/5
Executions, Body Snatchers & Life in Edinburgh's Shadows Free Tour
Verified by:
FREETOUR.com
Provided by:
Stuart McClelland
Duration
1h 45min
Meeting point
Covenanters Memorial
Languages
English
From €0
Tip based
Free Booking. Free Cancellation.
No fixed price — pay what you feel the tour is worth.
Overview
Walk the streets of Edinburgh with a 5-star rated local guide. Hear the stories behind the myths, meet the people behind the crimes, and discover secrets most visitors never uncover. On this dark history walk, explore Edinburgh’s most unsettling chapters — from the Grassmarket gallows to the Burke & Hare murders.
Discover how executions became public spectacle, how poverty shaped life in the Cowgate, and how the city’s reputation for anatomy and the subsequent demand for bodies led body snatchers to turn death into a trade — before Burke & Hare took it even further. This is not a ghost tour. It’s the true story of a city shaped by inequality, disease, and rapid change — where progress often came at a human cost.
Along the route, we visit key locations including the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Old College, uncovering how death and survival were part of everyday life in Old Town Edinburgh.
- Ideal for those looking for a more authentic and thought-provoking experience
- Small groups for a more personal tour
By the end, you’ll see Edinburgh very differently.
Please note: some topics may not be suitable for very young children.
Discover how executions became public spectacle, how poverty shaped life in the Cowgate, and how the city’s reputation for anatomy and the subsequent demand for bodies led body snatchers to turn death into a trade — before Burke & Hare took it even further. This is not a ghost tour. It’s the true story of a city shaped by inequality, disease, and rapid change — where progress often came at a human cost.
Along the route, we visit key locations including the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Old College, uncovering how death and survival were part of everyday life in Old Town Edinburgh.
- Ideal for those looking for a more authentic and thought-provoking experience
- Small groups for a more personal tour
By the end, you’ll see Edinburgh very differently.
Please note: some topics may not be suitable for very young children.
Tour Conditions
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible
Minimum Attendees
No minimum attendees
Children
Suitable for families with children
Extra Fees
No additional cost
Pets
Pet-friendly
Read more
This activity includes:
- Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Old College, The University of Edinburgh
- Covenanters Memorial
- Grassmarket Market
- Cowgate Bridge
Our Guides
Stuart
On arrival
I will meet you at the Covenanters Memorial in the Grassmarket. I will always have my trusty pink umbrella to hand, whatever the weather.
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Cancellation policy
You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.
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