Spooky Things to Do In Edinburgh
Edinburgh is my favorite destination for fall, for numerous reasons. The cool and dreary weather, the gothic architecture, and the over 900 years worth of history everywhere you turn make for a cozy, dark, and magical environment. And if you’re into all things spooky season and Halloween, then Edinburgh is the perfect place to celebrate and explore all things macabre. Visit centuries’ old graveyards where poltergeists lurk, explore underground vaults with horrific histories, and dive deep into Edinburgh’s oftentimes troubled and dark history through the centuries. Keep reading for some of my favorite spooky things to do in Edinburgh!
Is Edinburgh a Good Place To Visit in The Fall?
Scotland is notorious for their weather- it’s known to be quite rainy, unpredictable, and at many times throughout the year, cold. So, is Edinburgh even worth visiting during the primary spooky season (and during Halloween and Samhain) of October and November? Absolutely! October is the beginning of shoulder season in Scotland, meaning the end of peak tourist season. It’s a great time to travel to any destination because there’s less crowds and it’s typically less expensive to travel and stay there.
Weather wise, I think October is a GREAT time to visit Edinburgh. That is, if you’re okay with chilly temperatures, constant wind, and drizzles of rain. You’ll certainly need to layer up, as average temperatures in Edinburgh in October are typically anywhere from 40 degrees (fahrenheit) to 55 degrees. You’ll also need to pack a rain jacket, as October is one of Scotland’s rainiest months (and no, don’t bother with an umbrella, as it won’t stand a chance against the Scottish wind). Although the Scottish weather can be a bit unpredictable (as someone who thrives in gloomy and moody climates), I think Edinburgh is the PERFECT fall destination. The gloomy, moody weather serves to complement Edinburgh’s atmosphere so full of history, stories, and, at sometimes- darkness, making it an almost magical place to visit. Now that we’ve covered why visiting Edinburgh during fall is a good idea, let’s get into the good stuff: Scary things to do in Edinburgh!
The Real Mary King’s Close
Did you know that in the 17th and 16th centuries, Edinburgh was a HOTBED for the plague and disease? By the 1600s, Edinburgh was experiencing some severe overcrowding due to being enclosed by the Flodden Wall (built in the 1500s after a severe attack on the city). This wall essentially prevented outward expansion of the city, and thus, people were forced to build on top of existing buildings and structures. With already narrow and cramped living conditions, you can imagine the filth that filled the streets, making it an ideal place for diseases like the Plague to spread.
And boy, did it spread in Edinburgh. In fact, during the Great Plague of 1645, historians estimate that nearly HALF of the city’s population was wiped out? To combat the further spread of plague, many residences and closes were bricked up to quarantine their residents- oftentimes leaving them to die inside. One example (and perhaps the most infamous) example of this is The Real Mary King’s Close.
Of all of the spooky things to do in Edinburgh, the Real Mary King’s Close is one of my favorites. Located centrally on the Royal Mile, you’ll go beneath Old Town and tour a 17th century residence and learn about life in Edinburgh at the time of plagues, witch hunts, and more. You’ll hear stories from plague doctors and some of Edinburgh’s most prominent figures throughout the last 400 years- even stepping into a room where an entire family succumbed to the plague. You’ll also get the chance to experience some ghostly activity in Annie’s room, where it’s rumored the spirit of a little girl remains.
The Real Mary King’s Close offers a variety of tours to choose from. You can choose from:
- Guided Tour (the general overview)
- Lantern Led Guided Tour (HIGHLY recommend this one- it’s their after dark tour with only ‘candlelight’ to guide you (okay, it’s actually the mini led candles, but it’s still a cool experience!). My fiance and I thought this tour was completely worth it- we learned so much about Edinburgh’s history!)
