Some bits and bobs (the boring bits) before we start. 

This is an audio guided tour through some of the most haunted parts of Edinburgh; visiting the main attractions....the Pubs!!

The premise is simple, progress through the tour and listen to each audio where you will hear chilling stories about that particular place. 

The text will also be available for reading should you need it, and you can go backwards and forwards on your quest at your own volition. 

If there is a fault with your page or you close it accidentally don't worry, you will be able to just reopen it from the start, but we recommend NOT CLOSING the internet page the walk is on. 

We would strongly recommend the use of headphones and to purchase the game for each person on the tour (£4 per person). 

But mostly, have fun....keep your eyes peeled and make sure you are keeping close as a group on this haunting walk. 

This tour has two starting points. For those that don't mind a bit of walking, we recommend the Star Bar (EH3 6LQ) for your start point. For those that want a slightly shorter journey start at the Edinburgh Playhouse (EH1 3AA) and listen to the intro then skip to the playhouse. We then recommend listening to the Star Bar stories mid route from the Playhouse to the Tolbooth Tavern.

Once you have reached your start point, click to access the next page and listen to your introduction audio.

Good day to you, and welcome to this harrowing ghost walk, that will take us to a few of Edinburgh’s most famous, and haunted public houses. Be warned…. before you follow these directions just be aware that you may go home with a couple of extra spirits than you intended.

First and foremost, the boring bits. We will be walking across public highways and paths, so please do look after yourselves, and be aware of other pedestrians as you make your journey. Take special care when crossing roads as we would not want to add more deaths to the tour would we?

Also, we do advise drinking in moderation, and be aware of your faculties at all time.

The tour will be mapped out for you on the app, however do feel free to stop off in-between locations for a drink, some food or to sample any of the wonderful shops that Edinburgh has to offer. There is no time limit to your tour, and the ghosts will still be there when you decide to continue.

All set? Ready, steady…ghost!

The Star Bar is one of the spookiest pubs Edinburgh has to offer. Situated in the New Town, Star Bar actually has a clause in its lease forbidding the removal of a skull that was found on the premises. Attracting the attention of many paranormal investigators the skull has caused several disasters when it was removed from its supernatural home. A previous manager who transferred it to another local bar was shot during a raid shortly after he decided it would be wise to move it from the pub. Fitters at one time took out the skull and inside a week their workplace had burnt down. The last time the skull was displayed the brewery was mysteriously flooded. Many have seen the skull, but few have the courage to touch it. You would be wise to give it a wide berth if you know what is best for you.

There are a couple of stories that could possibly tell us the former owner of the skull inside the pub. Thomas Aikenhead, the son of a surgeon in the city, aged 18, was indicted for blasphemy by the Edinburgh Privy Council for calling the New Testament “the history of the imposter Christ”. He was hanged in 1696, the last person to be executed for heresy in Britain. Could it be that he wanted to get on revenge on all those that would dare to speak out against his name?

Alternatively like most cities Edinburgh had certain class distinctions. The Cowgate area was the Irish portion of the city and one viewed as of the lower order. They kept to their own quarters and seldom came up to the light of the city. Many an Edinburgh man has never set foot on the street but lives beneath the street and were described as moles, earthworms or at best: miners. Could the skull belong to a long-lost departed soul who wishes to remain under ground.

The Edinburgh Maiden is an early form of guillotine that was used between the 16^th and 18^th centuries as a means of execution in Edinburgh. The device was introduced in 1564 and was last used in 1716. It long predates the guillotine during the French revolution.

It was manufactured in Edinburgh and made of Oak with a lead weight and an iron blade. It was devised because the sword used for executions in Edinburgh in 1563 was worn out and funds were having to be used for the loan of a sword for beheading. Also using a sword could be messy if a few blows were required, especially if the victim moved. You can picture the scene…a head half hanging off as blood spayed the audience; the executioner working up a sweat as he frantically tries to administer the fatal blow. The Provost at the time ordered the Maiden to be built at a cost of a few pounds. The first execution on record was that of Thomas Scott in 1565.  From 1564 to 1710 150 people were executed. The Maiden is now shown in the National Museum of Scotland. Historically beheading was typically used for noblemen while commoners would be hanged. The Act was finally abolished in, 1973; Man had walked on the moon before this act was abolished!!

So, our skull in the Inn could belong to any of the many people who lost their heads during this time and who want it to remain there until the head re united with its body.

It is a long walk until your next haunted pub (approx. 1 mile) so we will stop off at the Playhouse halfway with another bloodied tale before continuing with 5 pubs in quick succession.

Standing facing the Star Bar turn left onto Northumberland Place.

Then a quick right then left onto Dublin Meuse and then right onto Dublin Street.

Walk down until the crossroads and then turn left onto Albany Street. Walk to the end of Albany Street and turn right onto Broughton Street.

Turn left onto Leith Walk and continue until you see the Edinburgh Playhouse on your right.

Safely cross over the road to it.

We stop now, just briefly to take on a little bit of a show…. but one that never leaves.

We say hello to the friendliest ghost in the City, Albert. Albert made his grand appearance in the 1950’s, when on report of a break-in to the playhouse, a police officer entered inside and was greeted by a stagehand, named Albert. He politely showed the officer around, as the policeman searched for any sight of the would-be-thief.

After a short but fruitless search, the policeman was ready to leave, and the smiling elderly man assured the officer he would lock-up for the night.

The following day, the police returned to the playhouse, to ensure there had been no more nocturnal visitors. The officer explained to the day staff he had visited the premises last night and was shown around by an elderly stagehand called Albert.

The team gasped in shock horror, unable to reply. Eventually the stagehand present explained that there was no one called Albert currently working with the team. However, there WAS an Albert. The old stagehand, who had died some 15 years earlier, and that no one had actually been working last night. Shivers ran up the police officer’s spine as he quickly made his exit from the stage.

There have also been numerous other close encounters with our deceased friend, with reports of a chilling moaning noise coming from corridors out of view, of cages rattling and hurried footsteps rushing towards them…..so maybe not so friendly after all. Unless he has other guests locked away with him.

Now a story so good for the ears that it deserves to be on stage. We will not pass the area that this story yields from so now is as good a place as any to tell you the tale.

Despite its relatively small scale, Scotland was one of the biggest persecutors of Witches in all of Europe.

Suspicion of Witchcraft reached its height in 1590, after King James (first) began to believe he and his betrothed has been cursed by a coven of demonic witches. Whilst sailing to Scotland, their ship nearly capsized in stormy seas; with the then King believing a coven of witches were responsible for placing a curse on him.

Not long after, a businessman reported his family maid Geillis Duncan has an avid fascination with witchcraft as she has the dubious distinction of helping the sick and infirm….how dare she!! She was thrown into jail and tortured.

Firstly, she was fastened to a wall by a witches bridle: an instrument with four sharped prongs forced deep into the mouth. Not being allowed to sleep, she was thrown around the room with a rope tightly fastened around her head, savagely beaten, and chained up in a cold, dank room, festering with rats and lice. She could do nothing but wallow in her own vomit and excrement. Eventually she confessed to being a witch and named another elderly well respected lady of being the same: Angus Sampson.

After suffering the same methods of torture, Angus confessed to 53 charges against her; culminating in her being strangled and burnt at the stake. This had a domino effect with name after name being brought to injustice by the savage decree of a cruel and malevolent King.

Some even said that an oath to kill the king was sealed by a kiss on the Devil’s buttock himself; talk about a bad moon rising.

Had enough death and decay? Marvellous…lets move on to our next ghostly location.

Keeping the Playhouse on your left, follow the road up Leith Walk towards the City.

Take a left onto Leith Street and then a short left onto Calton Road. Continue for a little while on Calton Road keeping an eye out for Old Tolbooth Wynd on your right, after the turning for Main Street.

Follow this road to the end and enter through the narrowed arched passage to find your next location next door. 

Tolbooth Tavern rests in a building which was established in 1590. The Tavern was opened in 1820 and is one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh. In its long history it has been used as a police cell, prison and courthouse. It has seen the imprisonment of the covenanters, daring escapes and warlocks exorcised….giving us a clear idea as to why some of its previous inhabitants would not be allowed to leave. The medieval building was used to divide the Royal Burgh of Edinburgh and Canongate.

As you follow the stairs up to the entrance of the Canongate tolbooth you get a fantastic view of an historic plaque dedicated to King James. The plaque is completed with a thistle, the national flower of Scotland.

