Edinburgh: Historic Underground Vaults Daytime Tour

The historic underground vaults of Edinburgh have long captivated the imagination of visitors. This popular daytime tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the eerie Blair Street Vaults and uncover the stories of their former residents. From 19th-century artifacts to enhanced audio experiences, the tour promises an immersive journey into the city’s past. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the city’s hidden gems, this tour might just pique your interest.

Key Points

• Explore the Blair Street Underground Vaults, a 75-minute guided tour providing insight into the lives of former residents.
• Enjoy an enhanced audio experience with TourTalk devices and access to the Discovery Room showcasing 19th-century artifacts.
• Choose between shared or private tour options to accommodate your preferences, with flexible booking and free cancellation.
• Tour guides are highly rated for their knowledge and entertainment, offering excellent value for money.
• Not suitable for visitors with mobility issues or children under 5 due to uneven floors and damp environment.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Edinburgh Underground Vaults Daytime Tour is a 75-minute activity that takes visitors on an exploration of the historic Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Priced from $28.54 per person, the tour is conducted in English and has earned a rating of 4.6/5 based on 537 reviews.

Tour highlights include learning about the lives of people who lived and worked in the vaults, accessing the Discovery Room to touch 19th-century artifacts, and enjoying an enhanced audio experience with TourTalk devices.

While the tour isn’t suitable for young children or those with mobility issues, it offers both shared and private tour options to accommodate various needs.

Booking Information

Booking for the Edinburgh Underground Vaults Daytime Tour is flexible, offering free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For added convenience, there’s a reserve now and pay later option. The tour meets at the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile, next to St Giles Cathedral. Travelers can choose from shared or private tour options, ensuring a tailored experience.

The tour includes TourTalk devices for better audio quality. However, the vaults have uneven floors, so the tour isn’t suitable for children under 5 or those with mobility issues.

Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Tour Highlights

Explore the history of Blair Street Underground Vaults during this 75-minute Edinburgh Underground Vaults Daytime Tour. Explore the lives of those who once lived and worked in these dimly lit passages. Access the Discovery Room to touch 19th-century artifacts, bringing the past to life. Choose from shared or private tour options to suit your preferences. Enjoy an enhanced audio experience with the included TourTalk devices.

| Tour Highlights |

| — | — | — | — | — |

| Explore Blair Street Underground Vaults | Learn about former residents’ lives | Access Discovery Room & artifacts | Shared or private tour options | TourTalk audio devices |

Customer Feedback

Participants have praised the tour guides, rating them an impressive 4.9 out of 5. Reviewers highlighted the informative and entertaining nature of the tour, led by knowledgeable guides.

Travelers noted the tour provided excellent value for money, scoring 4.4 out of 5. However, some visitors cautioned that the uneven floors in the vaults may pose challenges for those with mobility issues.

More Great Tours Nearby

Exploring the Blair Street Underground Vaults

The Blair Street Underground Vaults, located beneath the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, offer visitors a unique glimpse into the city’s past. As part of the daytime tour, guests descend into these 18th-century chambers, once home to merchants, tradespeople, and the destitute. Exploring the vaults, visitors learn about the lives of those who sought refuge in these dimly lit spaces. The tour also provides access to the Discovery Room, where guests can touch 19th-century artifacts, adding a tangible connection to the vaults’ history.

| Chamber Purpose | Chamber Description |

| — | — |

| Merchant Trade | Spacious vaults used for storage and commerce |

| Residential Living | Cramped, poorly ventilated spaces that housed the impoverished |

| Entertainment | Vaults repurposed for taverns, brothels, and other illicit activities |

Life in the Vaults

As visitors explore the dimly lit chambers of the Blair Street Underground Vaults, they uncover the harsh realities of life for those who sought refuge in these 18th-century spaces.

• The vaults were a haven for the city’s poorest, who eked out an existence in the damp, cramped quarters, huddled around meager fires.

• Illegal activities, such as whisky distilling and bodysnatching, thrived in the shadowy recesses.

• Disease and unsanitary conditions plagued the inhabitants, who faced constant risk of injury from the uneven, treacherous floors.

• Entire families, including children, lived in these grim, makeshift dwellings, enduring the hardships of urban poverty.

• Despite the adversity, a sense of community emerged, as residents banded together to survive in the underground world.

The Discovery Room and 19th-Century Artifacts

Visitors to the Edinburgh Underground Vaults tour can access the Discovery Room, where they’ll find a collection of 19th-century artifacts recovered from the site. These relics provide a glimpse into the lives of the Vaults’ former occupants.

| Artifact | Description | Significance |

| — | — | — |

| Clay Pipe | Fragmented tobacco pipe | Indicates recreational activities |

| Leather Boot | Well-worn boot sole | Reflects living conditions and poverty |

| Ceramic Shards | Broken dishware pieces | Suggests domestic life and activities |

These artifacts offer tangible connections to the past, allowing visitors to better understand the hardships and realities faced by those who once inhabited the Edinburgh Underground Vaults.

Accessibility and Recommendations

Although the Edinburgh Underground Vaults tour offers a unique historical experience, it may not be suitable for all visitors. The uneven floors and narrow passageways throughout the vaults can pose challenges for those with mobility issues.

The uneven floors and narrow passageways of the Edinburgh Underground Vaults can pose challenges for visitors with mobility issues.

The tour isn’t recommended for children under 5 years old. Plus, visitors should dress appropriately for the damp, cool environment and wear comfortable shoes.

Pets aren’t allowed, with the exception of service animals. Despite these considerations, the tour provides an engaging and immersive glimpse into Edinburgh’s past for those able to navigate the subterranean setting.

• Uneven floors and narrow passageways

• Not suitable for children under 5

• Dress for a cool, damp environment

• Wear comfortable shoes

• Pets not allowed (service animals permitted)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photographs During the Tour?

Photography is allowed during the tour, but visitors are advised to be mindful of others and avoid using flash as it may disrupt the experience. Guests should follow the tour guide’s instructions regarding photography in the sensitive underground vaults.

Is There a Minimum Group Size Requirement?

There’s no minimum group size requirement for the Edinburgh Underground Vaults Daytime Tour. Guests can opt for shared tours or private tours, whichever suits their preference and schedule best.

Do I Need to Print the Voucher or Can I Show It Digitally?

The voucher can be shown digitally. No need to print it, as the tour operators accept digital vouchers. Customers can simply present their booking confirmation on their mobile device at the meeting point.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?

The tour doesn’t offer any specific discounts for seniors or students, but there’s a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance, which can provide flexibility for those on a budget.

What Type of Payment Methods Are Accepted for Booking?

The tour offers a reserve now & pay later option, allowing flexibility with payment. Plus, visitors can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The Sum Up

The Edinburgh Historic Underground Vaults Daytime Tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past. Visitors can explore the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults, learning about the lives of former residents and viewing 19th-century artifacts. With a highly-rated experience and flexible booking options, this tour is a must-do for those seeking an enhanced understanding of Edinburgh’s rich history.

You can check availability for your dates here: