Greyfriars Church

Greyfriars Church: Our most recommended tours and activities

• 

  1. Edinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour

  Spook yourself on a guided tour of the most haunted sites in Edinburgh and visit the graveyard of Greyfriars Kirkyard to learn the legend of Greyfriars Bobby. Look at the Gothic mausoleums and learn about notable burials as you explore the grim history of the cemetery. Continue to the nearby Edinburgh Vaults, located in the arches of South Bridge. Hear about regular paranormal occurrences and how some of the characters from history have never really left. Discover the former home of the destitute, witches and a hellfire club, and hear how the haunted vault is now possessed by something truly evil.

  Great tour, lots of information and humour and fairly enjoyed. Also a few spooks along the way. Fascinating city with a fascinating history

  Reviewed by Jamie, 27/09/2021
• 

  2. Comedy Horror Show: Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour

  Enjoy a theatrical sightseeing tour of Edinburgh onboard the Ghost Bus, a beautifully refurbished vintage double-decker, painted in traditional midnight black.

  Learn about Edinburgh’s grave robbers, plague victims, and the ghosts that reside in the most haunted city in Europe. Explore the city's gruesome past, while admiring its most famous monuments, including Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriar's Kirk, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. As you traverse the Old Town and New Town, visit the sites of murders, tortures, and executions. Hear about the infamous Burke and Hare, and the hundreds of women who were drowned or burned as witches. The bus, which belonged to the Necropolis Bus Company, boasts decorative features that include atmospheric lamps and window curtains. In 1967, the entire fleet was destroyed in a mysterious fire, and only one bus survived.

  It was fun!!! I think this was the best thing I have booked Everyone should have this experience. The guide Sam was brilliant.

  Reviewed by Tania, 29/09/2021
• 

  3. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

  Enjoy a Harry Potter themed walking tour across Edinburgh. See the city where JK Rowling found inspiration for Hogwarts, her famous characters, and discover the place where she wrote the books. Have your Harry Potter trivia tested with an audio-visual quiz, and earn points for your house. Find out which Hogwarts House you’re in, and whether you’re a pure blood, a muggle, or a squib. Visit the Grave of Tom Riddle in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and pass JK Rowling’s golden handprints outside City Chambers. See all this and more on a magical 2-hour guided tour. Best of all, choose from either a small-group or private guided experience.

  My daughters had a lovely time exploring Edinburgh city along with gaining knowledge about the Harry Potter tour . The guide Kieran was very interactive and made the trip worth looking forward to. Thank you.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 28/09/2021
• 

  4. Edinburgh: Extreme Paranormal Underground Ghost Tour

  Experience a ghost tour best suited for those who consider themselves to be very brave and venture into some of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations, above and below ground. This adults-only tour is not for the faint hearted, and ideal for hardened ghost hunters - or non-believers. You will journey down the old wynds (alleys) that lead to the world’s most haunted graveyard. Then, take a walk along the path of death! Below the pavement “ghosts” lurk. Journey through paranormal tales of ghost and hear both sides of the story. Uncover true and terrifying tales of hangings, torture, murders, witches and cannibals. 

  This tour was called ‘extreme paranormal’ ghost tour….the guide (hangman) was brilliant but the tour itself was not very scary at all… especially as we had booked it in the evening to make it feel scarier!

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 28/08/2021
• 

  5. Edinburgh: Evening Underground Ghost Tour

  Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by one of the city's most infamous sons as they lead you around the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets. Then, visit what is regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world at "Greyfriars Kirkyard." Finally, go deep underground and explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the streets. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers were used to house taverns and as storage space for illicit material, including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments. Journey through over 400 years of history and hear terrifying true tales of hangings, torture, murders and witchcraft. Shiver at the weird noises and unexplained smells that make an appearance after dark! 

