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From Sedona to Las Vegas: Where to Find Pink Jeep Tours Discount Offers

Are you planning a trip from Sedona to Las Vegas and looking for an exciting adventure along the way? Look no further than Pink Jeep Tours, a renowned tour company that offers thrilling off-road experiences in their iconic pink jeeps. And the best part? You can find amazing discount offers on their tours, making your journey even more enjoyable. In this article, we will guide you through the different ways to find Pink Jeep Tours discount offers, ensuring that you save money while exploring the breathtaking landscapes between Sedona and Las Vegas.

Check Pink Jeep Tours’ Official Website

The first place to start when searching for discount offers is Pink Jeep Tours’ official website. They often have special promotions and deals available exclusively online. Visit their website and navigate to the “Special Offers” or “Deals” section, where you can explore various discounted tour options. Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions or limited-time discounts that may be available during your travel dates.

Sign up for Their Newsletter

Another great way to stay updated on Pink Jeep Tours’ discount offers is by signing up for their newsletter. By subscribing, you will receive regular emails with information about upcoming promotions and exclusive deals. This way, you won’t miss out on any special discounts or limited-time offers they may have available.

Follow Them on Social Media

In today’s digital age, social media platforms play a significant role in marketing and communication. By following Pink Jeep Tours on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, you can stay connected with the company’s latest news and updates regarding discount offers. They often announce exclusive deals or flash sales through their social media channels.

Look for Third-Party Websites

If you’ve exhausted your options on Pink Jeep Tours’ official channels but still haven’t found a suitable discount offer, consider checking third-party websites that specialize in travel deals and promotions. Websites like Groupon, Travelzoo, or TripAdvisor often feature discounted tour packages, including Pink Jeep Tours. By browsing through these platforms, you might stumble upon a fantastic deal that fits your budget.

In conclusion, finding Pink Jeep Tours discount offers while traveling from Sedona to Las Vegas is easier than you think. Start by checking their official website and exploring the special offers section. Don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter and follow them on social media to stay updated on the latest promotions. If all else fails, third-party travel websites can be an excellent resource for finding discounted tour packages. So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Pink Jeep Tours at a price that won’t break the bank.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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The Ghost Bus Tours

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T’s And C’s

Private hire, work with us, connect with us, award-winning comedy actors.

All of our tours are hosted by trained actors. We have been the recipients of a number of prestigious tourism awards including the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. We also host a venue at Edinburgh Fringe Festival annually, an internationally renowned hotbed for comedy acts.

Scott Monument

This Victorian-Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott stands in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens. At 200 feet, six inches tall, it is the second largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer. The monument is adorned with countless figurative statues, including Scott and his dog.

Calton Hill

The site of the headquarters of the Scottish government, Calton Hill is also home to many other famous landmarks such as Holyrood Palace, the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs’ Monument and the City Observatory.

Grassmarket

Directly under Edinburgh Castle is the historic market place of Grassmarket. As well as traditionally being the site for many hotels, hostels and taverns, it was also one of the major sites for public executions. 

The Royal Mile

A succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh’s Old Town comprise The Royal Mile. From the castle gates at one end to the palace gates at the other, it is almost exactly a mile long. It is made up of Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate, and Abbey Strand.

Parliament Building

Established in 2004, the Scottish Parliament Building is the heart of Scottish politics. 

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh. It has an array of hills, lochs, glens, ridges and basalt cliffs. Arthur’s Seat at the center of Holyrood Park is the highest point in Edinburgh.

St. Giles Cathedral

The principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Built in the 12th century, it was named after St. Giles, the patron saint of Edinburgh. 

Greyfriar’s Church

One of Edinburgh’s oldest surviving buildings, Greyfriar’s Church was established by the Franciscan order of Greyfriars in 1620. The churchyard was at one time used as a prison and is also the site where Greyfriars Bobby guarded his owners grave until death.

Greyfriar’s Bobby

At the corner where Edinburgh’s Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge meet, a statue of Bobby the Skye Terrier sits. Bobby was renowned for having guarded his owners grave for over 14 years, until Bobby died himself. Loyal beyond the grave.

Edinburgh Castle

Dominating Edinburgh’s skyline from it’s perch upon the Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is the iconic sight of Edinburgh. In it’s history of over a thousand years, it has been sieged an astonishing twenty-six times, leading to it being dubbed “one of the most attacked placed in the world”.

