The Ghosts of the Edinburgh Vaults: Exploring the Supernatural under the streets of the capital

Step into the shadows of Edinburgh's hidden past as we journey into the haunted realms of the Edinburgh Vaults.
Join us as we delve deep beneath the city's bustling streets to uncover the chilling tales and ghostly encounters that lurk within these forgotten chambers.
In this episode, we learn about the notorious murderers Burke and Hare, who, possibly aided by their wives (Helen McDougal and Margaret Hare) murdered 16 people over a 10 month spell. We also explore the dark history and paranormal activity that shrouds the Edinburgh Vaults.
From sinister spectres to eerie apparitions, we recount spine-tingling accounts of ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena witnessed by those brave enough to venture into these ancient passageways.
Discover the stories of infamous characters like Mr. Boots and delve into the legends surrounding Burke and Hare's alleged connection to these eerie underground chambers.
#eerieedinburgh #edinburghvaults #hauntedscotland #hauntededinburgh #ghosts #trueghoststory #paranormal #supernatural #apparition #spookyscotland #scotland #scottishhistory #mrboots #edinburghunderground #burkeandhare #edinburgh #edinburghistory

[@ShaunUnderwoodx]

Just what the paranormal doctor ordered (eerie Edinburgh) your one stop shop for everything paranormal story... I just recently binged watched all of your compilation last month. it's a great channel. Absolutely love it 10 out of 10

[@noreenclark2568]

My sister booked myself , my niece, and herself to visit the vaults for my birthday one year. While it was interesting it wasn't spooky. We went in an area on the left of St Giles cathedral down some steps into the vaults . Id like to do the other parts of the vaults that has Mr Boots doing his rounds to see if i can pick up on the atmospheric pressure there.

[@scottw.3258]

I done the Niddrie Street Vaults 10-12 years ago. I have to say, i've rarely felt so calm and relaxed. It was a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere down there. All around me people were claiming to have felt things, or seen things. I truly believe that in places like that, people are psychologically affected. They've heard the stories, they're down there in the dark, they then imagine things which simply aren't there. I'm a firm believer in the supernatural. I've had many experiences throughout my life, from when i was a wee boy of 3 or 4 right into adult life, so i'm not sceptic in any way. I just believe some places which are alleged to be haunted, aren't haunted. People want them to be and so, for them, they are haunted. They make them haunted.

[@nikbull1258]

Although I am subscribed you don’t pop up on my face page so every now and then I go hunting for you. I don’t use alerts as I live in NZ which is in the opposite time zone to the northern hemisphere which is where 99% of my subscriptions are based. What a treat to find 3 videos waiting for me. Love your work.

[@debbieulrich5645]

Thank you for another awesome story

[@EbenezerScrooge1843]

Very much appreciated. Being Scottish, I have always loved the old stories from Edinburgh and her vaults.

[@joannakirkwood4970]

Been on a Mercat tour with my husband, a good few years ago. Scared me, Mr Boots 👢 made himself known, not seen but felt, dark and overbearing. I could not imagine having to live there, it must've been terrifying 😢. Enthralled again Mr Eerie, this brought back memories for me. Wonderfully done. I hope that you are feeling somewhat better in yourself. You have outdone yourself again ❤❤

[@Little_Sidhe]

I saw Mr Boots back in the early 2000s. It was utterly chilling.

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

Your voice and your channel are amazing. Absolutely love you! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

[@eerieedinburgh]

Aww, Kelly 😊 thank you!

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

@@eerieedinburgh 😊

[@unikkorns]

Been down the Vaults a few times. Last time I was down (in July '23) they turned off all the lights and we were standing in there in the pitch black. Crazy to think people lived and worked down there centuries ago. But about 10 years ago I was on a tour with my sister and now brother-in-law and our group was standing shoulder to shoulder in a room (I believe it might have been the Carpenter's room or near there?) and we were all facing the guide who was talking to us. I was on the end of the line on the left side, and my sister and BIL were to my right with the rest of the tour group to the right of them. So there was nobody (living) to my left that I was aware of. I had my clutch purse attached to my coat so I could focus on my camera. All of the sudden I felt a tug on it on my left side and I looked around thinking someone was pranking me. Maybe it was my sister, BIL, or someone who works for the tour company but I saw and heard nobody. No footsteps, no gimmicky tour shenanigans with someone in costume. Done a couple tours with that tour company and never recalled them being known for shenanigans like that. So maybe it was Jack, the wee ghost boy.

[@ruthmckay9086]

... Shudder... Rather you than me, mate! (Btw, it's 'All of A* sudden' - I do apologise, but it's my priority peeve!)

[@alexwilliamson1486]

Welcome back! My niece worked for Mercat tours for a few years, she was shoved/pushed on one of the tours whilst talking to the customers, witnessed by a few. She was quite shaken up by it all, but stayed on for a good while longer! Me? I would’ve bailed!😂

[@eerieedinburgh]

Oh same! 😬

[@leonaheraty3760]

How scary! She is very brave! 😊

[@helenbunnehmummeh5154]

These videos are so expertly done. I grew up hearing about Burke & Hare, and have taken several tours of the vaults over the years. I’m back in town for the fire festival and your video has put me in mind to visit the vaults again.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Ohh, cool! I hope you have a great time.