  Nell was fun and knowledgeable. The tour itself was the right length in duration and distance. Nell made it fun and scary. My husband and I recommend booking the tour with Nell as a guide

  Reviewed by Mark, United Kingdom, 27/09/2021
• 

  6. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

  Experience a little magic on a 2-hour walking tour of Edinburgh that is perfect for all fans of Harry Potter. Learn all the stories and secrets behind the best selling books by J.K. Rowling in the city where she wrote them. Visit the original sites that provided the inspiration for Hogwarts and the characters who dwelled within its magical walls. Stroll along the High Street to see where Diagon Alley came to life and where Lord Voldemort is buried. See the original Hogwarts School, and look at a virtual school assembly of its characters! Learn how Edinburgh’s own dark history of witches and wizards played a role in inspiring J.K. Rowling along the way. 

  A wonderful tour by the lovely (and very knowledgeable Jenn). I booked this tour as a surprise for my daughters 9th birthday and she absolutely loved it! Would recommend - 10 out of 10!

  Reviewed by Geraldine, 28/09/2021
• 

  7. Edinburgh: Fright Night Underground Ghost Tour

  Discover the dark and chilling history of Edinburgh with an experienced and energetic guide. As you wind through the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile you will be entertained by this passionate and engaging storyteller who, dressed in full period costume, will regale you with dark tales concerning the vaults and fill you in on some of the ghostly sightings and events that visitors often experience.  Then, visit what is regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world at “Greyfriars Kirkyard.” Finally, go deep underground and explore the Edinburgh Vaults beneath the streets. Completed in 1788, the series of chambers were used to house taverns and as storage space for illicit material, including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for their medical experiments. Journey through over 400 years of history and hear terrifying true tales of hangings, tortur...

  Excellent tour Very informative and done with humour. Your tour guide John was very entertaining and definitely deserves 5 stars .

  Reviewed by Karen, 26/09/2021
• 

  8. Edinburgh: Haunted City Exploration Game & Self-Guided Tour

  Be led on an exciting self-guided tour around Edinburgh while playing a mobile-based quest with your friends and family. See many of Edinburgh’s most famous attractions and go on a journey through some of the city’s most haunted places. Download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure. Follow clues and visit ghostly locations including Greyfriars Kirkyard, the site of the Nor’ Loch and West Bow, and sites where public executions were held. Unlock secrets about the places you visit as you solve puzzles and guess the answers. Learn about the Scottish Witch Hunts and the Burke and Hare murders and view the hall containing a book made of William Burke’s flesh. Use the clues to lead you from one site to another. Each clue provides you with exact directions so you won't need a map, GPS, or guide. Complete the tour in about 1.5 hours, however, there’s no time limit, allowi...

  The whole family enjoyed the quiz. We have been to Edinburgh before but this fantastic game showed us areas and details of the City's rich history we had completely missed before! Also walked us past some areas we just had to stop at such as the Surgeons Hall which again was another interesting part of our visit. Highly recommend getting this quiz to explore the city while testing your detective skills at the same time. Thank you.

  Reviewed by Steven, United Kingdom, 11/08/2021
• 

  9. Edinburgh: Scotland's Dark Secrets Walking Tour

  Marvel at the mysteries lurking behind Edinburgh on a walking tour focusing on the city's darker side. Visit Edinburgh Castle, Grey Friars Kirkyard, and the Old Tollbooth Prison.

  Let your guide thrill you with macabre, twisted tales from days gone by. Learn about witches and ghosts from the city's past and find out which ones are still lurking around today. Soak up every creaky nook and cranny while you search for signs of ghosts and ghouls on this unforgettable walking tour of Edinburgh.

• 

  10. Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirkyard Walking Tour

  Explore Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of the most atmospheric, haunted, densely populated, and interesting burial grounds in Scotland. With your expert guide learn more about the lives of its famous and often infamous expired occupants, from the endearing and humorous to the horrifying and disturbing. Find out what inspirations J.K Rowling took from this 16th-century graveyard for her Harry Potter novels and discover the often cryptic and enigmatic meanings behind beautifully carved tombstone engravings and sculptures. Hear of the measures which were taken in an attempt to prevent grave-robbing and the consequences of this plundering. Uncover the dark stories related to the graveyard and hear more about a malevolent poltergeist who is said to still haunt Greyfriars to this day.