St. Cuthbert’s Grave

The site surrounding St. Cuthbert’s Church has been a place of Christian burial for over a thousand years, although today, the oldest surviving headstone is that of Reverend Robert Pont, who died in 1606. It has seen it’s fair share of grave robbery too over the years!

Knavesmire Gallows

One of The Strays of York, Knavesmire is a marshy area in York. It was the usual site for public hangings for a long time, the gallows were originally erected back in 1379. Today it is a recreational area and the host of many of York’s public events.

Terry’s Chocolate Factory

Also known as The Chocolate Works, Terry’s Chocolate Factory was opened in 1926 to produce Terry’s chocolate. It was closed in 2005 when Kraft Foods acquired Terry’s and outsourced production to mainland Europe.

Dick Turpin’s Grave

This notorious highwayman, horse thief, poacher, burglar and killer was executed in Knavesmire, York in 1739 for his many deeds. Turpin ascended to the status of ‘hero’ and ‘legend’, romanticised by subsequent dramatic interpretations of his life. He now lies under York.

Clifford’s Tower

The ruins of York Castle, known as Clifford’s Tower overlook York. Built on the orders of William I, the tower served as a fort until a major explosion in 1684 rendered it uninhabitable. It was then used as a prison until 1929.

Golden Fleece Pub

They claim to be the most haunted public house in York! The Golden Fleece is an inn and public house that dates back to the sixteenth century, facing on to The Shambles.

The Shambles

Originally home to over twenty five butcher’s shops, The (Great Flesh) Shambles name originates from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Fleshammels’ which means ‘meat shelves’, referring to not only the butcher’s hooks, but also the shelf-like structure of the buildings themselves. Some of The Shambles buildings date back to as far as the fourteenth century. 

Black Swan Pub

This fifteenth century public house and inn is a hotbed of ghostly history. A haunt truly unlike another!

York Minister

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter, better known as York Minster, is one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe. The Minister is the seat of the Archbishop of York and the second highest office of the Church of England.

St Crux Parish Church

Erected in 1888, on the remains of a medieval church of St. Crux, which was shut down and eventually demolished after becoming unsafe, it’s tower leaning dangerously. The remaining parish is now home to the exuberant ornaments retained from the original church.

This four-storey gatehouse sits at the limits of the walls surrounding York city. It was originally a fort capable of being defended on every floor.

St.Mary’s Abbey

These ruins in the York Museum Gardens were once the richest abbey in the north of England. The original church was founded in 1055 and dedicated to St Olaf II of Norway. All that remains today are the north and west walls, the pilgrim’s Hospitium, the west gate, and the King’s Manor.

Holyrood Palace

Opposing Edinburgh Castle at the other end of the Royal Mile. It has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century. A witches ghost is said to haunt the palace.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a famed suspension bridge linking Tower Hamlets and Southwark across the River Thames. Originally built between 1886 and 1894, the bridge is an iconic symbol of London itself.

The most popular paid tourist attraction in the entire United Kingdom. Erected in 2000, it was originally known as the Millennium Wheel or the Millennium Eye. At the time it was the largest ferris wheel in the world, it is now only the largest ferris wheel in Europe.

The tallest building in the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was completed in July of 2012 and is the residence of many restaurants, bars and even a hotel.

Tower of London

“What hasn’t taken place here?” might be a better question. The Tower of London has variably served as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. It was originally built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, following the Norman conquest of England. It was originally resented and held as a symbol of oppression.

St. Paul Catherdral

Situated at the highest point in London, Ludgate Hill, St’ Paul’s Cathedral is the second largest church in the UK and one of London’s most recognisable sights. It was originally constructed in 1697 by Sir Christopher Wren as part of the rebuilding project following the Great Fire of London. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle.

Downing Street

Built by Sir George Downing in 1680, Downing Street is the heart of British politics. The Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer both reside on the street. The street is understandably inaccessible to the public, but can be viewed from Whitehall.

Buckingham Palace

Our royal family’s primary residence. Originally erected as a large townhouse for the use of the Duke of Buckingham, the townhouse was acquired in 1761 by King George III and quickly transformed into a palace fit for a king.