There are tales of a suspected warlock being exorcised on the premises by Sir Lewis Bellenden, justice clerk of the Burgh. The supposed warlock was said to be so scared that he died of fright shortly after the exorcism and that his ghost can be seen wandering the staircases at night. The warlock was named as Richard Graham and was a known magician and necromancer. He was well known in the area and also had the ear of many noble families. He was said to have used mystical practices for over 20 years; and had an on and off friendship with the earl of Bothwell. On his arrest Graham was questioned by many people one of whom was King James and he admitted conjuring spirits and summoning the devil; however under the questioning of the royal guards most would say anything just to get them to stop…..

Richard would have been fastened down to a plinth….his four limbs tied down and his head controlled in a vice. Perhaps a rotting rag stuffed in his mouth. Once he was made comfortable; a red hot poker would have been slowly pressed up and down his body; focussing on the most painful areas; burning his skin so that he could smell his own flesh. Then; his foot was placed in a large wooden boot….surrounded by a winch and bolts…as the winch was wound…the boot tightened. Richards foot would have slowly been crushed, the winch wound tighter and tighter; his bones breaking, crunching, and dislocating. If he still did not admit his guilt…. onto the next step. Pincers called ‘turkas’ would be used to slowly pull finger and toe nails from his extremities, then dullened needles would be stabbed into his fleshy remains; causing agonising pain and anguish. Eventually he confesses; that the Earl of Bothwell had requested a ‘face potion’ he could give to the King. The potion would make the King look favourably on the Earl. The Earl was tried over a year after Graham was executed but they still used his testimony to prove treason.

Between 1661 and 1668 the Scottish Presbyterian movement known as the covenanters were imprisoned for treason at the Tolbooth. During this civil war; 18000 covenanters were captured; imprisoned and sentenced to death…executed by their own countrymen. This became known as the “killing times”, with streets running red with blood and bodies pilling up; rotting in large pits of decay.

With all its ghastly history some spirits stand out from the crowd: an unnamed spirit, a male; often seen as a shadowy figure, makes his way around the pub, pushing glasses and bottles off the tables and knocking pictures off the walls. So keep a close hand on your glass if you decide to pop in here for a drink. On a youthful note; this pub is said to be home to the spirits of several children who play throughout the pub. Their voices and footsteps are often heard echoing through the air, as they run about; their high pitched screaming causing shivers down the spine of those who hear them.

And lastly before we move on; there are frequent rumours of  a ghostly spectre climbing the stairs to the clock tower – Richard Graham perhaps, trying to escape the guards rushing up to him…..wondering if the jump from the tower is a better fate to the capture and torture that awaits…..

All in good spirits? Excellent….lets move on.

Facing away from the pub, turn right onto Cannongate and continue onto High Street

Keep an eye out on your left for Niddry Steet

Head down Niddry Street and Whistlebinkies will appear on your right shortly after.

Welcome. A lot of the local population will be familiar with Whistlebinkies pub, mainly for its live music and incredibly atmospheric setting. However, for others, it is one of the most haunted pubs in Edinburgh, and since opening its doors in the mid 1990’s there have been some seriously creepy goings on here. The bar was built into the converted chambers under the haunted South Bridge and has been plagued by two ghosts over the years – The Imp and the Watcher.

The Watcher first appeared when the bar designer walked into the unfinished venue in 1994. He saw the back of a figure wearing what looked like a long dress, tri cornered hat and large dark boots. Thinking he was a lost tourist he followed the figure down into the cellar but found that no one else was there. He sketched what he saw and this is the only picture in existence of the ghost. He later found that it wasn’t a dress but the long coat of a 17th century gentleman. We will meet the watcher again later; however, be aware of this particular phantom; his vision will bring bad luck upon you and your group; staring at you with a faceless hole where his eyes should be.

Staff at the pub often hear mysterious shuffling in the cellar and have been known to refuse to go down there alone; they do not want the imp playing tricks on them.

One particular alarming incident is reported to have occurred when a barmaid was alone in the pub stocking up before opening time. She had to go to the cellar to get some more wine. She entered the cool dimly lit cellar, but it felt colder than normal. She grabbed hold of some bottles of wine and tried to kick the door open, but it wouldn’t budge. She pushed and shoved with all her might but to no avail it would not open. Fear and apprehension took over her body, she screamed but nobody could hear her. She reports the sound of a high picked cackle from behind the door. She finally slumped into a corner shaking with fear holding a bottle of vodka. She was found by staff later on still holding the now partially drunk bottle of vodka. This was the work of the Imp who has never been seen but likes to cause mischief to those he meets.

