Our Public Tours
Join one of our afternoon or evening walking tours for a revealing delve into some of the Old Town's surprising secrets.
All tours are outdoors and we proceed whatever the weather, so always check local forecasts and wrap up accordingly before coming along!
The Ghosts & Gore Tour
A gentle stroll through the Old Town, with guide Alexander Clapperton (deceased) joined by a number of quirky local phantoms who'll tell you hair-raising tales of plague, punishment and persecution.
- Available: Wednesday - Sunday.
- Start time: 7pm.
- Duration: 90 minutes approx.
- Meeting point: Outside the Witchery restaurant (usually; see below for more info).
- Best choice for: A shorter walk but longer stories, getting into extra depth, and the ghosts playing a bigger role in the performance.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible route available on request - contact us for more information. Route may be unsuitable for those with impaired mobility.
The Greyfriars Cemetery Tour
A walking tour visiting graves of some lesser-known characters including the lecturer who taught Charles Darwin, an actor buried in full theatrical costume, and a First World War ace pilot. We might, in passing, also point out the graves with links to a certain boy wizard.
- Available: Wednesday - Sunday.
- Start time: 2pm.
- Duration: 90 minutes approx.
- Meeting point: Outside the Cadies & Witchery Tours shop (see below).
- Best choice for: Adults and older children wanting a focus on the history, and less hi-jinks. (Probably still the occasional bad joke.)
- Note: This tour is with main guide only. If you are looking for a tour with a main guide and 'jumper ooter', we recommend the Witchery Ghosts & Gore Tour.
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchair users or those with impaired mobility.
Private Tours
If you are unable to make one of our public tour slots, or are looking for a more bespoke arrangement in any way, we also offer the Ghosts & Gore Tour and Greyfriars Cemetery Tour for private booking, at a time to suit your party.
Prices start from £150.00 for a Greyfriars Cemetery Tour and £300.00 for a Ghosts & Gore Tour. Please contact us if you would like to rent a ghost.
Where to meet your tour
Our tours may depart from one of the two meeting-points below. There is a standard meeting-point for each tour, but it may change on occasion due to access restrictions or other special circumstances. Always check your booking confirmation details to confirm the correct meeting-point for your tour.
The Witchery restaurant
Our Ghosts & Gore Tour usually meets outside The Witchery By The Castle restaurant at 352 Castlehill (the top of The Royal Mile).
The Cadies & Witchery Tours shop
Our Greyfriars Cemetery Tour normally departs from outside our wee shop at 84 West Bow (Victoria Street). It's just a couple of minutes' walk from The Witchery.
Our other tours may also depart from the shop at times, like when we're unable to meet outside The Witchery due to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Monday-Saturday for about 3 weeks in August) or concerts held on the Castlehill in June/July.
Please check your booking confirmation for the correct location for your tour. if in doubt, contact us.
How to get here (and back)
Both meeting-points are within easy walking-distance of numerous public transport options. If coming by train, Waverley station is 10-15 minutes' walk away. A similar distance away is Princes Street, with buses to all parts of the city, and trams to the West End and airport.
If coming by car, please note that on-street parking is limited in the Old Town, and in addition there may be parking restrictions or even road closures in some streets during the Edinburgh Festival and at various other times. There is an NCP car park on Castle Terrace, about 10 minutes' walk from both meeting-points.
Further information
You can join our ghosts any night of the year (except 24-26 December). Just select the number of adults and children in your party, and the date you wish to join us. Choose a tour from the list that appears below, enter your on-the-day contact number, and click "Book Now" to be taken straight to the checkout.
Please note: All bookings are reviewed by a human before being confirmed. Once this is done (please be patient if we're asleep!), we will email you with a ticket number, which is your proof of purchase on the night, and full instructions on how to join your tour.
If you have a Tesco Clubcard voucher code, you can redeem it on the next page of the booking process.
To book through any other discount scheme or promotion we may be involved in, please contact us directly to arrange your booking, mentioning the name of the promotion and the date and time you would like to attend.
Got a question? You may find it's been answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page.