Westminster Abbey

A titan feat of Gothic architecture, built in 960, with many additions over the years. Since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, all coronations of British monarchs have taken place right here.

Trafalger Square

The home of political demonstrations, contemporary art and of course Nelson’s Column. Trafalgar Square was named as such to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar. The site was once known as Charing Cross and was the original site of the King’s Mews.

Classic Routemaster Bus

Our large fleet of vehicles is comprised entirely of 1960’s Routemaster double-deckers. These gorgeous vintage buses are a wonderful reminder of London’s rich transport history. Lovingly restored in our signature ‘midnight-black’ livery, finished with antique lampshades and plush red velvet curtains.

High Class Customer Care

We are proud of our consistently outstanding reputation for customer service. Whether you are booking online, booking over the phone or booking on the street from one of our sales representatives, you will truly be in good hands prior to boarding with us. Our trained actors are then primed to entertain you for the duration. Try one of our Private Hires for a real touch of the exclusive VIP experience.

Free Ghost Tour

Discover the dark side of Old Edinburgh

Secure your space now.

The original Edinburgh Free Ghost Tour

• Every night
• 154 High Street (Royal Mile)

No card info required

Free Ghost Tour of Edinburgh

Edinburgh's dark side included body snatching, public executions, gruesome jails and tortures. Come to the FREE Ghost Tour and hear ghostly tales and sinister stories that will transport you back to the terrifying past of old Edinburgh as we walk spooky shadows and haunted alleyways.

Ghost, Murder and Tortures' Tour!

"Funny, Engaging, Educational, Interactive, Welcoming HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Roisin had so much energy and did the job above what might have been expected."

TripAdvisor (Apr. 21)

Spooky and faszinating!

"You don't believe in ghosts? Nevertheless, you won't dare to deny their existence after this tour! Interesting, horrible, and faszinating stories all over Edinburgh's Old Town!"

TripAdvisor (Dec. 20)

Superb Ghost Tour

"An engaging story-teller with plenty of tales of the macabre from this wonderful city. You will learn about the history of the city as well as its darker side. The tour concluded in the cemetery at Greyfriars Kirkyard. An atmospheric and chilling way to end the evening."

TripAdvisor (Oct. 20)

"What a brilliant night it was, my wife jumped out of her skin when something creepy touched on the arm in Greyfriars cemetery near the covenanters prison. Full recommend this tour."

Norfolkmick

TripAdvisor (Sep. 20)

Tour Description

Edinburgh is known as one of the most haunted cities in Europe, with a past of murders, witchcraft and plague. Its wynds and closes have witnessed the two sides of the city: beauty and horror .

Edinburgh's dark side also included body snatching, public executions, gruesome jails and tortures .

Come to the FREE 1.5 hour Ghost Tour and hear ghostly tales and sinister stories that will transport you back to the terrifying past of old Edinburgh as we walk spooky shadows and haunted alleyways.

To ensure the highest quality of our Free Tours, groups of more than 14 people should book a Private Tour .

If you are arranging a booking for a School Group , please book a Private Tour .

This will allow us to give you a more personalized experience. Thanks for your understanding!

Secure your space now for the Free Ghost Tour!

Showing up is fine in most cases. However, you will have priority with a booking if tours reach their capacity.

Meeting Point

The FREE Ghost Tour starts on The Royal Mile just in front of a bar called Copper Still (154 High Street).

Look for the yellow umbrellas!

Related tours in edinburgh.

Edinburgh Free Tour

Every day @ 10am, 11am & 1 pm

Duration: 2 hours

Get to see the most interesting and intriguing spots of the old city of Edinburgh guided by an engaging local.

Free Harry Potter Tour

Every day @ 2pm

Duration: 1.5 hours

Explore the real people and places that inspired JK Rowling to create the Universe of Harry Potter.

Free New Town Tour

Saturday @ 2pm

Discover the finest part of town and the role Edinburgh played as a center of the Enlightment in Europe.

Edinburgh Castle Tour

Tue, Thu & Sat @ 12.30pm

Get the best value of your visit to Edinburgh Castle and jump the queue with our skip-the-line tickets.

Fri & Sat @ 8pm

Duration: 4.5 hours

Meet amazing people from all over the world and enjoy Edinburgh nightlife at its best 7 nights a week.

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Things to do

The ultimate guide to things to do in Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh's best restaurants, bars and pubs.

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Give the gift of stories they'll never forget

We offer gift vouchers for all our history walks and ghost tours , making them the perfect present for someone who wants to get to know Edinburgh even better.

Starting from just £10 our gift vouchers can be used to buy a ticket on any of our award-winning tours, where our expert storytellers will bring the city to life.

Gift vouchers are the ideal gift for someone who loves a gifted experience, and make a wonderful Christmas, birthday or anniversary present.

What can you spend the vouchers on?

History tours :  Treat the history buff in your life to a tour of Edinburgh with one of our knowledgeable guides. They'll explore the rich history of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile and beyond, with the option to delve into some of the city's best kept secrets.

Ghost tours :  Everyone knows someone who loves all things spooky. Use the voucher to book a ghost tour and let them experience the eerie atmosphere of the Blair Street Underground Vaults. With tales of trouble and torture, our storytelling guide is sure to keep them entertained with a dark glimpse into Edinburgh's gloomy past.

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Gift Vouchers are valid for 18 months from the date of purchase

We cannot return or exchange Gift Vouchers for cash

Gift Vouchers can only be used to purchase tickets for tours listed on our website

If you don’t want us to email the gift voucher directly to your recipient, simply email it to yourself and gift as you wish. All your recipient needs is the unique code supplied on the email.

If the code is lost it can be resent to the original email address

• Tours must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. Tickets cannot be resold and the voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. If the tour(s) purchased cost less than the value of the voucher, the balance remains on the voucher for future use.

Mercat Tours reserves the right to refuse entry and to close or alter any tour. Sensible walking shoes are recommended!

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Everything about tourist attractions

Edinburgh Vaults – ghost tours, tickets, prices, discounts, graveyard visits

Edited by: Rekha Rajan Fact checked by: Jamshed V Rajan

Edinburgh Vaults are the most extensive underground caverns in the city and offer the most popular ghost tours.

Known by many names such as South Bridge Vaults, Blair Street Vaults, Edinburgh Underground Vaults, etc., this city under city offers a fascinating peep into the poor man’s life in 18th century Edinburgh.

Many believe Edinburgh Vaults to be a hotbed of paranormal activity.

In this article, we share everything you must know before booking your tour of the Edinburgh Vaults.

Top Edinburgh Vaults Tickets

# Ghostly Underground Tour # Edinburgh Vaults + Canongate Graveyard # Underground Vaults Ghost Tour with Whisky

Table of contents

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Edinburgh Vaults are open all through the week. 

Only Mercat Tours has exclusive rights to allow visitors inside Edinburgh Vaults for exploration, and their first tour starts at 10 am, and the last tour of the day starts rolling at 9.30 pm. 

When are Edinburgh Vaults closed

Edinburgh Vaults are open all through the year, except for three days during Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve (24 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day (26 Dec), the staff and tour guides at Mercat Tours take a break. 

On New Year’s Eve, the Blair Street Underground Vaults tours finish early – by 5 pm. 

Mercat tours office timings

Mercat Tours office is open from 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 6 pm on weekends. 

But if you book your Edinburgh Vaults tickets online, you don’t need to visit their office. 

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Edinburgh Vaults tours

Edinburgh Underground Vaults tours do not have any manufactured frights or jump scares. 

Instead, during these tours, visitors are taken to the perfect ‘atmosphere’ (vaults and graveyards) where the costumed guide narrates historical facts with the refined art of storytelling. 

For health and safety reasons, children under five years aren’t allowed in any Edinburgh Vaults ghost tours.

Since these are walking tours, it is better to wear appropriate footwear. And because you will be both outdoors and indoors, you must dress up according to the weather. 

Unless you have booked a private tour of Edinburgh Underground Vaults, you will be exploring as a group, and that’s why it is crucial to reach  Mercat Cross on The Royal Mile   15 minutes before the start of your tour.

Arriving early gives you enough time to check in with Mercat Tour’s representative at the meeting point. 

The cheapest (and the most popular) Edinburgh Vaults experience costs 14 Pounds for all adults aged 16 to 59 years. 

Seniors aged 60+ years and students with valid ID cards pay the entrance fee of 12 Pounds.

Kids five to 15 years old only pay 9 Pounds for their Edinburgh South Bridge Vaults experience. 

