South Bridge Vaults — Why These Famous Edinburgh Vaults Are On My Bucket List

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Also known as the Edinburgh Vaults, the South Bridge Vaults nearly gave me a heart attack when I visited them ten years ago — on a failed honeymoon at the start of a marriage that turned out to be scarier than the ghosts.

But I digress.

Now I’m thinking about going back and I want to know what I missed the last time while my eyes were shut. Which tour groups are offering the best — and ideally least harrowing — way back into Edinburgh’s underground?

Why the South Bridge Vaults in Edinburgh Are Still on My List

Can someone who’s petrified of ghosts still feel the urge to be scared to death in what’s reputed to be the most haunted location in Edinburgh?

Apparently, yes — because that’s exactly how I feel about the South Bridge Vaults.

I remember almost nothing from my first visit, apart from walking past a massive banner with Yvette Fielding’s face on it and then standing outside afterwards, watching my hands visibly shake.

Here’s what’s tempting me.

• Can someone as petrified as me really visit the Edinburgh Vaults and survive? I’m curious to see what tours – if any – offer enough of a scare to satisfy the itch, but also leave me tempted to try something more extreme next time.
• Local lore claims the first person to cross South Bridge did so in a coffin. When the honour of being the first to cross South Bridge went to a judge’s wife, no one expected her to die the night before. She was taken over in her coffin anyway — or so the story goes.
• With crime and debauchery supposidly rife in the Edinburgh Vaults, there’s bound to be links with bodysnatchers and Burke and Hare. Any mention of bodysnatching and I’m like a moth to a flame. Will I learn any new snippets or cases I can follow up later? Am I actually walking in their footsteps? Who knows.

What to See in the South Bridge Vaults (Or What Does Everyone Have on their list)

Google anything about the South Bridge Vaults and you’ll see the same thing again and again: you have to go on a tour. The Vaults are just one part of what’s often called the most haunted city in the world.

I quickly got confused by the different vault names and needed to figure out exactly what I might be seeing.

Here’s a short sum-up , just to clear things up:

• Witches Covens
• Damnation Alley
• The ‘Most Haunted Live’ Vaults
• Niddry Street Vaults
• Blair Street Vaults

I couldn’t actually pin down any one thing to see — it seems to be more about atmosphere and how good the guide is.

But I managed to narrow it down to a few features that kept coming up to make sure this one was added to my bucket list.

Edinburgh Underground City Tours: My Top South Bridge Vaults Picks

I’ve really started to enjoy tracking down tours — whether it’s a ghost walk or a more placid historical wander. Being able to book them quickly and tag them onto a trip has become one of the more satisfying parts of planning.

That said, the same tour often gets described differently on Viator, GetYourGuide, and the company’s own site. Whether it’s down to marketing or just adding a bit of variety, it does make things… interesting lets say.

Anyway, here’s my round-up of the tours I’d be brave enough — or just curious enough — to try when I finally head into the Edinburgh Vaults.

Auld Reekie Tours of Edinburgh’s South Bridge Vaults (Niddry Street Access)

Auld Reekie say they offer the most extensive tour of the Edinburgh Vaults — and they’re the only company with genuine links to witchcraft.

Founded in 1995, they’ve racked up awards from Viator (2022) and were named Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024.

Plus, if you’re looking for the vaults mentioned on ‘Most Haunted Live’ then these are it!

You can check out all of the tours offered by Auld Reekie on GetYourGuide – but here are the just two that have made my list.

Vaults & Graveyard Tour (90 mins, not suitable for under 12s)

Evening only.

Now this sounds more like it. A visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Niddry Street Vaults under South Bridge.

Bodysnatching was my first love — and I never tire of those stories. A guided tour really does help you take it all in, instead of wandering around half-clueless. I’d be especially interested in the Greyfriars section of this one.

Apparently, the vaults have also officially been declared “the most haunted place in Scotland” by Most Haunted Live — which might explain why Yvette Fielding’s face was the last thing I saw before bolting for the exit ten years ago.

You can book it on Viator/ GetYourGuide

The Terror Tour (75 mins, strictly over 18s)

Night-only, after 9pm.

This one starts with a medieval torture exhibition, featuring devices from Nuremberg and Bamberg Castles in Germany dating back to the 1500s and 1600s — which, frankly, would be the highlight for me.

I’m also slightly curious as to how these devises ended up under a bridge in Edinburgh.

After that, you head into the Niddry Street Vaults, which Auld Reekie claim are paranormally active and “renowned as the world’s scariest place.”

I’m not proud to say it, but on this tour, I’d be absolutely bricking it.

You can book it onViator /GetYourGuide

City of the Dead Tours – Covenantors’ Prison, Mackenzie Poltergeist & Full-On Fear

If I had to start anywhere, it’d be here. City of the Dead Tours are the only company with exclusive access to the Covenanters’ Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard — as well as the Black Mausoleum, resting place of the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist, described as “the best documented supernatural case of all time.”

They also run an underground tour through the legendary Damnation Alley — the South Bridge Vaults’ pièce de résistance.

And unlike most of the tours I’ve shortlisted here, I’ve actually had the pleasure (and the nerves) of experiencing what City of the Dead have to offer.

