Auld Reekie Tours
BEST FOR
Ages 2+
ENTRY
from £20
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Torch-lit walks through Edinburgh's sealed-up underground vaults, with a torture exhibition and ghost stories for kids old enough to handle the dark.
You go down under South Bridge into the old vaults, storage rooms and workshops that got bricked up and left for decades. A guide takes you round, tells you what actually went on down there, and stops off at a torture exhibition where they explain what the exhibits were used for. It's dark, it's cold, and that's rather the point.
Ages matter here more than most places. Under-2s aren't allowed on any tour. The standard Vaults Tour opens up from 5, but the Vaults & Graveyard, the Terror Tour and the Haunted Vaults Tour all want kids to be 12 or over, so a seven-year-old is stuck with the plain Vaults Tour and nothing else on the list. Every child under 15 needs an adult with them regardless of which tour you book, and the site is upfront that the vaults can properly scare younger ones.
On price, book as a group of four and it's £20 a head across the board, but go it alone and you're looking at £24 to £26 depending on the tour, or £34 for the Halloween Midnight Special. That group rate stings less if you can rope in another family. Booking is essential and there's no turning up on the day hoping for a space, so sort it online first.
A few things to plan around rather than discover on the spot: there's no parking nearby, no toilets at the location or during the tour, and no lifts or ramps, so you're climbing a two-foot step and a winding staircase to get in. It's not a wet-Tuesday toddler filler. Think of it as the one you save for when the kids are old enough to enjoy being genuinely unsettled rather than just upset.
What’s on here
- WED7
The Vaults Tour
10:00 · from £24 · 120 more dates
- WED7
Haunted Vaults Tour
17:00 - 18:00 · from £24 · 120 more dates
- WED7
The Vaults & Graveyard Tour
17:30 - 19:00 · from £26 · 120 more dates
- WED7
The Terror Tour
21:00 - 22:15 · from £26 · 120 more dates
- FRI30
Halloween Midnight Special Tour
00:00 - 01:30 · from £34 · 1 more dates
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 to 11 on the Vaults Tour; other tours need 12 and up
- Booking
- Must book in advance online or at office
- Dogs
- Assistance animals such as guide dogs only, no other animals allowed
- Group booking of four brings the price down to £20 a head, worth chasing another family to fill the spot
- Alcohol and drugs are strictly banned on the tour and anyone under the influence gets turned away
- You need to arrive five minutes early at the meeting point outside 300 Lawnmarket
- Edinburgh Pass holders have to book by phone or email rather than online
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£20 a head if you book as a group of four. On your own it's £24 to £26 depending on the tour, and the Halloween Midnight Special is £34.
Do we need to book in advance?
Yes, pre-booking is essential and they'd rather you did it online. There's no booking on the door when the tour's about to leave.
What age can kids go on the tours?
Under-2s aren't allowed at all. The Vaults Tour takes kids from 5, but the Vaults & Graveyard, Terror Tour and Haunted Vaults Tour are 12 and up. Anyone under 15 needs an adult with them.
Will it be too scary for my child?
The vaults are dark underground and the site warns they can be scary for younger children. If you're not sure your child will cope, it's worth calling the office before booking.
Is there parking?
No dedicated parking, so you'll want to sort your own way of getting there.
Are there toilets?
None at the location and no toilet breaks scheduled during the tour, so go before you arrive.
Is it accessible for buggies or wheelchairs?
Not really. There are no lifts or ramps, and you need to climb a two-foot step followed by a winding staircase to get into the vaults.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance animals like guide dogs are allowed, no other pets on the tours.
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