The most significant Edinburgh Underground tour discount is reserved for kids five to 15 years – on the adult ticket priced at 14 Pounds, they get a 36% discount and thus pay only 9 Pounds. 

The seniors who are 60+ years and students who can display their valid student ID card get a 2 Pound discount on the regular ticket price. 

There are four kinds of Edinburgh Underground Vaults tours you can opt for, and we explain all of them below – 

Ghostly Underground Tour  is the most popular daytime walking tour of Edinburgh’s most haunted vaults.

You meet your Mercat Tours guide at Mercat Cross and get a walking tour of the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town. 

Then you get down into the depths of the city – the underground Edinburgh Vaults – and hear horror stories of torture, murder, hangings, body snatchers, etc.

Starting Point: Mercat Cross Tour ends at: Discovery Room, Blair Street, off Hunter’s Square Tour starting time: 3 pm, 5 pm Duration: 75 minutes Cancellation: 24 hours before tour date for a full refund

Ticket price

Adult ticket (16 to 59 years): 14 Pounds Senior ticket (60+ years): 12 Pounds Student ticket (with valid ID): 12 Pounds Child ticket (5 to 15 years): 9 Pounds

The tour where you explore the Edinburgh Vaults and Canongate Graveyard is called the  Doomed, Dead, and Buried tour .

There are three parts to this tour.

After meeting your guide at Mercat Cross, you indulge in a walking tour of Edinburgh’s darker closes and wynds before journeying into the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Once the ghosts below the surface get handled, the group walks the dark streets of Canongate Graveyard.

Even as you see the graves of famous Scots, you also get to hear many tales of dastardly deeds and ghostly sightings.

Starting Point: Mercat Cross Tour ends at: Canongate Graveyard Tour starting time: 7.30 pm Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes Cancellation: 24 hours before tour date for a full refund

Adult ticket (16 to 59 years): 18 Pounds Senior ticket (60+ years): 16 Pounds Student ticket (with valid ID): 16 Pounds

If you want to combine your Edinburgh Vaults visit with Greyfriars Kirkyard graveyard instead, check out this tour .

This customized vaults tour where you also get to sip on some of the finest Whisky has two names – Edinburgh underground tour and the  Evening of Ghosts and Ghouls .

The tour starts with a leisurely walk along Edinburgh Old Town’s cobbled streets, even as the guide warms you up for what’s to come.

You then step into Blair Street’s Underground Vaults for your share of Edinburgh’s ghost experience. 

The tour ends in a candlelit cellar with a Scottish whiskey in your hand and many scary stories.

If you don’t prefer a whiskey, there is always a glass of lager or soft drink.

Starting Point: Mercat Cross Tour ends at: Megget’s Cellar, Blair Street, off Hunter’s Square Tour starting time: 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm Duration: 2 hours Cancellation: 24 hours before tour date for a full refund

Adult ticket (16 to 59 years): 19 Pounds Senior ticket (60+ years): 17 Pounds Student ticket (with valid ID): 17 Pounds Child ticket (5 to 15 years): 12 Pounds

The night tours are also known as the Mercat’s Hidden and haunted tours . 

This Edinburgh Vaults ghost tour   is so chilling that only visitors 18 years and above can join in.

Stories of sinister misdeeds and terrible consequences start above the ground even as you explore the Old Town. 

But soon enough, you are in the Edinburgh South Bridge Vaults and hear of bloody plots that led to treason, torture, horrific deaths, and tormented souls.

Starting Point: Mercat Cross Tour ends at: Blair Street Underground Vaults, Blair Street, off Hunter’s Square Tour starting time: 9.30 pm Duration: 1 hour Cancellation: 24 hours before tour date for a full refund

Adult ticket (18 to 59 years): 15 Pounds Senior ticket (60+ years): 13 Pounds

If you prefer an Edinburgh Ghost tour that starts even later, check out this  Extreme Paranormal Underground tour  that begins at 10.15 pm

There are many ways to get to Edinburgh Vaults, and we explain everything in detail below.

Where are the Edinburgh Vaults

Since Edinburgh Vaults are under Blair Street, they are also known as the Blair Street Vaults.

And since these Vaults are also part of South Bridge, they also get referred to as South Bridge vaults.

