Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
Step into the shadowy side of Edinburgh, where taverns, kirkyards, and closes hold centuries of rumor and ghostly lore. This route weaves through Grassmarket pubs, burial grounds, and hidden lanes where legend and history meet. Along the way, you’ll hear of body-snatchers, double-lived deacons, and gallows survivors. With narration, GPS guidance, and local tips, it’s a walk through the darker heart of the Old Town.
Highlights
Greyfriars Kirkyard — burial ground of Covenanters and legends; hear how Mackenzie’s tomb gave rise to ghostly tales.
Grassmarket Square — market ground and gallows green; discover Maggie Dickson’s survival and the crowd’s morbid fascination.
Maggie Dickson’s Plaque — Half Hangit Maggie remembered; learn how she lived on after the rope failed to claim her.
White Hart Inn — 18th-century inn where Burke and Hare once drank; hear whispers of footsteps and darker connections.
Last Drop Tavern — name tied to executions and final drinks; step inside a pub where gallows lore lingers.
Deacon Brodie’s Tavern — home of a cabinetmaker turned thief; discover how his double life inspired Jekyll and Hyde.
The World’s End — tavern at the burgh boundary; learn how its name recalls old city walls and a notorious crime.
Tolbooth Tavern — once a burgh hall and jail; uncover tales of trials, prisoners, and uneasy after-hours sounds.
Tron Kirk — landmark kirk with vaults and lore; explore how a weighing beam gave the church its unusual name.
Canongate Kirkyard — resting place of Adam Smith and poets; walk among symbols, stories, and twilight apparitions.
Mary King’s Close — underground street sealed for centuries; descend into legends of plague, spirits, and survival.
Cockburn Street & Closes — Victorian curve and medieval lanes; wander among shops, taverns, and ghostly passages.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Tour area: Edinburgh – Haunted Taverns & Dark Legends
Distance: ~1.8 miles (2.9 km) • Time: 2 hours • Stops: 12+ • Terrain: Slopes, cobblestones, tavern steps, narrow closes
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone. On the map, tap the compass to center on your current location (one-time locate). If you’d like the map center to follow you as you walk, turn on GPS Auto-Location in Settings (optional). Now knowing where YOU are, visit any stop you like, in any order, at any pace — you’re in complete control.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
