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Exclusive Underground Vaults Multi-Sensory History Tour

4.7 Great 1545 reviews
|
1h 15m
|
English
Free cancellation · up to 24 hours before Instant confirmation Live guide

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
1545 reviews
5
1277
4
175
3
51
2
24
1
18
Ratings collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor

Overview

Guidekin summary

Explore Blair Street Underground Vaults through sounds, scents and original artefacts you can touch. Guided vault access, the Vaults Museum, a scent card and a playlist are included; children must be over five. 4.73 from 1,545 reviews at €33 per person for 1h 15m.

From the guide

Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and its past far beyond your visit.

Take the Story Home: evoke the memories:
- Smell the leather and smoke
- Touch original artefacts
- Listen to the tour playlist

Get exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Built in the 18th Century beneath South Bridge, we’re the only walking tour company with access.

Beneath the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ll discover a dark, damp world that has remained unchanged since the 18th Century.
Step into the depths of the Blair Street Underground Vaults on a multi-sensory journey of perfectly preserved history and learn how these vaulted chambers became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.

This is more than a walking tour, it’s an unmissable immersive experience.

Schedule & Availability

Runs daily
Departures: 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:30
Scheduled through March 2028

This tour runs daily, departing at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:30. Scheduled through March 2028. These are the operator’s scheduled departures, not a live seat count: availability is confirmed at checkout. Schedule last checked October 1, 2026.

What's Included

Visit to our Vaults Museum, with interactive 3D models and the Vaults Revealed audio-visual display
Evoke the memories - Take home an exclusive Scent Card
Exclusive access to Blair Street Underground Vaults
Touch original artefacts
Enhanced with hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh and delivered through TourTalk audio devices
Exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh Tour Playlist
Exclusive multi-sensory tours; with master Storyteller guides

Itinerary

Mercat Cross Stop 1
Meet your master storyteller at the Mercat Cross, where they will lead you down the closes and wynds while you breathe in the scent of Edinburgh's past.
15 min
Edinburgh Vaults Stop 2
Beneath the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ll discover a dark, damp world that has remained unchanged since the 18th Century. Step into the depths of the Blair Street Underground Vaults on a multi-sensory journey of perfectly preserved history and learn how these vaulted chambers became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.
45 min
Continue your journey in our Vaults Museum, where authentic historic artifact... Stop 3
Continue your journey in our Vaults Museum, where authentic historic artifacts and informative interactive displays provide further insight into the vaults' past.
15 min

Departure & Return

Start point

Mercat Cross, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. Look for the 8 sided monument with white Unicorn on top. You will find a member of our visitor services team waiting here to check you in. They will be dressed in black, holding an iPad, wearing an orange lanyard & holding a black & orange umbrella.

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End point

Mercat Tours, 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR. This tour ends after a visit to our Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Additional Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children over 5yrs only
  • Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ daysFull refund
0-1 daysNo refund

Compared with other Ghost Tours & Vaults

TourPriceDurationRatingGroup
This tour · #23 of 28€331h 15m4.73 (1545)shared
Edinburgh - Dark History€212h4.96 (914)shared
Haunted Histories walking tour€211h 30m4.98 (211)shared
Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour€211h 10m4.9 (711)shared

Ranked #23 of 28 in Ghost Tours & Vaults by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €19 to €113, median €27; typical length 1h 30m. 1 of 28 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 28 Ghost Tours & Vaults

From € 33 / person