For those seeking to uncover the dark and captivating past of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Jail Tour offers a unique opportunity to delve into the city’s haunted history. This immersive experience takes visitors on a journey through the eerie corridors and cells of the former prison, revealing the stories of the individuals who were once incarcerated within its walls.
The City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour
The City of the Dead Tours, a renowned operator in Edinburgh, offers the Haunted Graveyard Tour, which includes exclusive access to the Covenanter’s Prison, a locked section of Greyfriars Graveyard. This tour combines history, humor, and horror, culminating in a chilling experience inside the Covenanter’s Prison, the lair of the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist.
| Tour Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Cost | From £16 per adult |
| Timings | Departs daily, with varying times depending on the season |
| Duration | Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Departure Point | City of the Dead Sign (or the tree with their plaque) on the pavement at the side of St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament Square, Royal Mile, Midlothian, Scotland, EH1 1RE |
| Highlights | Exclusive access to the Covenanter’s Prison, a locked section of Greyfriars Graveyard, which is the lair of the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist |
The Double Dead Tour
For those seeking an even more immersive and thrilling experience, the City of the Dead Tours offers the Double Dead Tour. This tour provides exclusive access to two of the most haunted places on the planet: the South Bridge Vaults and the Covenanter’s Prison in Greyfriars Graveyard. It is not suitable for pregnant women, those with a heart condition, or people who have difficulty walking.
| Tour Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Cost | £22.00 (£20.00 discount) |
| Timings | Nightly, with varying times depending on the season |
| Duration | Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Departure Point | Tree of the Dead, by the roadside wall of St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile |
| Highlights | Exclusive access to the South Bridge Vaults and the Covenanter’s Prison in Greyfriars Graveyard |
Underground City of the Dead
For those who wish to delve even deeper into Edinburgh’s haunted past, the City of the Dead Tours offers the Underground City of the Dead tour. This tour ventures into the most haunted section of Edinburgh’s legendary Underground City, Damnation Alley, where a population once lived in utter misery.
| Tour Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Cost | £16.00 for Adults and £14.00 for Students/retired |
| Timings | Varying times depending on the season |
| Duration | Not specified |
| Departure Point | Not specified |
| Highlights | Exploration of the most haunted section of Edinburgh’s legendary Underground City, Damnation Alley |
Notable Escape Attempts
While there are no specific records of notable escape attempts from the prisons of war in Edinburgh Castle, the castle has a long history of military use and has held various prisoners throughout the centuries, including Covenanters and Jacobite rebels.
Prisoners Held in the Vaults of Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has held a variety of prisoners over the centuries, including:
- Covenanters: Scottish Presbyterians who opposed the restoration of episcopacy in Scotland during the 17th century.
- Jacobite Rebels: Supporters of the restoration of the Stuart dynasty to the British throne, who were involved in several uprisings against the British government.
- War Prisoners: Prisoners of war from various conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars and World War I.
References
- https://www.visitscotland.com/info/tours/city-of-the-dead-haunted-graveyard-tour-84d3cebc
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186525-d523114-r160542140-City_of_the_Dead_Tours-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
- https://www.cityofthedeadtours.com/double-dead-tour.html
- https://www.cityofthedeadtours.com/book.html
- https://www.visitscotland.com/info/tours/the-double-dead-tour-d864e9bc
- Edinburgh Castle. (n.d.). History. Retrieved from https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/visit/history.