What is the atmosphere/temperature like in the Blair Street Underground Vaults?
The air is still and warm year round in the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The temperature doesn't fluctuate with the season so it can feel warm in winter and cooler in summer, compared to outside.
How many steps are there down to the Blair Street Underground Vaults?
There are 3 flights of stairs with a total of 28 steps. There is a handrail.
Why can't I book 6 or more tickets?
Groups of six or more are usually best suited to a private tour. For this reason, groups of this size cannot book via the website and should call our office on 0131 225 5445 or email info@mercattours.com to book.
Our Support Team will assist in booking you onto the tour of your choice, or your own private one.
Do you do tours in other languages?
All of our regularly timetabled tours are in English. Unfortunately we cannot offer tours in any other languages at this time.
Are there any storage facilities on site?
There are no storage facilities on site for luggage, prams or any other large items.
Need to store luggage? No problem, an Unbaggaged driver is waiting to help! Book pick up and storage: Home | Unbaggaged
Can I take my dog or pet on the tour?
Due to the nature of the vaults we are able to welcome registered guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs and medical detection dogs. Our support team will require proof of registration on arrival. The area is not suitable for emotional support animals.
A link to our accessibility page can be found here.
Do I have to book to go on the tour?
We have limited tickets to ensure the best small group experience. Make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Book in advance to:
• guarantee your place on the tour of your choice
• get the best ticket price, only available on our website
• receive your special returner’s discount of £2 off your next tour
You can book here on our website, over the phone at 0131 225 5445 or in person from the Mercat Cross (our starting point).
Do I have to do a lot of walking on the tour?
No, the distances are not great on our historical walking tours or our underground ghost tours. However we would recommend you wear sensible shoes because the ground underfoot can be uneven and occasionally steep - medieval Edinburgh wasn't built for comfort!
Will my tour run in the rain/snow/sleet?
Hail, rain, wind or snow: your storyteller will always be there, at the Mercat Cross, to greet you. Your storyteller is very skilled at finding shelter from the elements, but do dress for the cold (hat/gloves) especially in the evenings and in winter. Any weather emergencies will always be updated here on our website (which have only happened once in Edinburgh!).
Will I be scared on the ghost tour (or any tour in the Blair Street Vaults?)
Sorry: no guarantees! - what some people find scary doesn't scare others at all.
What we do guarantee is that we choose our tales, craft them into engaging and enthralling stories and use all our skills as storytellers to bring a tingle to your neck. We never use fake scares and no one will ever jump out on you.
Where does the tour start?
All tours start at the Mercat Cross, an octagonal stone monument on the Royal Mile, opposite the City Chambers. You can find it using postcode EH1 1RF.
Will the guide be in costume or uniform?
We have a strict dress code for all our team. Our history walk storytellers wear smart, dark clothing: our ghost tour storytellers wear distinctive cloaks, but no 'costume'. All our team wear their Mercat Tours badge so can find and trust them!
Do you limit the group size?
Yes, we do limit numbers to ensure that all visitors can see, hear and enjoy a 5 star experience!
Listening to our visitor's feedback, we have reduced our capacity on all tours to 18 people to give a better experience. Occasionally we may limit these numbers further depending on the content of the tour.
Are the tours suitable for people with disabilities?
Firstly, all essential carers are very welcome on tour as our guests, free of charge.
You can also view our complete tour accessibility information and videos on our dedicated webpage.
Our tour guides have successfully led wheelchair users on the Secrets of the Royal Mile tour. Our other public tours are not suitable for people with per-ambulatory difficulties as they include the Underground Vaults which are accessed down a winding staircase and where flooring is the original, uneven earth and rock.
We can provide a hearing loop and short written synopses for those with hearing difficulties (please alert us beforehand that you are coming) and guides have worked well alongside interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) users.
Those with visual needs would need to be accompanied during the tour. We believe the skill of our guides as storytellers and the craft with which they use their voices to create atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience for those totally dependent on listening.
Can my children under 5 come on a walking tour?
