Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour

Edinburgh’s dark past is brought to life on the Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour. Led by the quirky character of Alexander Clapperton, a deceased cemetery director, the 1.5-hour journey through the Old Town captivates visitors with chilling tales of witchcraft, executions, and plagues. Rated 4.8/5 from 176 reviews, this family-friendly tour offers an engaging and educational experience for all ages as they navigate the city’s cobblestoned streets. What mysteries await those who dare to uncover Edinburgh’s haunting history?

Key Points

• A 1.5-hour walking tour that explores Edinburgh’s dark history, including tales of witchcraft, punishments, executions, invasions, and plagues.
• Guided by the character of Alexander Clapperton, a deceased cemetery director from the 1840s, who provides a unique perspective through dark humor and historical anecdotes.
• Covers the cobblestoned streets and historic courtyards of Edinburgh’s Old Town, requiring appropriate footwear for the uneven and potentially slippery terrain.
• Suitable for both adults and teenagers, with a family-friendly atmosphere and high overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.8/5.
• Offers a full refund up to 24 hours in advance for those unable to attend the tour.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour experience that takes visitors on a light-hearted exploration of Edinburgh’s dark past.

Priced from $19.46 per person, the tour is conducted in English and is wheelchair accessible, excluding August. Guests can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Tour-goers can also reserve now and pay later. The tour is led by Alexander Clapperton, a deceased cemetery director from the 1840s, and covers tales of witchcraft, punishments, executions, invasions, and plague as participants walk through Old Town’s courtyards and closes.

Exploring Edinburgh’s Dark Past

As participants embark on the Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour, they explore the city’s dark and captivating history.

Led by the character of Alexander Clapperton, a deceased cemetery director from the 1840s, the tour explores the tales of witchcraft, punishments, executions, invasions, and plagues that have marked Edinburgh’s past.

With humor and historical anecdotes, the guide takes guests through the Old Town’s courtyards and closes, creating an engaging and light-hearted atmosphere as they uncover the city’s grim realities.

The tour offers a unique perspective on Edinburgh’s shadowy history, captivating visitors with its immersive and entertaining storytelling.

Meeting the Deceased Cemetery Director

Greeting guests from beyond the grave, Alexander Clapperton, a deceased cemetery director from the 1840s, leads the Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour.

With his dark humor and historical knowledge, Clapperton takes visitors on a light-hearted exploration of the city’s macabre past.

From tales of witchcraft to grisly executions, he weaves a captivating narrative that brings Edinburgh’s shadowy history to life.

Clapperton’s quirky character interactions and engaging storytelling have earned him praise from both adults and teenagers, making the tour a family-friendly experience.

Navigating the Cobblestoned Streets

Although the cobblestoned streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town can pose a challenge for walking, guests on the Ghosts & Gore tour are advised to wear appropriate shoes.

The uneven, slippery terrain of the historic courtyards and closes requires sturdy footwear to navigate safely. Tour participants should be mindful of their steps, as the winding passageways can be dimly lit.

The guide leads the group through these atmospheric alleyways, sharing tales of Edinburgh’s gruesome past while ensuring everyone’s safety on the journey.

Proper attire and caution are essential for an enjoyable and immersive Ghosts & Gore experience.

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Accessibility and Booking Details

The Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour is wheelchair accessible, except during the month of August.

The tour offers a convenient reserve now & pay later option, allowing participants to secure their spot with ease. Plus, the tour has a flexible cancellation policy, providing guests with the freedom to receive a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Key booking details include:

• Wheelchair accessibility (not in August)

• Reserve now & pay later option

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

Preparing for the Tour

Before embarking on the Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour, guests should ensure they’re prepared for the experience. Proper footwear is a must, as the tour navigates the cobblestoned streets of Old Town.

Proper footwear is essential for navigating the cobblestoned streets of Old Town during the Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour.

Guests should arrive 5 minutes early to the meeting point outside The Witchery by the Castle restaurant. During specific events, the tour may depart from 84 West Bow instead.

Video recording and bringing pets, except assistance dogs, are prohibited. While the tour is family-friendly, unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed.

With these guidelines in mind, visitors can look forward to an engaging and entertaining exploration of Edinburgh’s dark history.

Customer Experiences and Feedback

Customers have overwhelmingly praised the Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour, with an impressive 4.8/5 rating based on 176 reviews.

Reviewers highlighted several aspects that contributed to their positive experiences:

• The guide’s humor and extensive knowledge of Edinburgh’s dark history captivated participants, both adults and teenagers alike.

• The engaging storytelling and quirky character interactions by the guide, who portrays a deceased cemetery director from the 1840s, added a unique and entertaining element to the tour.

• Guests appreciated the family-friendly nature of the experience, finding it both educational and enjoyable.

Unique Tour Locations

The Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour takes participants on a unique journey through the city’s historic Old Town. Guests are led through the winding courtyards and narrow closes, seeing the dark history of Edinburgh. During specific events, the tour departs from an alternative location on West Bow to accommodate larger crowds. The tour’s flexibility ensures visitors can enjoy the experience even during busy festivals and concerts. With its engaging storytelling and quirky character interactions, the tour offers a one-of-a-kind exploration of Edinburgh’s spooky past.

| Meeting Point | Alternative Location | Important Dates |

|—————|———————-|—————–|

| Outside The Witchery by the Castle restaurant, 352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF | 84 West Bow (Victoria Street), EH1 2HH | Tours may vary in location from July 31 to August 26, 2023, and on specific concert dates in July |

Frequently Asked Questions

What Safety Precautions Are in Place During the Tour?

The tour requires appropriate footwear for cobblestone streets and doesn’t allow pets (except assistance dogs), video recording, or unaccompanied minors. Guests are advised to arrive 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, participants can’t bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour operator’s guidelines prohibit outside food and beverages to maintain the tour’s atmosphere and safety.

How Physically Demanding Is the Walking Component of the Tour?

The walking component of the tour is moderate, as guests will cover cobblestoned streets and navigate courtyards and closes. Comfortable shoes are recommended, but the pace is relaxed and allows for stops to hear the guide’s historical anecdotes.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention senior or student discounts, but visitors can check the operator’s website or contact them directly to inquire about any available discounted tickets.

Can I Customize the Tour to Focus on Specific Historical Events?

Unfortunately, the tour cannot be customized to focus on specific historical events. It follows a standard itinerary covering Edinburgh’s dark past, though the guide’s storytelling style allows for some flexibility in the content covered.

The Sum Up

The Edinburgh Ghosts & Gore Walking Tour offers a captivating exploration of the city’s haunting history. Led by the quirky character of a deceased cemetery director, the tour takes participants through the cobblestoned streets of the Old Town, where they’ll hear chilling tales of witchcraft, executions, and plagues. With a high rating and suitable for all ages, this tour provides an engaging and educational experience.

You can check availability for your dates here: