Edinburgh Events

As one of the most haunted cities in the world, Edinburgh has plenty of ghost stories and legends - all year round, but what better time to explore the haunted history than the month of Halloween and Samhuinn? Many ghost tours leave from points along the Royal Mile and hit some of the well-known and supposedly haunted sites - in Old Town. Here are some of the best places and events to get a chill.

Mary King's Close

Way back when, Edinburgh was made up of narrow streets (closes) with multilevel tenements running the length of them. These closes were where daily life took place, with strings of shops and homes strung along these narrow passage ways. As the city was modernized many were demolished or changed, but Mary King's Close remained in its original state.

Tours of this close or ghost walks that pass through it - have a lot of haunted activity to latch onto, especially given that during the seventeenth century plague - victims were confined to the close. In fact the close was eventually sealed off completely. It's even thought that some victims were trapped inside and died there. Apparitions have appeared to many in this location, the most common of which is a young girl of five or six called Annie. If you're a fan of local legends then bring a doll or a small toy to leave for Annie. Many visitors do this and the gifts are later gathered up and handed over to local children's charities.

Haunted Vaults

Set underneath South Bridge is a series of vaults that were rediscovered in the 1980s. Built in 1785, the arches underneath South Bridge are where the vaults can be found. These vaults have been used for many things including local businesses, a refuge for the sick and homeless, and as a supply house for dead bodies – used by the notorious duo Burk and Hare. Because of their dark history these vaults are considered by many to be the creepiest place on earth. No haunted tour is complete without a visit.

Greyfriars Churchyard

In June of 1679 - 1,200 Scots disagreed with the Crown about who was in charge of the church - those in disagreement were called Covenanters. Because of this they were imprisoned in the churchyard of Greyfriars where many died and many more were executed by Judge Sir George Mackenzie, also known as Bloody MacKenzie. His grave is also located in the cemetery at Greyfriars and has had enough strange stories about it to cause the gates of Greyfriars to be locked - for a time - many years ago.

Samhuinn Festival – October 31, 2008

If ghost stories aren't your thing, but you like local legends, tradition and festivals then check out the Samhuinn Festival - put on by the Beltane Society. This Festival follows the legends of the Winter King taking down the Summer King, and it brings the party out into the streets. Music, dancing and fireworks light up a path down the Royal Mile on October 31 so if you're in town - don't miss it!

- Kristin Kendle