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Monday 12pm - 10pm Tuesday 12pm - 10pm Wednesday 12pm - 10pm Thursday 12pm - 10pm Friday 12pm - 10pm Saturday 12pm - 10pm Sunday 12pm - 10pm

Mercat Tours

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Mercat Tours

'History is a damn good story, what it needs is a damn good telling' - and Mercat does! Local, indep
(1480)

'𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 '

𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙣! �
Enjoy immersive storytelling experiences as you explore Edinburgh's Old Town.

𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩 �
You'll have a deep connection with the people and places of the past and build remarkable memories of Scotland's ancient and beautiful capital.

𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪, 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 �
Choosing us, a local, independent family

business and Living Wage employer, means you support an ethical 'Good to Go' team rooted in our local community since 1985. We respect and support like-minded people to ensure everyone's experience of Edinburgh is the very best it can be.

20/12/2024

Did you know that A Christmas Carol was inspired by a graveyard in Edinburgh?

It’s said that while on a trip to Edinburgh, Charles Dickens took a walk through Canongate Kirkyard and ran across the grave of one Ebenezer Scroggie, described as a ‘mean man.’

As it turns out, the grave actually said ‘meal man,’ since Scroggie worked with grain, and Dickens had simply misread it.

But it is said that in that mistake, the character of Ebenezer Scrooge was born—because one has to wonder what would you have to do in life to be described as mean on your own gravestone?

Whether the story is true or not is always up for question, but it feels appropriate that a book about ghosts was inspired by a graveyard.

Explore the ghosts of Edinburgh past and present with us. 👉 https://ow.ly/WuZb50UlAeo

19/12/2024

Up the close and doon the stair,
But and ben' wi' Burke and Hare.
Burke's the butcher, Hare's the thief,
Knox the boy that buys the beef.

162 years ago, Dr Robert Knox passed away, decades after he was embroiled in a scandal with the notorious Burke and Hare.

Here, the death mask of Burke and life mask of Hare can be seen on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

16/12/2024

The weather outside is frightful, but the...candles are so delightful? 🕯️

The fireplaces might not work anymore, but you can still thaw out in the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Join us for an underground tour and warm up from the frosty weather outside.

13/12/2024

Places to visit in Edinburgh this winter! ❄️

🎄Edinburgh Christmas Market
It’s a beloved tourist destination (and the crowds show it). But don’t worry, we have some options off the beaten track as well!

🕯️Blair Street Underground Vaults
Escape the crowds and the frosty temperatures and descend into Edinburgh’s underworld. These corridors and rooms are situated underground in the heart of Edinburgh and are home to some...interesting history and ghost stories.

🦅Gladstone’s Land
Explore 400 years of history at Gladstone's Land NTS. You can do a guided or self-guided tour or join them for special events and lectures throughout the season.

🪦Canongate Kirkyard
Admire the city’s winter lights and visit the graveyard that supposedly inspired Charles Dickens—all while on an Edinburgh ghost tour. Ghosts may not seem like the cosiest of winter topics, but hey, if A Christmas Carol can have them then so can we!

Explore Edinburgh’s winter ghosts.👉 https://ow.ly/wA9a50UjQHo

12/12/2024

Your one-stop shop for all your Christmas gift needs! 🎁

Swing by to find the perfect present, whether it’s a handmade Christmas pudding ornament or a book that features our very own Blair Street Underground Vaults.

You’ll also be able to find candles made from the remnants of those burned in the vaults, whisky glasses, hoodies and more. Perfect for the ghost lover, the history lover and the Edinburgh lover!
👉28 Blair Street, EH1 1QR; open 12:00 - 22:00

11/12/2024

🎄 Tired of the same old company holiday party? Step into the past instead!

