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 | Edinburgh Tours etc. Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 59 |  |
 | |  |  | Tours etc.: Ghost & Ghouls Tour-Mercat | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
There are several different companies offering ghost tours in Edinburgh, something about the mood of the city lends itself very well to this sort of thing, creeping along the dark closes of the city after dark and in the dark, dank vaults under the Royal Mile.
There are several companies that do these tours, I chose Mercat, no advance reservations were needed, just show up near St. Giles on the Royal Mile and look for the guy in the cape.
Mercat's tour wasn't like the cheesy ones we've done in places like New Orleans where you know you've heard the same story set in a different locale, really how many sausage makers ground their wives into sausages? And had a local police man bite into her wedding ring? This tour seemed to be based in fact, the guide enhanced the stories with gruesome sound effects, gory details and much animation which made it both historical and fun.
This tour focused on the area around the Royal Mile so there wasn't a ton of walking involved, after several stops above ground they took us into the vaults under the city. The guide did a really nice job of building up the haunted factor, even me, a huge skeptic, looked around in nervous anticipation of a ghostly spectre. And I may have even seen one in my room later that night ;-)
They offer a premium tour for an extra L1.50 which extends the tour to include a drink in a nearby pub, I didn't take this option because I still hadn't eaten dinner but in retrospect I should have, it would have been fun as I met some nice folks on the tour.
Some other options I've seen recommended:
Witchery Tours
Blackhart City of the Dead tour Leave a Comment Address: Mercat CrossPhone: 0131 557 6464Directions: Near St. Giles cathedral, Royal MileWebsite: http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp Other Contact: info@mercattours.com
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| | | | Tours etc.: Edinburgh Tours - City Sightseeing | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I believe the best way to explore a new city is to start off with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. The City Sightseeing Edinburgh tour was very good and informative. It went to all the major places in Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle, Princes St., The Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Greyfriars, Calton Hill, Holyrood House.
The driver and staff were helpful and friendly. if you had any questions.
The tour is in many languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian and Dutch.
Tickets are valid for 24 hours and you get 10% off the entry to Edinburgh Castle with your ticket.
Adults: GBP 8.50
Concession: GBP 7.50
Child: GBP 2.50
I took this tour in 2004 and 2005. I took it again in 2005 to refresh my memory, but found that I remembered most of the commentary anyway - it really sticks with you! Leave a Comment Address: Departs Waverley Bridge (1st stop)Phone: 0131 555 6363Website: http://www.lothianbuses.co.uk/Sightseeing/ Other Contact: www.edinburghtour.com
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| | | | Tours etc.: Witchery Tours: "Ghosts & Gore Tour" | Tip Rating: | | | | |
We signed up a week in advance through the Witchery's web site for the "Ghosts & Gore Tour." There was also a "Murder & Mystery" tour offered by this company, but we decided the former would hopefully be scarier. We were mistaken in assuming that it would be scary--nevertheless, we had a great time because it was so humourous. Sometimes the tour came off as slightly amateurish, but that made it even funnier--shopkeepers bristled at us when we walked the alleys, "Would you mind moving away from here please? I'm trying to throw out the garbage!"
The tour started at 7:00 PM. It was informative, they told lots of stories, demonstrated various torture devices, and as we walked around they had several characters jump out and describe different eras of Edinburgh's history. (One of their staff, Rory, ran frantically around town switching costumes and trying to head us off so he could jump out from behind buildings--the poor guy was usually completely winded.) The character, costume, and story of the "The Foule Clenger" was especially interesting.
Our guide, Alexander Clapperton (deceased), identified my girlfriend immediately from the crowd as a witch, and (did what all boyfriends can only secretly dream of) put a pair of thumbscrews on her. "Scream and confess you're a witch!," he told her, "Scream!". But as he tightened them, she held her ground and only muttered a whimpering "Owww..."
So, not scary but kind of fun. Kids would also love it!
The tour was very cheap, ?7. And as part of that admission, you get a book, "Adam Lyal's Witchery Tales," which is worth at least ?4.
Bonus Tip: Flip to the "Ghosts" chapter at the back of the book later and do your own walk of the haunted areas by night. It scared the hell out us! Leave a Comment Address: 84 West Bow (Victoria Street), Edinburgh, EH1 2HHPhone: +44 (0) 131 225 6745Website: http://www.witcherytours.com Other Contact: info@witcherytours.com
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| | | | Tours etc.: Secrets of the Royal Mile-Mercat | Tip Rating: | | | | |
After taking the Ghost & Ghouls tour with Mercat the night before, I decided to do a 2nd one with them during the daytime, Secrets of the Royal Mile. The crowd was a wee bit smaller for this one (2 of us!) I really enjoyed this one as well, our guide Olive took us into St. Giles pointing out things that I hadn't seen the day before when I visited, Parliament Hall, which is now a Law Court, which I hadn't known you could visit, showed us where John Knox is buried (in a car park behind St. Giles, marked only with a small square), told us the story of half-hangit Maggie and showed us the "peeing" statue of Charles II. The tour ended when we reached the top of the Royal Mile near Edinburgh Castle.
Cost was L7.50, you can save L1 if you have done a previous tour with them, bring your ticket with. Leave a Comment Address: Mercat CrossPhone: 0131 557 6464Website: http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp Other Contact: info@mercattours.com
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| | | | Tours etc.: Edinburgh Ghost Walk | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Edinburgh is reputed to be the most haunted city in the British Isles, except possibly York. While I'm a doubting Thomas, the Ghost Walks are immensely entertaining and informative. They teach a great deal of local history, folklore, and a good deal about the customs, architecture, and daily life of times past.
Several ghost walks take you into the passages that run beneath the Old Town. They are definitely eerie and would give anyone "the willies". St Mary's close is said to be the most haunted place. As the Black Death swept through Edinburgh in the 14th century, an entire neighborhood was sealed off and quarantined. Months later, after all had died, the place was cleaned out. This area lies beneath the City Chambers.
Later, these passages housed sweatshops and some of the workers who toiled inside them. There are all kinds of stories about them.
None of my photos have ever revealed any ghosts. Someone please let me know if you see any on this page that I missed. Leave a Comment Address: 4 Rothesay Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 7RYPhone: 44 (0)131 473 3666Directions: Visit the Edinburgh Convention Bureau at the above address, or the mercattours website below. The phone number is for the Convention Bureau.Website: http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp Other Contact: http://www.edinburgh.org/
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