A city as old as Edinburgh is bound to have its share of history, both bright and bloody. City tours of "Auld Reekie", as it is affectionately referred to, tend to lean more towards the latter. As a visitor, there are countless ghost and history tours and attractions to choose from, but what kind of experience will each provide? Here's a basic outline of some of the most popular (and haunting) tours of Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Dungeon
The amusement park of ghost tours. While the dungeon will provide visitors with a bit of historical fact, it's mostly an excellent source of entertainment. Buying a ticket automatically implies interacting with the performers, which may mean being charged by a ghoulish judge for a seedy crime, or being forced to endure some ancient methods of torture (no real harm done!).
This haunted stop has everything from a maze of mirrors to an eerie boat ride in pitch darkness. Be prepared to say "yes" to just about anything, because "no" is virtually impossible. Not for the faint of heart or the easily startled - it is recommended to bring a hand to hold!
Mercat Tours
Probably the most popular and well-attended tour company in Edinburgh, Mercat Tours offers a wide variety of guided tours, from solely historical to supernatural-based. The tour circuit is almost identical for every tour, with the content and focus of the guide's discussion changing, depending on the type.
Mercat Tours are highly informative and delightfully creepy. Each tour takes its participants into the underground vaults beneath Edinburgh's South Bridge. Mercat's guides are always knowledgeable, passionate about the city, and kind (they are always willing to escort nervous or scared guests back to the ground level).
One word of warning: despite the array of options, attending one historical tour and one supernatural tour through Mercat Tours is plenty - going on more than one of the supernatural tours will result in a lot of repeat information (though it will always be fun!).
Black Hart Entertainment Tours
Black Hart's most famous tour starts off near St. Giles Cathedral on High Street before making its way to the Greyfriar's Kirk (Church). The tour continues through the Kirkyard, which is filled with highly ornate gravestones, and is reputedly haunted. Black Hart draws the most attention to the ghost of one George MacKenzie, a Scottish lawyer who was buried in the Kirkyard in 1691. It is said that he inhabits the Black Mausoleum, a portion of the Kirkyard to which Black Hart has sole access.
While somewhat informative from a historical standpoint, Black Hart is also known for their strong and quirky sense of humour. Their tours are highly dramatic, delivered by guides who are well equipped with sarcasm and fantastically captivating accents. More than anything, then, Black Hart Entertainment offers just what its name says: an entertaining ride.
A note on this tour: don't expect to be attacked by a real poltergeist on your visit, but do keep in mind that a "poltergeist" of some sort may rear its ugly head before the night is over.
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