Whether it's ghostly tales or historic treasures, our tours offer a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season. It’s team building with a twist. ❄️🕯️

Enquire here. https://ow.ly/a5Pp50Up9lf

10/12/2024

Off the tell The Watcher that he’s a celebrity now. 🎩

We’ve been reading through all your comments on the newest Ghost Files episode, featuring our very own Blair Street Underground Vaults. It's wonderful hearing from both past visitors and those who’ve never been before.

Thank you to Shane, Ryan and the entire Watcher crew for visiting us back in April. We loved having you! 👻

[ID: 4 photos of the Blair Street Underground Vaults in Edinburgh, lit by candles, overlaid by comments from Watcher’s ‘Ghost Files’ episode in the vault. End description]

07/12/2024

We had to keep this secret for so long. 🤭

Back in April, we welcomed beloved ghoul boys Ryan Bergara & Shane Madej into the Blair Street Underground Vaults.

Enough former visitors suggested us over the years that they came to the Edinburgh vaults for their first ever international ghost hunt. 👻

And now that episode has finally hit YouTube, we can share some of the behind the scenes!

02/12/2024

We’re proud to be a Real Living Wage employer! 💪✨

‘The Living Wage Scotland movement binds a powerful and growing group of like-minded businesses who believe in positive activism and business for good.’
– Kat Brogan, Mercat Managing Director

[ID: three Mercat Storytellers hold candles in the Blair Street Underground Vaults. A blue, green, yellow and orange icon in the top right corner reads 'We are a Real Living Wage Employer. End description] Living Wage UK

30/11/2024

Happy St Andrew’s Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Scotland’s national day kicks off our winter celebrations, which also include Hogmanay and Burns Night.

You might see more of the Scottish flag (known as the Saltire or Saint Andrew’s Cross) today!

[ID: 1: a Mercat Storyteller leading three visitors on an Edinburgh history tour, pointing out a plaque about Mary, Queen of Scots; 2: the Scottish Saltire flag flies above the roofline of the Edinburgh Royal Mile. End description]

28/11/2024

Huge congratulations to Kat Brogan, Mercat’s Managing Director, on her Silver Thistle Award at this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards! 🏆 🥳

In the words of VisitScotland, Kat’s ‘contributions have been pivotal in setting a new standard of excellence for Scotland’s tourism sector.’

She has been a driving force behind Mercat's commitment to sustainable and ethical tourism. From ensuring Living Wage to securing B Corp certification, she's always looking for ways Mercat can improve for everyone: our team, our visitors, our community.

It’s no secret that Kat’s commitment to excellence stems from her love of the ever-dynamic tourism industry.

She says that ‘tourism is the most nurturing and encouraging place to build a career. It's blind to your age, accent, background, grades — it only sees you and the power of who you can be.’

Congratulations, Kat, and to the rest of last week’s nominees & winners! 🌟

[ID: 1: Kat Brogan standing in front of a backdrop with the logos of the Scottish Thistle Awards sponsors, holding the crystal bowl-shaped Silver Thistle Award; 2: Kat Brogan posing and 4 other people in black tie posing with the Silver Thistle Award. End description] Tourism Cares Visit Edinburgh Scottish Tourism Alliance

27/11/2024

Take a seat and admire centuries-old artefacts.🏺

We have seating available in our Discovery Room and Reception area to give you the chance to rest after your walking tour. 🚶‍♀️

Further information on accessibility can be found on our website. ✨ https://ow.ly/YQjX50UfGh4

[Image description: a room with benches in the middle around a barrel and museum displays about the Edinburgh vaults around the perimeter, including a sedan chair and interactive model. End description]

26/11/2024

We’ve teamed up with Forever Edinburgh to offer a special free tour to Edinburgh residents in honour of St Andrew’s Day this weekend! 🦄

It sold out almost instantly, but don’t worry! If you missed out on the free tour, you can enjoy our Resident Rate instead!

Local residents with an EH postcode can still take advantage of our special concession rate. Receive £2.00 off all adult tickets for any of our tours.