The Imp has also been known to play around with patrons drinks and belongings; once pouring out an American backpacker’s bag in the bar area in 1995 for no good reason; as well as knocking over countless drinks from tables and out of hands.

Most curiously….he has previously once peeled an orange for a member of staff. The orange was left behind the bar; whilst the lady served a customer. When she turned around; she noticed the orange has been fully peeled and segmented; proving even ghosts can find time to help themselves to their 5 a day.

Now just a short stumble down the road.

Turn right out of the pub and you will soon see Banshee Labyrinth on your right hand side on Niddry Steet.

The Banshee Labyrinth is the self-proclaimed most haunted night club in Scotland. Areas of the pub were once part of the infamous underground vaults of Edinburgh.. A dark, dank, windowless area that became home for the homeless, the criminals and the prostitutes. A lawless society that imposed its own justice often in a cruel and violent manner. It was here that many people met a gruesome end. If the lack of sunlight, clean water and sanitation didn’t kill you then the occupants certainly would.

Within the club many staff will tell the patrons not to leave their glasses alone as an unseen hand will creep out of no-where, suddenly clutching it and throwing it violently against a wall. The most famous spirit that lives here is known as the ‘Banshee’. On one occasion two workers were renovating the pub and heard a blood curdling scream coming from one of the vaults. The men explored where they heard this frightening sound but found nothing. Shortly after, one of the men received a phone call informing him that one of his close relatives had just passed away.  The cry of the Banshee is said to be a warning proclaiming a sudden and unexpected death; so keep a close ear to the ground tonight….you don’t want to hear the piercing shriek any time soon.

The vaults were bricked up in the mid 1800’s and were only rediscovered in the 1980’s. Along with this, at the front of the club was the home of one of the richest men in Edinburgh at that time, Lord Nicol Edwards. Edwards was the Lord Provost of Edinburgh during the reign of James VI of Scotland and was reputedly a vile man – not only did he abuse his own wife horribly but he is said to have had a basement dungeon beneath his house where he personally tortured suspects before trial.

There are three notable spirits within the premises. Molly was a young girl of about 8 years of age who disappeared within the vaults, in very mysterious circumstances. Many years later when workmen were excavating the vaults they found, behind a newly exposed fireplace a pair of shoes with the name ‘Molly’ written in them. As they tidied up their excavation, they placed some heavy stools within the fireplace only to see them propelled from the area. Molly didn’t want her resting place disturbed by stools.

The second; The Watcher, who we have met before…. is known to frequent the vaults.  Moving silently, he will target those he feels have offended him. Appearing suddenly out of nowhere; rushing close to the victim’s face; leaving them transfixed with fear; as when they stare into his face there is nothing to see except a dark, bloodied void. He will then walk away, An appearance by the watcher within these vaults  is said to bring a curse upon those who see him.

Lastly, a calming presence…”Boots” also resides at the vaults. He patrols the corridors and cellars and many people have heard his boots striking the floor. There is a sense that he is looking after the premises and patrons alike, keeping an eye out for the watcher; helping prevent harm coming to his guests.

So you will find the good and the bad here….now onwards; to our next ghoulish location.

Turn right out of the pub down Niddry Steet.

At the bottom turn right again onto Cowgate.

Continue on Cowgate and cross straight over the roundabout.

Take a right onto West Bow and then immediately a left onto the pedestrianised paths of Grassmarket.

The Last drop will be shortly on your right.

This pub was named after the last hanging to have occurred in Grassmarket, the Last Drop, has a suitably macabre history. The Grassmarket gallows were allegedly situated across from the pub and could explain the high level of paranormal activity exhibited in the area. A St Andrews cross, marks the area where the executions took place opposite the pub. The pub is haunted by a little girl in medieval clothing with sightings of the diminutive spirit occurring in both the cellar and bar areas. Supposedly the mischievous little girl lived in the tenements that were later transformed into the pub. The buildings were rebuilt between 1929 and 1930 using the same stones. The Last Drop also has a door piece that dates to 1634.

The little girl has been spotted by the staff over the years and has been known to whisper some of their names when they were alone in the building. You should try and picture yourself alone in the dimly lit and cold cellar area and then hear a child’s voice quietly calling out your name. Would you run or answer?

The Grassmarket became the official spot for public executions in Edinburgh in 1660 and remained so for over 100 years. As a result, it became the scene of a great many deaths. Even a hangman was executed here as he was found guilty of murdering a beggar. In 1736 the area was also the site of the famous Porteous riots which saw the inept Captain Porteous (leader of the town Guard) lynched by angry locals.