Edinburgh Vaults’ entrance is through the Mercat Tours office at 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR, Scotland. Get Directions

Mercat Tours has exclusive access to the Edinburgh Underground Vaults.

Tours start from Mercat Cross

All Edinburgh Underground tours start with a quick walking tour through the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

That’s why all tours start from  Mercat Cross , which is .3 km (.2 miles) from the Mercat Tours office. 

If you book your tickets online, much in advance, you can head straight to Mercat Cross and meet the guides.

You can also buy last-minute Edinburgh Ghost tour tickets at Mercat Cross, but we won’t recommend it because these tours sell out much in advance.

Mercat Tours’ staff are available at Mercat Cross from 10 am to 12.15 pm, 1.15 pm to 6.15 pm, and 6.45 pm to 10.15 pm to welcome the guests.

Edinburgh Waverly is the closest railway station to Mercat Cross.

Once you get down from the train, walk the .3 Kms (.2 Miles) to Mercat Cross or take a taxi from outside the station on Market Street and Waverly Bridge.

Many buses can take you to Mercat Cross.

Board bus numbers 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 45, 47, or 49 and get down at North Bridge. 

There are many bus stops on North Bridge, but the good part is that all of them are approximately 5 minutes walk from Mercat Cross.

You can also get onto bus numbers 23, 27, 41, or 42 and get down at  George IV Bridge . 

George IV Bridge is also five minutes walk from Mercat Cross. 

For more on bus routes and timings, check out  Lothian Buses . 

The tram stop closest to Mercat Cross is  St Andrew’s Square . 

This tram stop is also where people get down to go to the Waverly Station. 

Car parking options are limited in Edinburgh Old Town. 

There is ‘Pay and Park’ on-street car parking on Blair Street, Cowgate, Blackfriars, and Chambers Street.

A ticket machine is available just five meters from Mercat Tours. 

Blair Street is closest to the Mercat Tours office, but there are only about ten parking slots available, which can get used during peak times. 

There are no assigned disabled parking slots on Blair Street. However, Blue Badge holders can park in the available spaces without a time limit or charge. 

Vehicle access to Mercat Cross is via George IV Bridge. There is no vehicular access from North Bridge. 

That’s why if you prefer a car, it is best to use Uber ,  Central Taxis , or  City Cabs .

Mercat Tours to the Edinburgh Vaults are highly-rated on  Tripadvisor .

We share two of Edinburgh Vaults Tripadvisor reviews, which give you an idea of what to expect.

Most Interesting Tour

I have to admit that I was not interested, but my wife was all for it, so off we went. How wrong my original thoughts were. It is A FASCINATING AND INTERESTING TOUR with loads of history stories of doom and gloom and how the people lived and endured squalor in those ancient times. Take this tour. It is fantastic and made even better by the most interesting and knowledgeable guide Nicky. Well worth it. – Nick , Penarth, UK

Doomed, Dead & Buried

We had a fabulous guide called Helena. She gave a lot of information and made it fun. The Vaults were cool and the Graveyard too. You felt all included, and it was interactive but not too much. I would highly recommend it, make sure you are prepared to walk a little, not massively far but still walking. – Anna P , Sheen, UK

To understand the Edinburgh Vaults or South Bridge Vaults, we must first understand the history of the city.

Impact of Flodden Wall on the city

The English kept on invading the Scots at regular intervals, the biggest battle between the two was called the battle of Flodden in 1513.

After this battle, the city of Edinburgh decided to build the Flodden Wall. 

Key to the map above:

A: Edinburgh Castle B: Flodden Tower C: Greyfriars Kirkyard D: Netherbow Port E: Waverley station

Orange line: King’s Wall (1450-1475) Red line: Flodden Wall (1514-1560) Purple line: Telfer Wall (1620) Blue overlap: Approximate spread of the former Nor Loch

With the Nor Loch swamp forming one line of defense, the Edinburgh Castle forming the next, the city decided to build a wall (the red line in the map above) to protect them from surprise attacks.

While the Flodden Wall and the region’s natural geography helped protect the city from English attacks, they didn’t allow the city to expand with time.

As a result, the residents started living on top of one another.

In a way, the birth of modern skyscrapers can be attributed to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s lay out

The city of Edinburgh is built amongst seven major hills, out of which only two are visible today – the Castle Hill ( Edinburgh Castle is on this hill) and the Calton Hill.