[@jared1870]

Whoa! Not only does Mr. Eerie talk of the paranormal, he lives it. Thanks for today's upload chock full of ghosts.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Haha, pleasure my friend 😊

[@AngelaJanusauskas-sk4jx]

Wow what a horrible place for anyone to have to live thank goodness for the cobbler 👍

[@pontecarlo4354]

When I was on a tour of the Edinburgh vaults I was at the back of the group and flashed my torch into an abandoned dark vault. I caught the figure of a man facing the wall wearing a large pair of boots. I asked the guide who was the figure and he replied there wasn’t one the vault was empty. What had I seen?

[@weeburd3730]

Welcome back Eerie.Missed your videos,giving you a wave from pathhead beach or should say ravenscraig castle.great video,glad your feeling better.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Now that's a great castle! Just over the water. Hello back to you 👋🏻

[@ION400]

18:25 Mr. Rogers??! 22:35 Guy on left is in the wall. 22:42 Guy on left is in the wall.

[@stefantorstensson9736]

Very interesting this. Edinburgh, the city in my heart, I visited in 2014, and felt at home there. My friend and I were part of an incredible thing in Inverness Cathedral. When we got there, I wanted to show my respect and love for the city of Scots, so I lit a candle there, thinking, "I light this candle for all the Scots who lived and loved the cathedral". The "result" came as surprised as it was unexpected. A kind of buzzing went through the body as if it were a finger being inserted into the body. When I told my friend, the next surprise came. The church doors swing open, the wind catches a "Welcome" sign, which lands right in front of my feet. Two welcome out of two possible, from old dead Scots. Ever since then, the Cathedral has had a place in my heart. In the small nearby town of Naîrn, a similar greeting took place. Feel free to get more facts about who haunts the cathedral, and greetings from "the Swede" ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jenniferritchie2710]

Can someone please tell me who the narrator is? As much as these tales are spooky, his voice just instantly relaxes me. Better than asmr videos❤❤❤❤

[@emaliciously]

I visited into the vault with a tour. Had a weird experience myself. There's something down there 100 percent.

[@sasha1mama]

Burke and Hare probably wouldn't have had to resort to such measures as they did if society hadn't been so systemically screwed-up from centuries of mismanagement and corruption. Yes, they were criminals...but the true villains held higher seats. And they still do.

[@liliasgordon3565]

Been to "the vaults" a couple of times - same place each time. I am sure there are two but being a "weegie" only found one of 'em. I will keep searching. 🤔🤞

[@Rick_Cleland]

Was in the vaults once about twenty years ago, me and my mate both seen something walk right through a solid wall, the American family that was with us lost their minds.

[@elizabethingram425]

Distinctive, very loud ,gutteral growl..Not a dog! I was unnerved to say the least

[@rotapp7268]

Love how you mix history with ghost stories

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you 😊👍🏻

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi, awesome live ghost stories video I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well and so is my cat Benjamin. Benjamin and I always enjoy watching your videos. Have a great day see you next video 😊

[@eerieedinburgh]

Hello to you and Benjamin 👋🏻

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

Well told and beautiful images too.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you 😊

[@elizabethingram425]

Once went on an overnight investigation in the vaults with a team and my daughter. We both heard a

[@tamsin1969]

I haven't watched yet. Must wait for the perfect moment because I know it's always going to be the best part of my day! But I can't wait so I had to comment now, lol. Yay. So excited 😁

[@amb163]

I took several tours of the Vaults when I visited Edinburgh in 2015. They are amazingly atmospheric! I recommend them over Mary King's Close, for sure, which has been sanitized to within an inch of its life. The final tour I took was the last tour of the night and very late. I was charged with blowing out the candle in each room as I left. I didn't see anything unusual, unfortunately, but I've never experienced anything so pitch black and creepy in my entire life.

[@lovelyskull3483]

Thank you for this fascinating video.

[@cornwallparanormalresearch2378]

Awesome like and shared out in you tube community. ⌚

[@anitadavies7367]

thank you so much....

[@yvonnehayton6753]

Graphics and narration spot on! Creepy AF! I've been to all these vaults but never experienced the paranormal. Definitely spooky though.

[@StuartAndersonHarris]

Well done my mate, always look forward to hearing your work!

[@eerieedinburgh]

Same for you, my friend.

[@johnreyes1749]

Great story telling, it’s make you feel like you’re there😉

[@ShaunUnderwoodx]

I presume you use AI for stock images?

[@eerieedinburgh]

I use a bit of AI, yep. Tool called Nightcafe.

[@kathleenorr9237]

Hope you are feeling better. Really enjoyed Burke and Hare..a very dark duo indeed.

[@eerieedinburgh]

I am a wee bit, thank you for asking 😊 yes, a definite pair of rogues.