- Closes and Coffee (a morning tour with coffee tasting)
- Halloween Guided Tours (mid-late October only, choose between spookier tours such as a guided tour with a Halloween dinner OR a more true-crime focused tour). Perfect for anyone looking for creepy things in Edinburgh! Book a tour at the Real Mary King’s Close here:
Explore Greyfriar’s Kirkyard
A list of spooky things to do in Edinburgh would not be complete without a visit to Greyfriar’s Kirkyard! Located at the edge of Edinburgh’s Old Town, this graveyard is allegedly one of the most haunted places in Scotland. Open 24 hours (and with free entry), an Autumn stroll through Greyfriar’s is one of my favorite activities to do in Edinburgh.
So what makes it so spooky? Well, similar to many locations in Edinburgh, Greyfriar’s Kirkyard has several centuries’ worth of bloody, dark history. For starters, Greyfriar’s sits at the edge of what used to be the border of the city, with the Flodden Wall running right through the graveyard. The Flodden Wall was constructed in 1513 as a defense against invasion after the Battle of Flodden resulted in a bloody defeat for the Scottish. Whilst the Battle of Flodden didn’t directly occur on the grounds of the Kirkyard, the Wall is a dark and somewhat intimidating reminder of Edinburgh’s dark history.
Most of the ghost stories from Greyfriar’s Kirkyard come from Scotland’s religious troubles in the 17th century. After Scottish Presbyterians (called Covenanters) were brutally defeated at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, thousands were taken prisoner and held in a section of Greyfriar’s Kirkyard now called the Covenanter’s Prison. Many were tortured, held outside and left to succumb from disease, starvation, and exposure. The graveyard has a degree of heaviness in the air, like you can almost feel the sadness and despair from the prisoners. Tourists and locals alike report seeing apparitions, orbs, and even cold spots near the Covenanter’s Prison.
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard is also rumored to be home to a violent poltergeist- notoriously known as the ‘Mackenzie Poltergeist’, he’s a very real person who had a deliberate hand in Edinburgh’s bloody history. Sir George Mackenzie or ‘bluidy (bloody) Mackenzie’, was a 17th century lawyer- the very one responsible for locking up the Covenanters mentioned above- and for their unfortunate, cruel demise in prison. You can visit George Mackenzie’s final resting place at the Black Mausoleum, which, ironically, sits just yard away from where his victims once suffered in the Covenanter’s Prison. Over the years there’s been reports of mild ghost activity at the Black Mausoleum- light touches, chills, feelings of uneasiness, etc… but there has also been reports of violent activity here, so much so that sections of Greyfriars nearby the mausoleum have been gated off for public safety. People have reported getting screamed or growled at, getting kicked, hit, or even scratched. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the ghost stories alone are enough to send a shiver down your back when you’re standing in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard.
Visit the Edinburgh Vaults
If you don’t check out the Edinburgh Vaults when looking for spooky things to do in Edinburgh, you’re seriously missing out on a creepy, historic aspect of Scotland’s Capital city. So, what are the Edinburgh Vaults?
Remember the Flodden Wall I mentioned above- the one built around the city of Edinburgh in 1513 to prevent invasion (particularly by the English?). Well, this wall caused a dilemma as Edinburgh’s population continued to grow. Edinburgh’s hilly natural landscape combined with the Flodden Wall forced the city to expand upwards, not outwards. People were essentially living on top of each other, with building heights reaching up to 14 stories tall sometimes. This coincided with the construction of the South Port Bridge in the 1700’s. To help accommodate the needs of residents and merchants, many of the arches underneath the bridge were sealed off to create empty rooms- making up storage rooms.
This plan, however, backfired. In you know anything about Edinburgh… you’ll know that it’s an extremely wet city. The vaults quickly became subject to leaks, floods, and mold, making them unsustainable for their original purpose. When the merchants moved out, the vaults were forgotten. Nearly a century later, they were rediscovered… and some of Edinburgh’s poorest residents, as well as criminals moved in.
