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The Historic Vaults

75 minute walking tour from £7.50

Today Edinburgh’s South Bridge is a modern, bustling thoroughfare. You would never know of its dark and mysterious secrets until you join this tour which explores the subterranean world beneath our feet. In the company of our expert guide you will walk through a network of underground chambers where once an illegal community flourished out of sight and out of reach of the law!

…. If walls could talk, these are the stories they would tell!

A great bridge is built spanning a deep valley to the south of the Royal Mile. Under its 19 enormous arches, in a catacomb of underground chambers, a community begins to thrive. Trades, first legal and then illicit, flourish – and in these hard times there is nothing that cannot be bought or sold for a purse of gold! …. Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

Descend into the underground vaults. Experience the environment in which people lived and worked. Find out why the grain (whisky) displaced the grape (wine). Reflect on how the physical separation of the upper and middle classes from the poor impacted on the Old Town of Edinburgh and learn why corpses were stored here.

The underground vaults were created in the late 18^th century, abandoned by the 1830s – and only opened again to the public since 1994. The labyrinth of corridors and chambers you visit remain unchanged from two hundred years ago. Visit this unique attraction and capture a very special moment in the evolution of this city.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Dates of Operation:

Tour operates daily, except 24, 25 & 26 December

Departure Information:

1 October, 2009 to 31 March, 2010

Tour departs at 16:00 hrs

1 April to 30 September 2010

Tour departs at 12:00 hrs, 14:00 hrs and 16:00 hrs

From Mercat Cross, St Giles Cathedral, High Street, Edinburgh

Tour ends at Blair Street approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes after starting

PRICES:

Adult: £7.50

Concession: £6.50 [what's this - click]

Child: £4.00 [what’s this – click]

TOUR INCLUDES

75 minutes Walking tour
Admission to the South Bridge vaults
Expert English speaking guide

TOUR EXCLUDES

Gratuity to guide

TOUR OPERATOR

Tour operator identity and full contact information will appear on your confirmation voucher.

VOUCHER INFORMATION

Once you have booked your tour please print your voucher.
You must present your voucher and photo ID to the guide.
Please safeguard your voucher as it cannot be replaced if you lose it.