
Mercat Tours Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh's hidden history and haunted past with Mercat Tours, from atmospheric underground vaults to chilling ghost stories.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Spookiest atmosphere!

Mercat Tours Edinburgh
Best Time
Spookiest atmosphere!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Edinburgh's hidden history and haunted past with Mercat Tours, from atmospheric underground vaults to chilling ghost stories.
"Fantastic and worth this ghostly adventure. Our guide was amazing and played her role well."

🎧 Listen Up!
Most tours provide listening devices and headphones, ensuring you don't miss a word from your guide.
📚 Grab the Tour Book
Consider buying the tour book for extra historical info and pictures; it complements the tour well.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Underground Vaults Exploration
South Bridge
Descend into the atmospheric, historic subterranean chambers beneath Edinburgh's streets. A truly unique glimpse into the city's past.

Ghostly Tales of the Old Town
Royal Mile & surrounding areas
Hear chilling stories and local legends from knowledgeable guides on a captivating ghost tour. Perfect for a spooky evening adventure.

Secrets of the Royal Mile
Royal Mile
Uncover the rich history and hidden stories of Edinburgh's most famous street with an engaging walking tour.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Edinburgh Vaults Adventure
Comfortable Shoes for Cobblestones
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎧 Listen Up!
Most tours provide listening devices and headphones, ensuring you don't miss a word from your guide.
📚 Grab the Tour Book
Consider buying the tour book for extra historical info and pictures; it complements the tour well.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
Cobblestones and underground exploration demand comfortable footwear for a better experience.
👻 Ghost Tour Choice
Mercat is recommended for vaults, while others might offer different experiences.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎧 Listen Up!
Most tours provide listening devices and headphones, ensuring you don't miss a word from your guide.
📚 Grab the Tour Book
Consider buying the tour book for extra historical info and pictures; it complements the tour well.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes
Cobblestones and underground exploration demand comfortable footwear for a better experience.
👻 Ghost Tour Choice
Mercat is recommended for vaults, while others might offer different experiences.
📸 Capture the Moment
Keep an eye out for potential paranormal activity – some visitors have captured orbs in photos!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Mercat Tours Edinburgh receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with visitors frequently praising the engaging and knowledgeable guides, particularly for their ghost and underground vault tours. The atmospheric historical insights and well-organized logistics, including listening devices, are consistently highlighted as major strengths. While most experiences are highly recommended, some find the ghost tours more atmospheric than truly terrifying.
"Thank you to Russell, Rory, and Marina for yesterday’s Secrets of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle tour. Russell helped us make sure we got there on time, Rory welcomed us and got us checked in promptly. We all really enjoyed Marina’s presentation of the Royal Mile and attentiveness to everyone in our group. The stories were great and our devices worked well."
Jonathan Thompson
"Absolutely must!
Steph our guide was amazing and played her role well.
Sure we also caught an orb on a picture we took. Didn't personally experience anything spooky but was early with young children present. Could.imagine any later it may have been.
Fantastic and worth this ghostly adventure.
Thanks again to Steph."
Pui-San Morgans
"Went on the Edinburgh: Underground Vaults and Graveyard Evening Tour on the 11th July 2025 and had a wonderful time.
Our guide Shannon was very knowledgeable with regard to the city and brought plenty of theatre to the experience.
Mercat tours provided a listening device and headphones to each guest that made the entire experience far better as there was no straining to hear our guide over the sounds of the city.
The vaults are fascinating and as haunting as you think.
Very much recommend this tour."
M. Murphy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mercat Tours meeting points are typically in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, often near the Royal Mile or South Bridge. Many are easily accessible by foot from major city landmarks. Public transport options like buses are plentiful in the city center. Check your specific tour booking for the exact meeting location.
Yes, most meeting spots are centrally located and well-known. However, Edinburgh's winding streets can be confusing. It's advisable to use a map app on your phone and allow ample time to find your way, especially if you're unfamiliar with the city.
Driving in Edinburgh's Old Town can be challenging due to narrow streets and limited parking. It's generally recommended to use public transport or walk. If you do drive, research parking garages near your meeting point in advance.
Absolutely! Edinburgh has an extensive bus network that serves the city center and Royal Mile area where most Mercat Tours depart. Check local bus routes for the most convenient options to your specific meeting point.
The underground vaults tours typically meet near the South Bridge area. This is a very central location, easily reachable by walking from most parts of the Old Town or by a short bus ride to the city center.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tickets for Mercat Tours Edinburgh can be booked directly through their official website. It's highly recommended to book in advance, especially for popular ghost tours and underground vault tours, as they often sell out.
Yes, Mercat Tours offers a variety of experiences, including ghost tours, underground vault tours, and historical walking tours of the Royal Mile. Each tour focuses on different aspects of Edinburgh's history and mysteries.
Prices vary depending on the tour chosen. Generally, walking tours might be slightly less expensive than the underground vault or specialized ghost tours. Check the Mercat Tours website for current pricing and any available discounts.
While it might be possible for some less popular tours, it's strongly advised to book tickets in advance. Popular tours, especially ghost tours, sell out quickly, and you risk missing out if you wait until the day of.
Mercat Tours typically has a cancellation policy that allows for refunds or rescheduling up to a certain period before the tour. It's best to review their specific terms and conditions on their website when booking.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Expect a blend of historical facts and spooky storytelling. Guides are engaging and knowledgeable, often sharing local legends and tales of Edinburgh's haunted past. You'll likely explore atmospheric streets and potentially underground areas.
The underground vaults tours are atmospheric and can be quite eerie, with tales of historical hardship and hauntings. While not designed to be jump-scare heavy, they offer a genuinely spooky experience, especially for those sensitive to history and atmosphere.
Yes, Mercat Tours often provides listening devices and headphones for their tours. This ensures that everyone in the group can clearly hear the guide, even in noisy environments or when exploring underground.
Tour durations vary. Walking tours might be around 1.5 to 2 hours, while the underground vault and more in-depth ghost tours can last up to 2.5 hours. Always check the specific tour details when booking.
Mercat Tours often aims for smaller group sizes, especially for their underground tours, to enhance the experience and ensure comfort. This makes for a more intimate and less crowded exploration.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed on most Mercat Tours. However, be mindful of your surroundings, especially in dimly lit underground areas or when the guide is speaking. Some guides might ask you to refrain from flash photography in certain sensitive locations.
Look for atmospheric shots of the Old Town's closes and wynds, the historic graveyards, and the eerie interiors of the underground vaults. The dramatic architecture and shadowy corners offer great photographic potential.
While generally permitted, it's always best to follow your guide's instructions. In some very confined or historically sensitive areas, they might request no photography to preserve the atmosphere or protect the site.
For dimly lit underground vaults, you'll want to use a camera with good low-light performance. Consider increasing your ISO, using a wider aperture, and a steady hand or tripod if permitted. Many visitors use their smartphones effectively.
It's polite to ask your guide if you wish to take a photo of them. They are often happy to oblige, especially if it's for personal memories of the tour.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For younger families, a historical walking tour of the Royal Mile might be a better fit, focusing more on the history and less on the supernatural. Always check the tour descriptions for age recommendations and consider bringing snacks and drinks for younger ones. The use of listening devices can also help keep kids engaged.
👻 Thrill-Seekers & Paranormal Enthusiasts
Many visitors on these tours report feeling the eerie atmosphere of the vaults and streets, with some even capturing unexplained phenomena in photos. The combination of historical context and ghostly narratives makes for a truly memorable and thrilling adventure.
📚 History Buffs
Guides are typically well-versed in historical details and local lore, offering insights that go beyond standard guidebooks. The use of listening devices ensures you won't miss any of the fascinating historical narratives.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Edinburgh's Underground Vaults
Mercat Tours offers some of the most popular tours that delve into these subterranean spaces. Visitors often describe the experience as atmospheric and haunting, with guides sharing tales of the people who lived and worked in the vaults. The tours provide a unique perspective on Edinburgh's social history, revealing a hidden layer beneath the bustling city streets.
When visiting the vaults, be prepared for uneven surfaces and potentially damp conditions. Wearing comfortable shoes and dressing in layers is advisable. The tours are designed to be informative and engaging, offering a glimpse into a seldom-seen aspect of Edinburgh's past.
The Art of the Edinburgh Ghost Tour
Many tours explore the atmospheric closes and wynds of the Old Town, as well as venturing into the aforementioned underground vaults or historic graveyards. Visitors frequently praise the guides for their knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to create a truly immersive experience. Some even report capturing unexplained phenomena in their photographs, adding to the mystique.
For those seeking a thrilling and historically rich evening activity, an Edinburgh ghost tour with Mercat is a highly recommended choice. It's a chance to learn about the city's spectral inhabitants and the historical events that may have led to their lingering presence.
Walking Through History: Mercat's Royal Mile Tours
These tours typically cover key landmarks, hidden closes, and significant historical sites along the Royal Mile, providing context for the city's development and its famous residents. They are a fantastic way to orient yourself on your first day in Edinburgh, offering a comprehensive overview that helps you build a mental map of the Old Town.
With the use of listening devices, you can be sure to catch every detail, even in bustling street environments. These walking tours are a great introduction to Edinburgh's heritage, blending historical facts with captivating storytelling.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit