Greyfriars Kirkyard After Dark

Enter Scotland's most actively haunted cemetery after dark for a tour focused on documented paranormal incidents. Greyfriars Kirkyard has recorded more visitor reports of physical contact - scratching, pushing, being touched - than any other location in Edinburgh. City of the Dead Tours guides visitors through the graveyard where poltergeist activity was so severe that a paranormal investigator's team was hired in the 2000s. Historical graves date to 1561, but the supernatural activity remains the primary draw. Best for cemetery and paranormal fans. This is a easy activity lasting 1.25 hours. Group size: 2-50. You meet at Greyfriars Kirkyard entrance, Candlemaker Row. Key highlights: Graveyard in continuous use since 1561 with 5,000+ burials, Multiple documented cases of visitors being physically scratched by invisible presence, Poltergeist activity validated by professional paranormal investigator studies.

Price: £14

Duration: 1.25 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 2-50

Minimum age: 10+

Best for: cemetery and paranormal fans

Best time: October to March for earlier darkness (tours start 6-7pm). Winter months intensify the paranormal atmosphere. Avoid wet, icy conditions for safety.

Meeting point: Greyfriars Kirkyard entrance, Candlemaker Row

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

Meeting Assemble at Greyfriars Kirkyard entrance on Candlemaker Row - Guide provides historical overview and safety briefing before entering the cemetery after dusk.

First 15 min Walk through historic graves dating back 450+ years - Visit tomb of Sir Adam Forester and graves of plague victims, establishing the historical weight of the location.

15-45 min Visit sites of documented paranormal incidents - Stand in areas where multiple visitors report being scratched, pushed, or touched by unseen forces.

45-70 min Group paranormal investigation period - Lights are dimmed or turned off. Guide recounts specific incidents and listens for unexplained sounds.

70-75 min Return to entrance and discussion - Tour concludes with Q&A about what participants experienced and theories about the activity.

The whole experience takes 1.25 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Greyfriars Kirkyard entrance, Candlemaker Row.

• Graveyard in continuous use since 1561 with 5,000+ burials
• Multiple documented cases of visitors being physically scratched by invisible presence
• Poltergeist activity validated by professional paranormal investigator studies
• Tour occurs in actual darkness (after dusk) for full distinctive effect
• Small group sizes allow for personalised paranormal investigation
• Accessibility: Cemetery terrain is uneven and hilly with multiple stone steps. Not wheelchair accessible. Requires moderate fitness. Warns of low-hanging branches in darkness. Those uncomfortable with darkness or enclosed spaces should reconsider.

What is included: 1.25-hour guided cemetery tour, Historical and paranormal commentary, After-dark access to graveyard.

Not included: Paranormal investigation equipment rental, Refreshments, Hotel transportation. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Torch or headlamp (graveyard has minimal lighting), Warm, dark clothing (blends in, easier for nighttime visibility), Comfortable shoes for uneven ground, Tolerance for standing in darkness. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: October to March for earlier darkness (tours start 6-7pm). Winter months intensify the paranormal atmosphere. Avoid wet, icy conditions for safety..

Tip: Actual reports of visitors being scratched or pushed

Tip: Weather-dependent tour

Accessibility: Cemetery terrain is uneven and hilly with multiple stone steps. Not wheelchair accessible. Requires moderate fitness. Warns of low-hanging branches in darkness. Those uncomfortable with darkness or enclosed spaces should reconsider..

Operator: City of the Dead Tours | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 131 225 9044

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Edinburgh Castle (8 min walk)
• National Museum of Scotland (7 min walk)
• Royal Mile (5 min walk)

This activity is run by City of the Dead Tours.

Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before tour. Tours proceed rain or shine..

Accessibility: Cemetery terrain is uneven and hilly with multiple stone steps. Not wheelchair accessible. Requires moderate fitness. Warns of low-hanging branches in darkness. Those uncomfortable with darkness or enclosed spaces should reconsider..

Best time to go: October to March for earlier darkness (tours start 6-7pm). Winter months intensify the paranormal atmosphere. Avoid wet, icy conditions for safety..

Have people actually been scratched at Greyfriars Kirkyard?

Yes. Multiple documented cases report visitors being scratched, some with visible marks lasting hours. A paranormal investigation team studied the kirkyard in the 2000s and confirmed physical contact phenomena. City of the Dead Tours provides specific incident accounts. Sceptical explanations (briars, insects) don't account for reports of scratches appearing through fabric or from invisible contact.

Is the tour safe in the dark?

Guides use torches and maintain visibility throughout. The graveyard is well-established and frequently visited, so paths are known. However, uneven ground and steps pose trip hazards. Groups stay together. Bring your own torch for safety. Tours are cancelled only in severe weather, not rain.

What caused the paranormal activity at Greyfriars Kirkyard?

The kirkyard was at the centre of the 1679 Covenanter persecution, where 1,200+ people were imprisoned in the courtyard and 40+ died in squalor. Many bodies were buried without proper ceremony. Local theory suggests suffering and unresolved trauma created the poltergeist activity. The graveyard's oldest tombs (1561+) show no activity, while 17th-century areas report the most incidents.