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Edinburgh - Dark History
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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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From $17.49
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Edinburgh - Dark History
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation
- 24 hours prior100% refund
- Within 24 hoursNo refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Learn more about cancellations
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2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
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Overview
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From $17.49
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What's Included
In-Person guide
Departure & Return
West Parliament Square , W Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1, UK
Canongate Kirk , 153 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, UKFind us across the square in Front of St. Giles Cathedral. Search for the white umbrella with the logo of All-Star Guides.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- OPERATED BY All-Star Guides
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Learn more about cancellations.
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Reviews
5.0
204 Reviews
5 stars
197
4 stars
6
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1
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Reviews by Viator travelers
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Showing 1-10 of 204 reviews
Terrific tour with Lyall!
Dafna_A
, Jun 2022
Very interesting
Rachel_A
, Jun 2022
Very informative tour guide who knew other sides of history that we wanted to know. Clearly knew a lot about the city despite it not being his original home town. Clearly has a love for the history of the city.
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, Rachel, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Yes, I'm that kind of person: I actually go and shove my face in musty old tomes for fun; not really sure what that makes me. And, indeed, not being originally from here, the least that I can do is to treat the culture and heritage with respect.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Interesting
Hina_M
, Jun 2022
Very interesting and informative. The guide was very polite. But I think two hours is a bit too long for someone with kids.
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, Hina, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
And thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. We're the first ones to admit that this tour is an absolute beast: two hours long, jam packed with information, at a very competitive rate and delivered in a "family friendly" way. However, we do understand that every young person will be different, and not all of them will have the attention span to last two hours, but far from us to generalise, and we leave it to the parents to know their children better than we ever could and make the call to bring them on the tour. It is also one of the reasons why we charge no admission fee to people under 17.
And delighted to hear that Lyall did a good job, I'll make sure to pass the feedback along! If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
The tour was great and...
Michele_M
, Jun 2022
The tour was great and Lyall was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. Highly recommend.
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, Michele, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Lyall! I'll make sure to pass your feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Excellent Tour
Seonaid_S
, May 2022
Lyall was an excellent host and told us lots of interesting stories and took us to interesting places.
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, Seonaid, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Lyall! I'll make sure to pass your feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
The Dark side brought to life!
James_P
, May 2022
Fantastic!
Edgar's knowledge was simply outstanding! We learnt so much about Edinburgh's dark past - separating the fact from the fiction - and his enthusiasm was infectious - we had a brilliant couple of hours!
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, James, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Indeed, the History of this city is already so wonderfully gruesome that we see no need to make stuff up. Really happy to hear you had fun.
Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Amazing Dark History Tour in the Royal Mike Area
John_S
, May 2022
Our guide Edgar was amazing! So much information and sooooo interesting! We learned a ton of the dark history of the area around yhe Royal Mile. Edgar even did a side trip to see Jamie's printshop from Outlander for my wife. We highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, John, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear that you had a good time! And it was my absolute pleasure! I must confess that I am anything but an expert on Outlander, but just the building itself is already worth a visit. :)
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Fun and interesting
Mariola_B
, May 2022
Edgar was impressively knowledgeable and funny! I would recommend this tour to anyone curious about the most interesting facts about Edinburgh
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, Mariola, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Ah, you guys were a delight to hang out with! And yes, there is a lot to the History of this city. Make sure to find us on social media for more stories.
Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Amazing tour!! We were...
David_B
, May 2022
Amazing tour!! We were told so much about the history. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to know about the dark history of Edinburgh! Plus, the tour guide was super friendly and funny also!
Response from Host , Jun 2022
Thank you, David, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with us! If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Delightful Dark History
Liz_T
, May 2022
Our guide, Sarah, was excellent and really brought the tour to life by highlighting the dark underbelly of Edinburgh’s history.
Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you, Liz, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Sarah! I'll make sure to pass your feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Nice tour.Great people!