My fiance and I booked a vaults tour during our last trip to Edinburgh, and it is CREEPY. Imagine a series of dark, underground rooms that have been sealed off and forgotten. No light, no air, no warmth… plus frequent flooding and zero sanitation. Now imagine being down there in the 19th century- without access to electricity or flashlights (torches, for my UK friends 🙂 ). It is incredibly eerie. People living in poverty moved in for some semblance of shelter- risking their lives not only for the horrid conditions- but also for the threat of who knows who or what else down there. Our tour guide mentioned to us that when traveling through the rooms by candle light… you would most likely only realize someone else was there once you were within mere feet of them. And with many of them being criminals… yeah, the thought of that is terrifying. Especially when you consider the fact that the Southport Vaults are rumored to be the once-stomping grounds of body-snatchers such as Burke and Hare.
The Edinburgh Vaults have also attracted the attention of witches, cults, and other ritualistic groups. There’s said to be immense spiritual activity in these vaults, possibly demonic in nature. We visited one with a ritualistic stone circle- said to be extremely dangerous if you decide to step into it.
Due to the Edinburgh Vaults being largely private property these days (and the dark, potentially dangerous nature of them), you do have to have to book a tour to explore them. Honestly- it’s a great experience to learn more about Edinburgh and the history of the vaults (and any spooky activity going on in them). There’s a number of great tours to choose from- whether you want to focus mostly on history, the paranormal, or a mix of both (which is what we wanted!).
Go for a drink at The Banshee Labyrinth
If you need some liquid courage ahead of your spooky activities in Edinburgh (or need to relax afterwards!), I highly recommend heading to the Banshee Labyrinth Bar! Located right next to the Niddry Street Vaults, the Banshee Labyrinth claims to be Scotland’s most haunted bar. Once a part of the very Edinburgh Vaults we just discussed, The Banshee Labyrinth was once home to notorious witch-hunter Nichol Edwards in the 1500s. It’s widely believed he used his basement as a dungeon/interrogation room for innocents he accused- and he supposedly now haunts the Banshee Labyrinth.
Bar-goers have reported eerie feelings, ghostly sightings, and even drinks being thrown off their tables. It’s certainly spooky to be in, but the alternative community, vintage film theater, live comedy and music give it a unique and fun vibe, all right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Embark on a Ghost Tour
For a ghostly good time in Edinburgh, I recommend a ghost tour! As there are an endless amount of historical sites and grisly tales in Scotland’s capital city, you simply can’t go wrong by booking a ghost tour in Edinburgh. Depending on your interests and how frightened you’d like to be, there’s a spooky tour in Edinburgh for everyone.
For a more light-hearted, comedic, and family friendly ghost tour in Edinburgh, I’d recommend The Ghost Bus Tour. This tour combines Edinburgh’s ghostly history with a more theatrical vibe- all on a vintage bus! Reviews say that this tour won’t necessarily give you the creeps, but it’s a great option for children as well as for those who may scare easy.
For a great ghost tour for history lovers (and those who love a good fright!), I would recommend either Mercat Tours or Auld Reekie Tours. Whether you want to explore the haunted and storied history of Edinburgh’s 900 year old Royal Mile, or dive deep into the extremely creepy Edinburgh Vaults and graveyards, there’s a ghost tour for everyone. My fiance and I went on Auld Reekie’s The Vaults and Graveyard tour after dark, and it was fantastic- a great mix of Edinburgh history and scary ghost tales. More than a few times I felt a bit unsettled- so I’d say it was an entertaining and spooky night! Book an Edinburgh ghost tour here:
Spooky Things To Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is truly one of a kind. Its moody, misty atmosphere combined with gothic architecture and hundreds of years’ worth of bloody and dark history make it the perfect destination to dive into all things spooky. I hope you enjoyed this post full of some of my favorite Edinburgh recommendations- and if you’re brave enough to embark on these spooky activities the next time you visit Edinburgh- let me know what you think!
For more cool things to do in Edinburgh, check out this post!
