The Spookiest Places to Visit in Edinburgh in the Fall

The Fall is a magical time to pay a trip to Edinburgh. The tree-lined hills surrounding the city are russet red, warm pubs with inviting fireplaces beckon from the old streets and there are atmospheric adventures and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

 “Grassmarket by night” by Geograph, licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0

The haunted city

Ghosties, ghoulies and things that go bump in the night are always a strong attraction for those visiting Edinburgh at this time of year.  The dark and mysterious history of the city reaches from deep below its underbelly to the high streets of the aristocracy. Edinburgh is and always will be a city of historical mystery, where grave robbers, ghosts and spirits roamed in the night.

Edinburgh Castle

When you visit Edinburgh during the day, the Castle will tell you many historical tales. The history of the castle alone is fascinating, but the stories of its residents are much more interesting.  The building itself is a marvel, with trails, dungeons and cold stone towers to keep you wandering for hours.  The beautiful castle is well worth seeing during your day visit.

Edinburgh by Night

Well, Edinburgh in the evening truly is a spectacle that will create a trip to remember. If you visit our great city during the autumn or winter months, nights will begin to draw in around 4pm and the city will become the perfect setting for a night out with a difference.

Real Mary King’s Close

You can start your night with a visit to The Real Mary King’s Close where you can learn the truth about how people really lived in Edinburgh’s underground streets. We are one of the only attractions that stay open during the winter season and our last tour starts at 5pm meaning it’s a great way to start a night of exploring the darker side of Edinburgh’s past.

Ghostly tours

If exploring our underground streets gives you a taste of the weird and wonderful, then why not book onto the ‘City of the Dead’ tour. This explores the legendary ‘Underground City’ where entire communities lived in squalor. It was dirty and grimy and reported to be ‘as black as Satan’s jammies’.

If being spooked by that isn’t enough, head off on the ‘Auld Reekie’ tour where you can see the vaults and graveyards, including the South Bridge Vaults to experience a bone chilling trip through the murkiest part of Edinburgh.

Check out our guides for visiting Edinburgh for more help with planning your trip.