I was invited on the Underground City of the Dead Tour after a walk through Greyfriars Kirkyard with the current owner/operator. But just to be clear — these thoughts are entirely my own.

You can check out all of City of the Dead’s tours on their website — but these are the two that stood out to me.

The Double Dead Tour (1hr 50 mins, Strictly Over 12s Only)

I don’t even know where to begin with this one!

There are warnings from the off: you might need a stiff drink afterwards (luckily the tour ends by a bar). There’s also a very serious health warning: this tour can cause real physical or mental distress. You join at your own risk.

From the South Bridge vaults to the legendary Greyfriars Kirkyard, this one is definatley NOT for the feint hearted.

If you intend to go on this walk, please read the disclaimers and advice on the City of The Dead’s official website.

I can safely say now that there’s no way I’d be heading off on this tour!

If you’re brave enough or mad enough, you can book direct with City of The Dead Tours

Underground City of The Dead Tour (90 mins, Strictly Over 12s only)

Throughout The Day

Researched and written by award-winning author Jan-Andrew Henderson, this tour takes you into Damnation Alley — the most infamous section of the South Bridge Vaults.

It’s also where you’ll hear accounts of the South Bridge Entity, a malevolent presence who calls the vaults its home. This one’s not for the faint-hearted.

Some past visitors have called it “disturbingly fascinating.” You join at your own risk.

You can book direct with City of The Dead Tours

Mercat Tours of Edinburgh’s South Bridge Vaults (Blair Street Access)

Mercat claim to be Scotland’s most decorated walking tour company — and they’ve got the awards to back it up.

Founded in 1985 (before ghost tours were even a thing in Edinburgh), they still run two of their original tours today: Secrets of the Royal Mile and Ghosts and Ghouls — both of which sound genuinely worth a look.

They’ve picked up accolades including VisitScotland’s Thistle Award (2021) and Scottish Excellence Awards in both 2023 and 2025.

You can browse all of their tours on GetYourGuide – but here’s two that caught my attention.

Evening of Ghosts & Ghouls (2hrs, ages 5+)

Evenings only.

You’ll start above ground with a walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, before heading down into the Blair Street Vaults – where a candlelit cellar, a wee dram, and a storyteller are waiting.

As part of the “Edinburgh mob,” you’ll hear tales of witchcraft, torture, and two unnamed men… which must be Burke and Hare. Who else could it be? That reference alone is enough to pique my interest.

You can book it on Viator or GetYourGuide

Doomed, Dead and Buried (1hr 45 mins, Adults only)

Evenings only

Mercat’s more chilling option by the sounds of things, this one takes you through the Blair Street Vaults and Canongate Kirkyard — which makes a nice change, since most ghost tours can’t seem to escape the clutches of Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Mackenzie Poltergeist.

You get a master storyteller plus an audio device playing ‘hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh’ as you go — which sounds oddly brilliant if I’m honest.

The route starts in the wynds and closes of the Old Town (I’d happily explore those on any tour), then heads down into the vaults before finishing at Canongate.

I’m hoping for solid bodysnatching stories — there are enough caged lairs to justify it — but what I really want to hear more about is the infamous Canongate Cannibal. I wonder if it’s the same one I’m thinking of…

You can book it on Viator or GetYourGuide

City Of Edinburgh Ghost Tours

Auld Reekie, City of The Dead and Mercat Tours are the names that come up most often — and with good reason. But they’re not the only ones running ghost tours through the South Bridge Vaults.

A couple of others stood out — either for the stories they focus on, the specific Edinburgh vaults they access, or just how many people keep booking them.

One in particular was City of Edinburgh Tours.

They offer a few different options from an Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour to their ’famous’ Underground Ghost Tour, both of which seem to have excellent reviews.

Can I just say — they seem to be the only tour company that hasn’t changed the name of their tour depending on which platform you’re searching. Very refreshing.

Their adult -only option is of course the Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour (bookable on both GetYourGuide and Viator).

Billed as having to be very brave to even contemplate this one, I couldn’t figure out which vaults they access, but they seem to spend a decent amount of time underground — which, let’s face it, is what you’re here for.

Oh — and weirdly enough, while you’re underground, you can look up through a fitted window and see people walking above you. There may or may not be jump scares — but phrases like “keep your eyes peeled” and “after plenty of frights” don’t exactly fill me with hope.

This one also includes a late-night visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard and a wander through some of Edinburgh’s darker wynds. Hardened ghost hunters or die-hard sceptics only, please.”

Lastly, who could resist the ‘World Famous Underground Ghost Tour’? It sounds much more in keeping with my delicate disposition. Suitable for families, it takes you to the same places as the Extreme Tour — but the ghosts are less active, apparently.

With 75 minutes of stories from Edinburgh’s darker side, I think I may have finally found the South Bridge tour for me…

So yes — I’m still curious enough to go back underground. I missed most of it the first time — eyes half shut, nerves shredded.

So this is me, cautiously reopening the case.

I’ll let you know if I survive a second visit.

Note: I now write mainly about historical crime, punishment, and tracing criminal ancestors — but I’ve kept this older ghost tour post live for fellow vault wanderers.