The other five hills of this fortified city are now masked by five bridges, which even out the metropolitan (well, almost) and cover up the valleys. 

Under these bridges built around the Old Town, over centuries, lie eight of Edinburgh’s hidden tunnels and vaults.

• South Bridge Vaults
• Mary King’s Close
• Gilmerton Cove
• Waverley Vaults
• Scotland Street Tunnel
• The Crawley Tunnel
• Innocent Railway Tunnel

Of these eight, South Bridge Vaults and Mary King’s Close are most popular from a tourism perspective.

South Bridge got built to cover the Cowgate gorge and link the Old Town’s High Street with the University buildings in the South of Edinburgh. 

The Bridge got proposed in 1775, but work didn’t start till 1785. 

Three Closes – Marlin’s Wynd, Peebles Wynd, and Niddry’s Wynd – were demolished in the city’s Cowgate area to make way for the Bridge.

Back in the days, these Closes were the poorest neighborhoods of the city. 

Once the construction began in August 1785, it was quick, and the Bridge was ready for the public in 1788. 

The South Bridge consists of 19 arches spanning around 305 meters (1000 feet), out of which only one arch was visible – the Cowgate arch.

At its highest point, the Bridge stands 9.5 meters (31 feet) above the ground, and in some places, the foundations are up to 6.7 meters (22 feet) into the ground. 

One of the elderly residents of the city was to inaugurate the South Bridge when its construction was finally over in 1788. 

She was the wife of a well-known and respected Judge, so everyone was excited. 

But as fate would have it, a few days before the grand opening, the lady passed away. 

Edinburgh’s superstitious people saw this as a bad sign, but they didn’t know that it would worsen.

The city authorities decided to continue with the plan – and instead of the elderly lady walking across the Bridge, her coffin ‘crossed’ the South Bridge.

Most of the city people believed the South Bridge was cursed and refused to use it for many years. 

With time, Edinburgh’s South Bridge started to see traffic, and now merchants wanted to build shops along the top of the Bridge to capitalize on the crowd.

To accommodate these shop fronts, they built tenement houses on both sides of 18 of the 19 arches of the South Bridge. 

To create more space for rent or personal use, they also used up the hollow in the Bridge’s arches, constructing dark, airless, vaulted chambers.

Initially, these underground vaults got used for workshops, storage, warehousing, etc. but with time, the poverty-stricken moved in. 

There is enough proof that these vaults got used for criminal activities such as gambling, illegal whiskey distilling as well. 

Even serial killers Burke and Hare got linked to South Bridge Vaults, but there is no proof that they used the vaults to store the bodies of people they killed. 

Within just 30 years of being inaugurated, the South Bridge Underground Vaults became unusable. 

The lack of light, ventilation, heat, plumbing, sanitation, and seepage of water made it an unlivable space even for the poorest of the poor. 

By 1820 the City of Edinburgh had decided that nobody should live in these underground spaces and closed it.

However, South Bridge is still in use – 230 years after it got inaugurated.

The Edinburgh Vaults got rediscovered more than 150 years after they had been closed by the city council. 

In the 1980s, former Scottish rugby internationalist Norrie Rowan found a tunnel leading to the vaults. 

Soon enough, Des Brogan, a history teacher, joined hands with three other history teachers and started offering ghost tours. 

The first tour of South Bridge’s Edinburgh Vaults took place on 1 July 1985. 

Des Brogan would go on to  found Mercat Tours , the company which today holds the exclusive rights to organize Edinburgh Vaults tours.

Sources # Visitscotland.com # Mercattours.com # Wikipedia.org # Historic-uk.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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This article was researched & written by

Priyanka Dwivedi

Since she doesn't want to leave anything to chance, she prefers sightseeing with the assistance of a tour guide or a city map. She also prefers to visit one place during one holiday, and leave nothing unexplored. During her vacations, she takes long walks, pondering the most profound philosophies of life. Favorite Cities: Prague, Lisbon, Vienna, Munich, Nice

1 thought on “Edinburgh Vaults – ghost tours, tickets, prices, discounts, graveyard visits”

City of the dead tours and Auld reekie tours also have their section of vaults that are different to Blair Street.

http://www.cityofthedeadtours.com

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