Historic underground walking tour of Edinburgh
Activities

Historic underground walking tour of Edinburgh

5/5
Excellent
Based on 2 reviews
from
£19.11
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Why you’ll love this…
  • Get exclusive access to the famous Blair Street Underground Vaults
  • Discover secrets and stories of Edinburgh’s underworld
  • Enjoy a personal tour in a small group
  • See and touch 19th-century artifacts
What to expect

Beneath the bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town you’ll discover a dark, damp world unchanged since the 18th century. Your expert guide will lead you deep into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and together you’ll explore their history – including how they became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.

It’s a story rooted in Edinburgh’s Georgian past – grand feats of engineering, the expansion of the city, and those left behind in its darkest corners. Why were the vaults built? Who used them? Save your questions for your guide, a masterful storyteller who will bring the history of the vaults to life, talking you through some of the artefacts that have survived.

This walking tour takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, with time at the end in the Discovery Room – complete with 3D model and artefacts.

Read more
What's included
  • check Guided walking tour
  • check Headsets (to hear the guide)
  • check Local guide
Where

Mercat Cross, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, United Kingdom

Meeting point:
The Mercat Cross is an 8 sided monument situated on the Royal Mile. The tour departs from right in front of it.
What to remember
  • Please arrive at the meeting point (Mercat Cross, Royal Mile, EH1 1RF) at least 15 minutes before the beginning of your tour to allow time to check in
  • Tour ends: Blair Street Underground Vaults, 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR
  • Concession tickets apply to seniors (aged 65+) and students (aged 16+) with a valid student ID
  • Children over five years of age are very welcome, but children under 5 are not permitted on any of our tours
  • Please bring your own set of 3.5 mm jack headphones for use with the TourTalk devices, otherwise these can be provided for you
  • Please note, anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to join the tour
  • This tour runs in all weather conditions, please dress accordingly to the weather. Sensible walking shoes are advised
  • Please note only service dogs are welcome on this tour, no other pets
  • The maximum number of participants is 18 people
Read more
Provider
Mercat Tours
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

5/5

Based on 2 reviews from verified customers

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Review categories

Safety

5/5

Staff

5/5

Value for money

5/5

Service

5/5

  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - March 2025

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The guides were really helpful, sociable and personable, from booking in, to the tour itself. Veni was very good, we c ...

  • Amy

    From Germany - July 2024

    Travelled with family

     

    18 - 24 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

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