Underground Edinburgh
Some of the most fascinating attractions of Edinburgh are right under your very feet. As you tread the ancient Royal Mile - with its myriad of churches, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants - you could be forgiven for not realising the wealth of history and mystery underground.
After 1780 Edinburgh spread out from the crowded Royal Mile across the valley to the south, carried by the huge South Bridge. Almost immediately the bridge was built against and as its 19 enormous arches were closed off a honeycomb of underground chambers were created. A community of traders, immigrants and the homeless thrived in this underground environment, but soon enough criminals, black market trade, prostitution, the murderous and depraved soon infiltrated this troglodyte society.
By the 1830s the underground vaults were abandoned along with their unsavoury reminder of the dark side of humanity and before long the people of Edinburgh forgot they even existed... until the mid 1980s when they were found, almost by accident. Their potential for tourism was realised and the vaults were once again opened to the public in 1994, becoming a popular focus for guided tours.
Fans of Most Haunted will perhaps remember the team’s experiences in the 18th century Blair St Vaults. These dark, claustrophobic and atmospheric caverns are by far the most impressive of the vaults. You enter through a nondescript and unimpressive doorway halfway down the hill where Blair Street rests. After descending into the catacombs the guide takes you through the history and paranormal reports of every major section, including recorded experiences of past tourists, their own personal impressions, tales of murder, body snatchers and Satanists, and the findings of The Edinburgh Ghost Project 2001.
On my first visit I waited to take photos at the end of the tour and chillingly realised I had been left behind. Bounding up the stairs to the exit I was relieved to hear heavy footsteps behind me. I halted to wait for the tourist, but no one came. Making a hasty exit I thought no more of it until downloading my pictures: there on the last photo was a flash of light or smudge turning the corner onto the corridor. Is it just a speck of moisture, a reflection, or a glimpse of whatever stalks the Vaults? Have a look at the photograph above and see what you think.
Tours of the Blair Street vaults can be arranged through Mercat Tours. They also offer additional trips around other haunted locations with part of the tour in the vaults. For the very brave (or stupid) you can even book all night vigils underground. Booking is not compulsory but recommended as there is a limit to the party size.
For more information: www.mercattours.com