JOSEPH_T
, May 2022
First of all let me say I was the only person on tour. I appreciate very much that they did not cancel on me. The owner told me they don't cancel on any one ever. The guide was a great guy. I learned about witch trials , grave robbers and murders. He also answered many other general Edinburgh questions. Very nice people very nice tour..you basically walk the royal mile it's not to strenuous.
Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you, Joseph, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Yes, we always make sure that the tour runs, unless there is some catastrophe (last time I cancelled on someone I had tested positive for COVID and had no guides available). Although we are aware that it is common practice, we find it both disrespectful and a waste of people's time to cancel a tour due to low numbers. As such, we try to lead by example.
And really delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Lyall! I'll make sure to pass your feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Lyall was a great tour...
Andrew_K
, May 2022
Lyall was a great tour guide. He is a great storyteller and is passionate about Edinburgh. He also tailored the information a bit to our interests. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone else.
Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you, Andrew, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Lyall! I'll make sure to pass your feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Fantastic tour
Malgorzata_K
, May 2022
Great tour! Lyall was very knowledgeable and showed us the darker side of Edinburgh :) the trip took over two hours and he answers many of our questions
Response from Host , May 2022
Thank you, Malgorzata, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Lyall! I'll make sure to pass the feedback along.
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Best dark history tour
Ashleigh_M
, Apr 2022
This tour was fantastic! Not only was Edgar very knowledgable but incredibly passionate and great company! Would highly recommend for anyone visiting Edinburgh who’s interested in the darker history of the city.
We have done many tours and this was by far the most historically accurate and interesting.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Ashleigh (and Alessio), for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
And it was my pleasure! I mean, how many times do I get to meet a prostethics artist and a medievalist? Stay awesome!
If there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Great Tour
Rod_G
, Apr 2022
brilliant Tour Edgar gave us great Tour really interesting. all of my family loved it. I highly recommend this Tour.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Rod, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
I had a wonderful time myself with you and your family! Thank you again for being awesome, thank Jill for being my "volunteer", send my best to your boys, and do write if they still want a list of jokes!
Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Educational and inspirational
Joseph_M
, Mar 2022
We had the most amazing dark history tour with Edgar! Truly educational and inspirational throughout. We have learnt a lot about the dark history of Edinburgh and Edgar made it so interesting the whole way through even though he wasn’t feeling 100%! Highly recommend 👏
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Joseph, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
And really happy, but also relieved, to hear you enjoyed the tour. After we parted ways I went home and fell in bed, where I stayed for 5 days. Turned out to be gastroenteritis. Luckily I was loaded on energy drinks when we met! ;)
Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Excellent trip with an...
Jessica_A
, Mar 2022
Excellent trip with an enthusiastic and very knowledgeable tour guide! Very much enjoyed the experience and would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about the dark history of Edinburgh.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Jessica, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
Really happy to hear you had a good time! And, again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Great tour
Karin_M
, Mar 2022
Loved learning the history of Edinburgh and the hidden gems of its darkest times right under your feet.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Karin, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
And really happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us! Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Awesome experience, don’t miss out!
Ron_P
, Mar 2022
Our sons had a wonderful time. Edgar was riveting and great story teller. My son Ryan said he really enjoyed it. Edgar was interactive and got everyone into the experience. My son Reid gave him and 11/10, and he is really very hard to please.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Ron, for booking with us, and for taking the time to write a review!
And happy to hear that you and your family had fun with us! I'm sure you remember that I tell people what I think of them, and your kids were awesome. Send them my regards.
Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
Energetic and entertaining tour
Kaveh_M
, Mar 2022
Edgar brings a great energy and humor to the stories of old Edinburgh highlighting the dark aspects with historical accuracy.
Response from Host , Apr 2022
Thank you, Kaveh, for booking with us, for taking the time to write a review, and for being my "volunteer" on the tour!
Delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with us! Again, if there is anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact. And make sure to find us on social media for more stories!
All the best, and until our paths cross again;
Edgar
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