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Free tour

Ghosts and ghouls, vampires and cannibals - Edinburgh's dark history with Brian Pendreigh

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Brian
Quality Verified Registered on October 11, 2023

A bit of history, a bit of trivia and a wee dash of stand-up. Born and bred in Edinburgh, I worked as a staff reporter, feature writer and cinema editor on The Scotsman for 17 years and subsequently wrote regularly for the Guardian and London Times. I have written and edited several books, including The Times on Cinema and On Location - The Film Fan's Guide to Britain and Ireland.

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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Do you believe in ghosts? Some do, some don't.
Do you believe in witches and witchcraft? Maybe yes, maybe no.
 
But it is a fact that thousands of people were executed for witchcraft in Scotland, the vast majority of them women.
We are going to walk back in history to a time when everyone believed in ghosts and witches and believed in the Devil as a physical entity. 

We will visit  former workplace and I will tell you about the resident ghost and the spirits that can be found in the basement. 
We will visit Edinburgh's creepy old prison and the neighbouring burial grounds, where you will hear about grave robbers and vampirism.

We will look out over the city at night and hear of a couple in league with the Devil.

And you will hear how a visit to an Edinburgh cemetery inspired what is perhaps the most famous ghost story of all. 
We will finish at Holyrood Palace and the new Scottish Parliament building, with a tale of dark deeds involving cannibalism, a ghost, politicians and even one of my own ancestors. 

Maybe.

"Brian was better than the best" Ravati Sukumar, August 2924.

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK
    High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK
    View on map

    Meet at the Mercat Cross monument, between St Giles Cathedral and Caffe Nero. It is directly opposite the City Chambers and has a unicorn on top. I will have a large umbrella.

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Market Cross
  • 2
    Outside visit
    Old Calton Cemetery
  • 3
    Outside visit
    Bell's Wynd
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Riddle's Court
  • 5
    Outside visit
    New Calton Burial Ground
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Holyrood Palace
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Scottish Parliament Building

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

4.91
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(46 ratings)
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4.96
Entertainment
4.8
Expression
4.87
Information
4.87
Route
4.84
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts reservations up to 20 people.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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