CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

The Dark Side of Edinburgh

The Dark Side of Edinburgh is a historic tour of the city that doesn't leave out all the gory details. Are brave enough to learn the truth?

The Dark Side of Edinburgh

About The Dark Side of Edinburgh

If you want a mundane, humdrum history walk, this is not the tour for you. But... if you want to learn what the tourist industry leaves out? The hidden, gruesome crimes and punishments? The long forgotten twisted, sadistic characters? The thousands of lives painfully lost in the cruel grip of Edinburgh's past? Maybe you are brave enough to learn the truth.

Hear of witches, cannibals, murders, thieves, body snatchers, blood thirsty mobs and the devil in disguise. We will explore haunted graveyards, hide up darkened closes, spit on the Heart of Midlothian and bravely face where Edinburgh believed the world ended. You even get a chance to knock on Bloody Mackenzie's door, if you dare!

Madam McKinnon will guide you through our streets under cover of darkness. She's been dead for almost 200 years and does not take kindly to modern nonsense. She will however, crack your sides with laughter over her dry Scottish wit. And her tales will chill you to your core.

Our tours are historically accurate, with a history this dark there's no need to fabricate!

The Dark Side of Edinburgh is a historic tour of the city that doesn't leave out all the gory details. The tours are 2 hours long and performed by our very own Madam McKinnon. They run often and in the evenings, if you have a particular date in mind or want to enquire about a private tour. Don't hesitate to get in touch!

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
The Chocolatarium
Escape The Past

Similar events you might like...

Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Selected dates between 12th December 2025 - 27th March 2026
Edinburgh Old Town

This walking tour of Edinburgh focuses on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day!

READ MORE
Christmas Amble - Holyrood Park

Christmas Amble - Holyrood Park

Selected dates between 23rd December 2025 - 30th December 2025

Join a ranger for a warming winter amble in Holyrood Park and learn a bit about some festive plants and animals!

READ MORE
Trees in Winter

Trees in Winter

11th January 2026

Join a ranger to learn the tips and tricks to identify trees in winter around the lovely setting of Holyrood Park on Sunday 11th January.

READ MORE
Trees in Winter

Trees in Winter

18th January 2026

Join a ranger to learn the tips and tricks to identify trees in winter around the lovely setting of Linlithgow Peel and Loch on Sunday 18th January!

READ MORE
An Edinburgh Burns Night at The Real Mary King’s Close

An Edinburgh Burns Night at The Real Mary King’s Close

23rd January 2026 - 25th January 2026

Join us at The Real Mary King's Close for a unique Burns Night experience filled with poetry, history, Scottish dishes and Scotch whisky!

READ MORE
Wetland Wander

Wetland Wander

31st January 2026

Join a ranger on Saturday 31st January to celebrate World Wetland Day and discover Holyrood Park's lochs and bogs!

READ MORE
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour

Drawing the Italian Renaissance: BSL Tour

31st January 2026

Join our British Sign Language tour of the Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at The King's Gallery, Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Winter Wetland Wander

Winter Wetland Wander

1st February 2026

Join a ranger on Sunday 1st February to celebrate World Wetland Day and discover why the wetland of Linlithgow Loch is so important for wildlife!

READ MORE
The Women of Holyrood Park

The Women of Holyrood Park

6th March 2026 - 8th March 2026

Come along and hear about the women of the past who shaped the Holyrood Park of today, on these March guided walks!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
The Chocolatarium
Escape The Past
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
The spectacular Torchlight Procession will once again light up the city with a river of fire created by over 15,000 torch bearers and friends from around the world!
Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Christmas Market
One of the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe, Edinburgh's Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens showcasing the best in artisan festive products and goods from local makers!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall