Edinburgh Witchcraft and History Walking Tour

Step into Scotland's rich and mysterious past on this captivating walking tour through Edinburgh's Old Town. Led by an engaging character guide, this experience blends history and storytelling for an unforgettable adventure.
Uncover the stories of Scotland’s real-life witches, exploring their lives and the accusations they faced. This tour pays respectful homage to those wrongly accused of witchcraft, shedding light on the great injustices they suffered. You may even learn some facts about much-loved characters from Outlander and Harry Potter!

Adding to the intrigue, the final 15 minutes of the tour will involve an exclusive visit to “The Lost Close” — this recently discovered underground site has been cloaked in mystery since the Great Fire of 1824. The ancient vault, where you will enjoy the remaining tales of the tour, dates back to 1742, offering a window into the past, and providing a fitting end to an immersive exploration of history and enchantment.

Meeting Point

Caffè Nero

1 Parliament Square, 192 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK

Meet outside Caffé Nero, 1 Parliament Square.
Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in for your tour. We are unable to provide refunds for no-shows. The start of the tour cannot be delayed due to operational reasons. If you anticipate running late, please contact us as soon as possible.

What's included:

• Entrance to the Vaults at The Lost Close
• Entertaining Character Guide
• Guided Walking Tour

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 10 minutes and 1 hour, 15 minutes

St Giles' Cathedral

High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE

Who was St. Giles... find out and more as you learn a bit of Scot's history including Mary Queen of Scots, John Knox... and discover why it's perfectly acceptable to spit on the floor in Parliament Sq.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Royal Mile

High St., , Edinburgh, EH1 2PB

Look down the Royal Mile towards East Lothian and hear a tale of the North Berwick Witches.

5 minutes

Lady Stairs House

Lady Stairs House Lady Stair's Close Lawnmarket, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PA

In this hidden courtyard learn of some gruesome history and be inspired by Scotland's National Poet.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Castle Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG

Discover how Edinburgh came to be and hear some more fascinating tales related to Witches

10 minutes

Witches well

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND

Discover this often missed gem and learn of another unfortunate Witch.

5 minutes

Upper Bow

Upper Bow, Edinburgh EH1, UK

Get a birds eye view an iconic street and hear a shocking tale of a Warlock.

5 minutes

Victoria street

Victoria St, Edinburgh

Hear the tale of one of Edinburgh's most infamous characters and her remarkable life on these very cobbles.

10 minutes

The Lost Close - Events & Experiences

1 Barrie's Close, The Lost Close, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF

The tour will include an exclusive visit to the venue “The Lost Close” — Enjoy the final tales in a vaulted room. This recently discovered underground site has been cloaked in mystery since the Great Fire of 1824. These ancient vaults, dating back to 1742, offer a window into the past, providing a fitting end to an immersive exploration of history and enchantment.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included