Immersive Underground Vaults Historical Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Duration
1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
Languages
English
Skip the line
Included
About this activity
Journey beneath the bustling streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town and discover a hidden world on the Historic Underground tour. Gain exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults, the city’s largest system of underground caverns, built in the 18th century. Once home to Edinburgh’s most impoverished and desperate residents, these vaults provide a window into the darker side of Georgian Edinburgh.
Your expert storyteller will guide you through the damp, dark corridors, illuminating the day-to-day life of those who sought refuge here. The tour also explores the incredible history of the vaults themselves—why they were built, how they were used, and how they became one of the city’s most fascinating hidden locations. Discover authentic 19th-century artifacts that were left behind by former inhabitants and explore our Discovery Room, which brings the vaults to life with 3D models and interactive displays.
With exclusive access to areas not available on other tours, you’ll gain a unique perspective on Edinburgh’s history and the human stories that shaped it.
- Exclusive access to the Blair Street Underground Vaults
- Hear captivating stories from expert storytellers about life in Old Town Edinburgh
- View real 19th-century artifacts uncovered in the vaults
- Explore the Discovery Room featuring 3D models and historical displays
- Immersive experience with Mercat exclusive audio devices
- Guided tour of the Blair Street Underground Vaults
- Entry to the Discovery Room with interactive displays
- Personal Mercat audio device for a fully immersive experience
- Children under the age of 5
- Guests with mobility issues, as the vaults involve uneven surfaces and stairs
- Guests with claustrophobia or fear of dark spaces
- No Children under 5
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to uneven surfaces
- The underground vaults are cool and damp, so wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing is recommended
- Tours run daily in the morning and afternoon
- The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and covers around 650 steps
No meeting points available.
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