If you're a believer in "ghosts" or even have some suspicions that they exist, then Mercat's Haunted Underground Experience is the perfect tour. For only £8.50, you get the unique experience of going beneath the South Bridge through a private entrance into the vaults and hearing your guide tell you all the particulars about life in past centuries. In all honesty, our guide made this experience what it was for us. She was fascinating, believable, and honest about the fact that she had her own doubts about whether there were such things as "ghosts." So what she did was simply present the information as she had witnessed and heard it and allowed us to form our own opinions. The result of her method was that I was more scared than I think I would have been if she'd just told a bunch of random ghost stories. In any case, I don't think the tour is for the weak at heart or for children who would become easily frightened. Don't get me wrong...there was no one jumping out in costumes or strange screaming in the background. The atmosphere alone was enough to leave me a bit shaken. It's creepy! The only light is from a few stray candles, which do have a tendency to flicker and actually go out. Plus, it's cold, dank, and you feel instantly confined as soon as you begin descending the steps.

I think this tour is good not only for people who want a bit of a ghost "experience", but also for those who have a historical interest in the vaults or Scottish history. Edinburgh is, as they say, the most haunted city in the world, and our tour guide did a fabulous job telling stories about the people who lived here long before we did.

One more thing...

Not sure if she's still there, but if you DO decide to take this trip into the vaults (and I strongly recommend that you do make it part of your Edinburgh experience), then request ANN as your guide! She's awesome!

One more thing (sorry, these things just keep coming to me)...they have Halloween tours as well. One even allows you to stay 6 hours overnight in the vaults. Tempting, but no!