Halloween is only days away and so there is no better time to do something spooky. Luckily, there are plenty of spine-tingling sights to see all over Scotland.
One city in particular that has a reputation for having a hair-raising history is Edinburgh. The capital is known as one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and with so many stories of ghosts, ghouls, and poltergeists it's hardly a surprise.
The capital has many attractions taking advantage of this notoriety, most notably The Edinburgh Dungeon. For those who want to experience history and explore the city at the same time, a walking tour may be the answer.
READ MORE — One of Scotland's 'most haunted castles' launches Halloween ghost tour
If you're looking for a suitably unnerving Halloween activity, there are numerous tours in Edinburgh that not only teach you about the city's storied history, but also provide plenty of scares too. The large variety means it can be hard to know which tours are worth your time, however. We took to TripAdvisor to check out its ranking of the best ghost and vampire tours in Edinburgh. The full list can be found here, but here's a roundup of the top 5.
5. Fright Night Tour
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 414
Edinburgh's medieval Old Town is home to some of the city's most interesting — and sinister — history. Your guide on this tour, dressed in period costume, will recount some of its most chilling tales.
What one visitor said: "Very interesting and educational tour! Our guide Jessy King, was very knowledgable, and we learned a lot about Edinburgh's "dark" (and also funny) history.
"Jessy was entertaining and made the tour interesting for everyone (even our teenage kids)! Definitely recommendable!"
4. Haunted Vaults walking tour in Edinburgh
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 790
Edinburgh has an underground network of vaults that dates back to the 1700s. What better way to spend Halloween than trawling through them with a knowledgeable guide?
What one visitor said: "A fantastic tour made even better by our guide. Incredible experience seeing the vaults and hearing the stories behind them.
"Highly recommend for friends, couples and families."
3. Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh
Rating: 4/5
Number of reviews: 1,369
This tour differs from the rest because it, as the name suggests, is on a bus. According to reviews, this one leans more towards comedic and entertaining rather than downright bone-chilling.
What one visitor said: "Really enjoyed our trip on the ghost bus. Really informative and very funny.
"It’s well worth the money. I highly recommend doing this if you're in Edinburgh."
2. Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh
Rating: 4.5/5
Number of reviews: 397
If you've got a particular interest in Edinburgh's historic graveyards, this adults-only walking tour could be for you. You'll be told frightful stories of bloody deaths and returns from the grave.
What one visitor said: "We went tonight, Charlie was our guide and she was amazing to listen to, really knowledgeable and although the experience was very scary and intimidating for most, Charlie made everyone laugh a few times and lightened the experience as a whole we really enjoyed it!"
1. Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
Rating: 5/5
Number of reviews: 2,077
According to TripAdvisor reviews, Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends is the best ghost tour in Edinburgh. Guests are taken through the cobbled streets of Calton Hill, North Bridge, and Canongate cemetery, and it's been called "atmospheric and fun".
What one visitor said: "The highlight of our trip to Edinburgh so far. Sebela was a brilliant guide, striking just the right tone - spooky, interesting and funny.
"We saw parts of Edinburgh we would never have walked to on our own."
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