysteries. As the guide leads the group, they pass by ominous alleyways and centuries-old buildings that whisper of the macabre events that unfolded within. The tour explores the eerie atmosphere of this ancient neighborhood, where the shadows seem to conceal secrets of the past. Along the way, the guide shares chilling tales of witchcraft, murder, and the supernatural, bringing the city’s dark history to life.

Site	Historical Significance
Calton Hill	Site of witch trials and pagan rituals
Old Calton Burial Ground	Linked to body-snatching and vampire legends
Canongate Kirkyard	Home to infamous burials and supernatural occurrences
Stevenlaws Close	Notorious for its grisly past and haunting atmosphere

Calton Hill’s Dark History

Climbing Calton Hill, visitors uncover the site’s dark and storied past as a location for notorious witch trials and pagan rituals.

The hilltop offers panoramic views of Edinburgh, but its history is shrouded in darkness. It was here that alleged witches were tried and executed, their bodies often left to rot as a warning to others.

Pagan ceremonies were also conducted on the hill, further cementing its reputation as a place of the occult.

Today, the eerie Old Calton Burial Ground at the base of Calton Hill serves as a haunting reminder of Edinburgh’s grisly past.

As the sun sets, the hill takes on an ominous atmosphere, hinting at the dark secrets that still linger within its shadows.

Eerie Cemeteries and Burials

Aside from Calton Hill’s dark history, the Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour also explores the city’s eerie cemeteries and burial sites, uncovering their sinister pasts.

Visitors venture to the Old Calton Burial Ground and Canongate Kirkyard, where they learn about the grim practice of body-snatching and tales of suspected vampires.

Tour guides recount the macabre stories of these infamous graveyards – from the theft of corpses for medical research to the urban legends of the undead lurking among the tombstones.

Tourists experience a chilling glimpse into Edinburgh’s shadowy history, as the guide reveals the mysteries and horrors that lie buried beneath the city’s streets.

Tales of Witch Trials

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour delves into the city’s dark history of witch trials, guiding visitors through the sites where accused witches were condemned and executed.

One stop on the tour is Calton Hill, where pagan rituals and witch trials once took place. Visitors learn how this area, with its panoramic views of Edinburgh, was a site of great fear and superstition.

The tour also explores the Old Calton Burial Ground, where some of the accused witches were laid to rest in unmarked graves.

Throughout the tour, the guide shares chilling tales of the witch hunts that swept through Scotland, providing a sobering look at this dark chapter in the city’s past.

Pagan Rituals and Executions

Calton Hill’s commanding views once masked a much darker history, as the site played host to pagan rituals and public executions that struck fear into the hearts of Edinburgh’s residents.

On the hill’s slopes, ancient Celts gathered to worship their gods, performing rituals and ceremonies that were viewed with suspicion by the city’s Christian population.

As the centuries passed, the hill became a gruesome stage for public hangings, where criminals and heretics met their end before crowds of onlookers.

The eerie atmosphere of these dark events still lingers, haunting the hill and the surrounding streets that witnessed Edinburgh’s grim past.

Body-Snatching and Vampires

Amidst the eerie silence of Edinburgh’s cemeteries, a sinister trade once flourished – that of body-snatching, where grave robbers would exhume corpses to be sold to medical schools for anatomical study.

Notorious figures like the murderous duo Burke and Hare preyed upon the dead, their crimes sparking public outrage and fueling superstitions about the undead, with tales of vampires roaming the city’s ancient streets.

Some of the most infamous body-snatching cases include:

1. The Anatomy Murders, where Burke and Hare killed 16 people to sell their bodies to Dr. Robert Knox.
2. The exploits of ‘Resurrection Men’ who raided graveyards to meet the demand for cadavers.
3. The unsettling discovery of vampire marks on exhumed corpses, leading to widespread fear and panic.

Tour Logistics and Booking

Many visitors to Edinburgh opt to embark on the city’s acclaimed Darkside Walking Tour, which offers an engaging exploration of the capital’s grisly past. Departing daily at 6:30 pm from the iconic Royal Mile, this captivating 2-hour excursion takes participants on a chilling journey through Edinburgh’s Old Town, delving into tales of witch trials, executions, and the notorious body-snatchers who once prowled the shadowy streets.

The tour includes a visit to the eerie Calton Hill, site of pagan rituals, and the opportunity to learn about vampires and other macabre legends in the historic cemeteries of Canongate Kirkyard and Old Calton Burial Ground.

With over 3,392 glowing reviews, the Darkside Walking Tour is a must-do for those seeking to uncover Edinburgh’s darkest secrets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the tour. The tour company policy is to keep the experience safe and comfortable for all participants, so only service animals are permitted.

Is the Tour Suitable for Young Children?

The tour may not be suitable for young children as it explores Edinburgh’s grisly past, including stories of witch trials, executions, and body-snatching. Parents should consider the tour’s dark themes when deciding if it’s appropriate for their children.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible as it involves navigating cobblestone streets and uneven terrain. Visitors should contact the tour operator for more information on accessibility accommodations.

Can I Take Photographs During the Tour?

Yes, participants are generally allowed to take photographs during the tour. However, certain sites or situations may restrict photography at the guide’s discretion to respect the solemnity of the locations.

Is There a Discount for Students or Seniors?

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour does not currently offer discounts for students or seniors. The tour price is a flat rate for all participants, with no reduced pricing available based on age or student status.

Final Words

The Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour offers a chilling exploration of the city’s grim history.

Visitors wander through the atmospheric Old Town, uncovering tales of witch trials, pagan rituals, and body-snatching.

With knowledgeable guides bringing the macabre past to life, the tour provides a captivating glimpse into Edinburgh’s darker chapters, leaving guests with a sobering understanding of the city’s shadowy legacy.