The dark and damp Edinburgh Vaults are full of mystery and interesting elements.
From ghost sightings and witchcraft chambers to torture exhibitions, there is a lot to see inside these 120 chambers.
In this article, get a peek into what you can expect to see on your visit to the Edinburgh Vaults.
1. Torture Exhibition
On some tours of the Edinburgh Vaults, you get a chance to see the Torture Exhibition.
In a room just before you enter the Vaults is a display of torture devices.
These were used by the people who lived and committed crimes in the vaults.
Devices like rat torches, chain whips, flesh tongs, jaw breakers, thumbscrew, chastity belts, scold’s bridles and much more are displayed on the wall.
Most of these devices are original, while some are replicas.
Your expert guide will take you through the display and tell you everything about these devices.
Tours with Torture Exhibition
Edinburgh Vaults Guided Tour
Edinburgh Vaults Night Tour
2. Source Coven of the Blue Dragon
As you enter the vaults, you’ll see a real witchcraft chamber that “white witches” used up until 2014.
After the high priest died in 2014, the chamber was preserved like a time capsule for the visitors.
The high priest conducted the first legal pagan wedding in the chambers in 2004 and many weddings afterward.
You can spot elements like the chalice, wands, incense sticks, pestle and mortar, the blue dragon on the wall and other things used by the witches.
3. Stone Circle
The chamber with the famous stone circle was the former temple of the Blue Dragon witches.
The high priest George initially leased out this chamber and created the stone circle to practice witchcraft.
However, he and the witches always felt the presence of evil spirits in this chamber.
They would sometimes have marks, scratches and burns while leaving at the end of the day.
After a threatening encounter with the spirit one night, he left this chamber and moved to the first chamber.
Multiple people have felt the presence of ghosts in and around this chamber.
4. Storage and Workshops
Initially, merchants and businessmen used these vaults as shops, storage spaces and workshops.
The vaults were busy with trade in the initial days.
However, soon, they became damp due to poor water treatment, which ruined the stock of the shops and therefore, the merchants left.
You can see the chambers where these shops were on your guided tour.
There are multiple tours available for Edinburgh Vaults. We’ve curated a handpicked list to help you find the best ghost tour in Edinburgh Vaults. Book now!
5. Chambers for Illegal Activities
As soon as the merchants left, the Edinburgh Vaults became the hub for crime and disease.
Thefts, murders, and robberies became very common because these vaults offered a hidden space.
Apart from rogue theft, there were many illegal businesses in them.
Brothels and illegal breweries and taverns, drug and gambling dens, dogfighting pits and hellfire clubs— the vaults were home to it all.
Your tour guide will share the stories associated with these chambers.
6. Mr Boots Edinburgh Vaults
The watcher of the Edinburgh Vaults, or Mr. Boots, as some people call him, is the ghost that still haunts the vaults.
Mr. Boots used to be the watchman of the vaults when the merchants inhabited them.
It is believed that he committed suicide after losing his job and now is a ghost watchman of the vaults.
There have been multiple sightings of Mr. Boots, and people have even captured his images.
He is often spotted in a black cloak and wearing long black leather boots.
He will often stare at the visitors, breathe heavily near them or guide them towards the doorway with a nudge.
If you’re lucky, you might encounter Mr. Boots, so remember to carry a camera on your tour.
FAQs
1. Do I need to book a ticket for Edinburgh Vaults?
Yes, you need to book a guided tour to visit the Edinburgh Vaults. We recommend booking a tour online in advance to secure your spot.
2. What is the Stone Circle in Edinburgh Vaults?
The Stone Circle is in one of the chambers of the Edinburgh Vaults. The circle was created by a priest and was used for performing witchcraft within the vaults.
3. Are the Edinburgh Vaults haunted?
Many people have reported instances of spotting spirits in the vaults. People have heard the sounds of footsteps, the rattling of keys, the moving of barrels and much more in the vaults. It is a hub of paranormal activity.
4. Who is the watcher of Edinburgh Vaults?
The watcher, or Mr. Boots, as some people call him, is the ghost of the watchman who still haunts the Edinburgh Vaults. Multiple visitors have spotted and identified him by a long black cloak and black boots.
5. Do I need a ticket for the Torture Exhibition at Edinburgh Vaults?
Yes, you need to book a tour that includes the Torture exhibition if you want to check out the exhibition. You will get to see the torture devices used by the people living in the vaults.
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