For health and safety reasons we're unable to allow children under 5 years of age on any tour; history walks or ghost tours.
Why are children not recommended to go on the Doomed, Dead and Buried and Hidden and Haunted tours?
Honestly? - because the grown-ups asked for a tour to themselves. We have expressly reserved our most graphic stories for these late tours. This also allows the guide to 'pull out all the stops' to make the tour as atmospheric as possible when no children are present.
Can I take photos?
Photography for personal enjoyment is encouraged on all our tours - and we'd love to see them! Please share on social and tag us @mercattours. We know you’ll have a wonderful experience you want to capture. We do have a few guidelines we ask all our visitors to follow to help everyone have the best experience possible. Our photo policy helps all visitors be considerate to others on the tour and to your guide. Don't use flash photography in our vaults and tripods are not practical.
Are there toilets during your walking tour?
Yes, we have a public toilet at the Blair Street premises, please note there is 1 step to access. There are several coffee shops, restaurants and bars very near the tour meeting point where you can use this facility before your tour begins.
We recommend taking a comfort stop before you start your tour.
What happens if I am late for the beginning of my history walk or ghost tour?
If you are late by a few minutes, you can join the tour easily, our team at the Mercat Cross will help. If you are delayed by more than 15 minutes, it won't be possible for you to join your Edinburgh tour, as you will have missed too much of the experience and disrupt the tour for others.
Please remember your tickets are non-refundable and not transferable within 24hrs of your tour.
Do you have lifts in the Blair Street Underground Vaults?
Due to the historic nature of the site, there are no lifts. To help, you'll find videos about the Blair Street Underground Vaults on our youtube channel.
If we have had a few drinks before the tour will we be allowed to access the tour?
The Health and Safety of our visitors and team is priority therefore we operate a strict policy regarding alcohol and drugs. If we deem anyone over the limit then we refuse entry.
Where does my tour finish?
Many of our tours will end at 28 Blair Street with the exception of Secrets of the Royal Mile, Treasures of the Old Town and Doomed, Dead and Buried.
The end of our history walking tours will depend on the tour. You may finish at Edinburgh Castle, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Museum of Scotland or at our Blair Street Underground Vaults. All of our walking tour pages include a map of their start and finish point.
Can I just turn up and pay cash before the tour?
Small groups means tickets are limited so we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. We may have tickets available at the Mercat Cross and we accept card payments, dependent on availability.
What happens if the number for my group tour changes?
We assume the number in your group is the number you originally negotiated unless you contact us to make a change.
If the number in your group changes, you must notify us 7 days in advance. If you fail to do this you are liable for the original amount stated in the contract.
Sometimes some of your friends/colleagues may ask to join the group at the last minute. It is really important you let us know if the increase in numbers is going to generate the need for an additional Storyteller. We wish your group to have a quality, enjoyable experience.
When is my private booking confirmed?
Your private tour is confirmed when we receive back your signed contract and your payment, due at least 7 days before your tour.
What are the payment arrangements for private tours?
The full amount must be paid at least 7 days in advance of the tour. You can pay by credit card or BACS, by telephone.
Can I be invoiced after my private group tour?
Payment is due 7 days before your tour, we don't offer credit.
What do I do if I want to cancel my private booking?
Contact us by email, though we're sorry you'll miss out on your tour! If you cancel 7 days or more before the tour we're happy to issue a refund.
What happens if we turn up late for our private group tour?
The telephone number of the Mercat Tours office is 0131 225 5445. Our office accepts phone calls until 10pm. Please use it to alert us if you are delayed.
If you are late we reserve the right to shorten your walking tour. This can be necessary, especially if your ghost tour includes a visit to the Vaults, as it's likely other tours are timetabled to visit. Your Storyteller may also have another upcoming tour to guide.
If you have not appeared 30 minutes after the start time of your walking tour and you have not contacted us, your tour will be cancelled.
Can I cancel my tickets and get a refund?
You're welcome to transfer or cancel your tickets up to 24hrs before your tour for a full refund. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable within 24hrs of the tour.