Between 1661 and 1668 over 100 Covenanters were put to death in Grassmarket in a period known brutally as ‘The Killing Time’.

In 1724 a woman cheated death just outside the pub. Maggie Dickson was charged with murder and condemned to hang after she had an illegitimate pregnancy and the subsequent stillbirth of her child. She was walked to the gallows and the floor taken away. She writhed and wriggled for a while and when she stopped, they took her down and placed her in a carriage for the morgue. Fortunately, she woke up and discovered that she wasn’t dead. Nobody would hang her again, so she was set free and went on to live a long life.

In 1670 after he retired from his post as Commander of the Edinburgh Town Guard, Thomas Weir, grew ill and from his sickbed told stories of a life of debauchery and vice mixed in with witchcraft. His sister also confessed to dabbling in witchcraft and sorcery with her brother who she said had been given supernatural gifts so he could ride in a fiery carriage on the devil’s business. He alleged that he gained his power from a walking stick he always carried. The pair were found guilty of witchcraft and she was hanged at Grassmarket. Weir was burnt at the stake and his walking stick thrown onto the fire. Many say it did not burn!!

So it is no wonder people feel shivers when they walk in the Grassmarket area especially when they visit the Last Drop.

Your last destination is only a few steps away.

Just turn right out of the pub and your final place of rest will be the White Hart on your right.

To finish our walk, an Inn with a great ghostly pedigree due to its proximity to the number of deaths it has witnessed….from ethe executions you have just been told! Public hangings used to take place near the Inn and the baying crowds would flock to the pub for some deserved refreshment after hours of watching their kin folk dangle at the end of a rope, their last breaths being pulled from their bodies.

Robert Burns poetry is painted on the beams and its cellarage dates back to 1516 suggesting that the pub existed on this site many years before the present one. The White Hart claims to be the oldest and most haunted pub in Edinburgh and rumour has it that even William Wordsworth stayed here in 1803 to sample the ‘atmosphere.

Along with all the unworldly patrons there were some decidedly sinister live people who used the Inn for their own ill-gotten gains. Burke and Hare, the body snatchers, were patrons of the Inn and they picked up many of their victims here. Unbeknown to their victims they would befriend them at the bar, picking on the impoverished and outcasts; lubricating their mouths with whisky after whisky; plying them with alcohol. Then; when the unwilling victim had their fill; they would kindly escort them to the bedroom….of which they would not return. They would pounce upon the target; pinning them down and suffocating them…two strong men overpowering the drunken, terrified prey. This method meant there was little physical damage to the bodies so commanded a higher price. They sold the corpses to a Dr Knox at Edinburgh Medical School. A pretty price for an unpretty deed.

Staff and regulars will tell you of unexplained bangs in the cellar room and the sound of footsteps and shadowing figures seen running near the cellar. Many people have stated that unseen hands have touched them. It seems like these particular spirits did not want to leave the comfort of the pub…perhaps scared of what is to come? Edinburgh was known to prefer the “short drop” method of hanging. This meant that the poor victims did not fall far enough to suffer instantaneous death; however spent minutes writhing in agony, clinging to life as the rope slowly suffocated them…..no wonder some are desperate to hide down in the cellar!

Within the cellar; doors slam on their own and barrels have been seen to move themselves. There is also rumour of a particularly mischievous ghost who will turn the taps of the beer pumps off. Staff will go downstairs and turn them back on only to get back to the bar to discover they have been turned off again! Numerous staff have reported being pelted by condiment sets by unseen hands. Staff have also seen a shadowy figure at the doorway behind the bar that goes down to the cellar. This figure has been followed by staff only to discover the cellar empty.

Such were the sightings that the Para Normal society attended on 31/Oct 2004 and spent the night in the Inn searching for any paranormal activity. They set up their machinery and cameras and waited. Many of the members heard noises, saw things move of their own accord and also saw mysterious orbs of light which were recorded. The ghosts here appear to be friendly and playful and many people state they have captured shadowy shapes on their cameras from within the Inn.

So it seems wherever you venture in this City, you are bound to bump into something of the night.

Keep safe, Travel well, and before you think you are safe at home, make sure you check you room twice, and hope you haven’t brought home an extra friend this day.

Many thanks for all your time.