Simply book on our website and use the promo code ForeverEHResidents in the promo box at checkout. 👉https://ow.ly/2nAS50UfFuJ

We can’t wait to welcome you on tour. 🧡

23/11/2024

Happy from us, Adam Smith’s Dalek and an old Tardis!

Okay, that Dalek is actually a beehive topped by a globe—symbols of industry and progress.

And the ‘Tardis’ was our former display at the Mercat Cross, which we had to dip into the archive to find a photo of. It’s not there anymore, but it’s been replaced by something even better: real people!

Visit us at the Mercat Cross every afternoon, and admire the father of economics while you’re at it.

[Image descriptions: 1: a patina bronze statue of a man in academia robes, standing with a hand resting on a globe; 2: a black structure with a domed top detailing history and ghost tours of Edinburgh, City Chambers in the background. End description]

22/11/2024

Outlander season 7 part 2 returns this week!

To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of several Edinburgh locations featured in (or connected to) the show that you can visit any time.

‼️spoiler alert‼️If you haven’t finished season 3 yet, save this and return to it later!

Our top suggestions are:
🕯️ Tweeddale Court
📖 Bakehouse Close
📚 Signet Library
🦄 Holyrood Palace
🏰 Edinburgh Castle

Learn about each location and what was filmed there in our latest blog. ✨ https://ow.ly/nVxE50Ub040

[Image descriptions: photos of each of the locations mentioned in the caption, compared to screengrabs of their appearance in the show Outlander. End description]

19/11/2024

Happy Book Week Scotland! 📚

Celebrate with Scottish Book Trust events and then round off your week with a book talk on Edinburgh Hauntings & Heritage! 👻

Join us this Saturday as we sit down with authors Alex Howard and Lucy Ribchester to discuss how literature captures the dark side of Edinburgh’s history, from the past to the paranormal.

The evening is sure to be extraordinary. After all, there's no better place to hear about the hauntings and heritage of Edinburgh, than directly above the Blair Street Underground Vaults…

Only a few spots remaining, so grab a ticket while you still can! ✨ https://ow.ly/skif50U94LB

[Image description: 1: Murder Ballad by Lucy Ribchester and The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard, surrounded by autumnal decor like candles, brass decorations and autumn leaves and pinecones; 2: Portraits of Lucy Ribchester and Alex Howard, and the covers of the books Murder Ballad and The Ghost Cat. End description]

17/11/2024

Don’t miss Edinburgh’s winter lights switch on! ❄️

Over the next few days, Edinburgh will be switching on its winter lights, from the snowflakes over Cockburn Street to the Christmas tree on the Mound.

Join us at the Mercat Cross to admire the sights as the nights grown longer. 🕯️

[Image descriptions: 1: snowflake lights crisscross over Cockburn Street in Edinburgh at night; 2: winter lights decorate the front of Edinburgh’s The Dome on George Street. End description]

16/11/2024

🥳 We’re delighted to share that our very own Jonathon, Mercat Visitor Experience Manager, has been awarded ASVA’s Sustainability Champion award! 🥳

Swipe 👉 to see just how happy the team was to celebrate him at ASVA’s annual conference on Thursday.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Mercat Deal. Find out what we’re doing to protect the environment and promote sustainable tourism here: https://ow.ly/F97A50U7Xkr

Address

28 Blair Street
Edinburgh
EH11QR

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 10pm
Tuesday	12pm - 10pm
Wednesday	12pm - 10pm
Thursday	12pm - 10pm
Friday	12pm - 10pm
Saturday	12pm - 10pm
Sunday	12pm - 10pm

Telephone

+441312255445

Website

http://www.mercattours.com/

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A passion for the past

We’re the original, largest, & only 5 star walking tour company in Scotland. For over 32 years, our award-winning history & ghost tours share the tales of the Edinburgh's past. For us - it’s all about telling the fascinating stories of Edinburgh’s people with passion, humour & flair.