
The Dark Side of Edinburgh
Wed 14 Oct · 20:00
Edinburgh Old Town
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16°C · 23% rain
Blustery — expect a wind-swept afternoon.
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View allAbout This Event
A guided history tour exploring gruesome crimes, punishments, and dark characters from Edinburgh's past will take place in the Old Town on 14 October 2026. Participants will be led by Madam McKinnon or William Burke through haunted graveyards and hidden closes.
If you want a mundane, humdrum history walk, this is not the tour for you. But... if you want to learn what the tourist industry leaves out?
If you want a mundane, humdrum history walk, this is not the tour for you. But... if you want to learn what the tourist industry leaves out? The hidden, gruesome crimes and punishments? The long forgotten twisted, sadistic characters? The thousands of lives painfully lost in the cruel grip of Edinburgh's past? Maybe you are brave enough to learn the truth.
Hear of witches, cannibals, murders, thieves, body snatchers, blood thirsty mobs and the devil in disguise. We will explore haunted graveyards, hide up darkened closes, spit on the Heart of Midlothian and bravely face where Edinburgh believed the world ended. You even get a chance to knock on Bloody Mackenzie's door, if you dare!
Madam McKinnon or William Burke will guide you through our streets under cover of darkness. They've been dead for almost 200 years and do not take kindly to modern nonsense. They will however, crack your sides with laughter over their dry Scottish wit. And their tales will chill you to your core.
Our tours are historically accurate, with a history this dark there's no need to fabricate!
Our stops
The Grassmarket: where you will discover the castles curse and the nasty secrets etched into the cobble stone square.
Greyfriars Kirkyard: one of the most haunted graveyards in the world. It's not just about a loyal dog. As the twilight hits the ghouls come out to play!
The Royal Mile: with such attractions as St Giles Cathedral, the Tron Kirk and the Old Tolbooth Prison. Not just a tourist hot-spot but a street that once ran dark with blood.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Edinburgh Old Town.
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View all →Frequently asked questions
The Dark Side of Edinburgh takes place on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 20:00.
The Dark Side of Edinburgh is held at Edinburgh Old Town in Edinburgh (Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh).
Tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh are priced at £18. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
The forecast for The Dark Side of Edinburgh is Overcast · 16°C. Blustery — expect a wind-swept afternoon.
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Edinburgh Old Town can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
Tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Editorial summaryAbout this event
A guided history tour exploring gruesome crimes, punishments, and dark characters from Edinburgh's past will take place in the Old Town on 14 October 2026. Participants will be led by Madam McKinnon or William Burke through haunted graveyards and hidden closes.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
If you want a mundane, humdrum history walk, this is not the tour for you. But... if you want to learn what the tourist industry leaves out?
If you want a mundane, humdrum history walk, this is not the tour for you. But... if you want to learn what the tourist industry leaves out? The hidden, gruesome crimes and punishments? The long forgotten twisted, sadistic characters? The thousands of lives painfully lost in the cruel grip of Edinburgh's past? Maybe you are brave enough to learn the truth.
Hear of witches, cannibals, murders, thieves, body snatchers, blood thirsty mobs and the devil in disguise. We will explore haunted graveyards, hide up darkened closes, spit on the Heart of Midlothian and bravely face where Edinburgh believed the world ended. You even get a chance to knock on Bloody Mackenzie's door, if you dare!
Madam McKinnon or William Burke will guide you through our streets under cover of darkness. They've been dead for almost 200 years and do not take kindly to modern nonsense. They will however, crack your sides with laughter over their dry Scottish wit. And their tales will chill you to your core.
Our tours are historically accurate, with a history this dark there's no need to fabricate!
Our stops
The Grassmarket: where you will discover the castles curse and the nasty secrets etched into the cobble stone square.
Greyfriars Kirkyard: one of the most haunted graveyards in the world. It's not just about a loyal dog. As the twilight hits the ghouls come out to play!
The Royal Mile: with such attractions as St Giles Cathedral, the Tron Kirk and the Old Tolbooth Prison. Not just a tourist hot-spot but a street that once ran dark with blood.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
StayStaying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of Edinburgh Old Town. Searching near Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh; check-in Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
WhereEdinburgh Old Town
Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
Before you goFrequently asked questions
When is The Dark Side of Edinburgh?
The Dark Side of Edinburgh takes place on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 20:00.
Where is The Dark Side of Edinburgh taking place?
The Dark Side of Edinburgh is held at Edinburgh Old Town in Edinburgh (Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh).
How much are tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh?
Tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh are priced at £18. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
What will the weather be like at The Dark Side of Edinburgh?
The forecast for The Dark Side of Edinburgh is Overcast · 16°C. Blustery — expect a wind-swept afternoon.
Is there anywhere to stay near The Dark Side of Edinburgh?
Yes — hotels within walking distance of Edinburgh Old Town can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.
How do I get tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh?
Tickets for The Dark Side of Edinburgh can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Price
£18
Date
Time
Weather
feels like 12°C · chance of rain 23% · wind 29 km/h
Venue
Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
Secure checkout on Eventbrite — opens in a new tab
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![The Cult of Astaroth [Dark magic show] at The Banshee Labyrinth](/img/1920/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWcuZXZidWMuY29tL2h0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY2RuLmV2YnVjLmNvbSUyRmltYWdlcyUyRjExNzgxMDczODklMkYxNjM2NDgxODIxNTUzJTJGMSUyRm9yaWdpbmFsLjIwMjYwMjIxLTE5MTkxMj93PTEwMjQmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQlMkNjb21wcmVzcyZxPTc1JnNoYXJwPTEwJnM9MWIwOTFkYTI5MTE4OWFiZGZlZGVkMTU3YzQ3M2EyZjk.webp)

