A Mercat Tours Storyteller holds a candle in the Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh, whilst telling a story to a family tour group.

Blair Street Underground Vaults, Edinburgh.

Gory Stories: The Kids’ 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!

Tours run on weekends and during school holidays. Take a look at our ticket bundle, adults accompanying kids benefit from reduced ticket prices.

From £17 per adult


Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

January — December

Contact details

Mercat Tours

28 Blair Street
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH1 1QR

Key facilities

  • Hearing Loop

Tour information

Starting

  • Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh & The Lothians
  • Edinburgh - City Centre

Length

1Hour

Transport

  • Walking

Type

  • Small Group (1-16)

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • City
  • Crime
  • Family
  • Ghosts and Supernatural
  • History
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Walking
  • Walking/Hiking
See more

Tour prices


From £17 Per Adult £19 Per Child

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour Stops

Edinburgh
Royal Mile and Grassmarket
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Mercat Tours

Tour company information

Mercat Tours

'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling' Join In! Enjoy immersive storytelling experiences as you explore Edinburgh's Old Town. Stories Connect You'll have a deep connection with the people & places of the past and build remarkable memories of Scotland's ancient & beautiful capital. Good for You, Good for Everyone Choosing us, a local, independent family business and Living Wage employer, means you support an ethical team rooted in our local community since 1985

Opening times

Daily 9am to 10pm

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