[@99fruitbat94]

Thanks for another excellent video . I moved from Scotland down to the South East of England in 1977 in order to work . Not much work available in the area I was living in at the time . Years later I travelled back to Edinburgh with my then husband ( English guy) since deceased , We walked around the ' auld toon ' . I thought he would be impressed by the old architecture and then he reminded me that he had been born and bred in one of the oldest parts of London 😅 Thanks for the video 🎉

[@suecrowhurst4393]

Crikey you can see the scratches clearly

[@eerieedinburgh]

I have a friend who lives in the Borders who know's someone who's being regularly scratched by something. She lives in a house built in the grounds of an old Asylum 😱

[@pmcv7]

Brilliant video. The most comprehensive video about the vaults on KZbin. I've been to both sets myself and never experienced anything. However I've heard stories from people who work in nearby pubs Banshee Labyrinth and Whistle Binkies that definitely corroborate the activity.

[@cocojo242]

Thank you for another great video

[@Rebecca-d7b]

Thank you so much I really appreciate your videos and always look forward to the next one. I go back and listening to the older ones often.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Aww, thank you 😊

[@gillianmcmurray]

Brilliant! Another great selection. Thanks!

[@eerieedinburgh]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching 😊

[@gwenniemay2304]

Creepy AF 😵‍💫

[@TarahMatson-zz2hj]

Mr. Eerie, your timing is impeccable. This is just what I needed today. Thank you once again for sharing your amazing city with us. I truly hope that you’re feeling better. Blessings from Minnesota, USA.

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, Tarah. I am a wee bit and the support you guys are giving me is the best medicine 😊

[@raindog428]

Eerie!!! Yaaay!!! Just about to watch now..hope yr feeling better xxx❤

[@eerieedinburgh]

I'm definitely better than a couple of weeks ago. Thank's for checking in 😊

[@paulguise698]

You're Voice is great, I have to watch the vlog twice it usually sends me to sleep (not in a bad way) as soon as I wake up I play it again, I got a shock when Abraham Lincoln appeared on the screen, my Dad told me about Burke and Hare, it didn't realise it was in 19th century, good vlog, well written and beautifully told, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@eerieedinburgh]

Hello Choppy 👋🏻 thanks for the lovely feedback 👍🏻

[@tbeansd6244]

I have to say, this is a FANTASTIC video! I have only just come across your site and have bern binge watching. Definitely loving this video the best so far! Being English and once was engaged to an Edinburgh man. It does hold a certain essence for me. Although I never got to experience the vaults, your video makes it possible. THANKYOU! ❤️

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Excellent job 👍💯♥️👻

[@susanbutler2542]

Thank you very much great stories glad you’re feeling better. Keep up the awesome job.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, Susan 😊

[@susanbutler2542]

@@eerieedinburgh 💜💜💜💜

[@ellstark372]

You know by now how much I love your channel! Your stories make me ache for home at the same time as reminding me why I moved a hundred miles away. My love for Edinburgh will never die, but every corner seems to hold a memory for me that hurts my heart! Edinburgh is the only city I know that loves you with the same intensity that it wants to kill you!

[@karenfield748]

Nz is in the house ❤🎉😂

[@eerieedinburgh]

Helloooo! 👋🏻🇳🇿

[@jonsmum5552]

I’ve lived in Edinburgh all my life. Not a chance I’d go down those vaults. I like to leave restless angry beings alone.

[@jays2035]

Whenever we're in Edinburgh we take the vaults tour. One time our camera lost its charge and I had scratches on my back....right in the middle. Never felt anything scratch my back when we were down there..

[@marcelvanooijen7790]

Thanks ,...from Holland ,i really enjoy watching !!!

[@lucycloverlincoln111]

why do I feel like watching LOTR after these videos??? GOsh your theme is similar.

[@jez6208]

Absolutely brilliant! Watched your work from the beginning. It's great to see you doing so well. Fascinating stories. Love it! 👍👍

[@omarra6781]

Just discovered your videos and have binge watched several so far. You have a very relaxing storytelling voice and the stories are interesting. However, at 7:04 minutes in I noticed the lady's hand holding the money. AI never gets the hands right. LOL

[@puckle69]

Cracking video, educational as always. I’m hoping to visit Edinburgh soon & The Vaults will be high on my list, hope I don’t bump into Mr Boots 👻👌

[@TyrnGorthad]

I've been down into the Vaults numerous times over the years and always find Niddry to be the most unsettling. I was on a tour once when we all heard distinct clear whistling; even the little French girl giving the tour looked visibly unnerved.

[@garethconnor9113]

Another great video. Brings back memories of my visits to Edinburgh and the vaults. Been to a lot of places which are meant to be haunted. But the vaults are an attack on the senses. Well it was for me. Fascinating, but fearsome at the same time 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@raindog428]

Wow!!outstanding storytelling as usual.I got creeped out for sure😮👻

[@eerieedinburgh]

Too kind, my friend. Thank you 😊

[@susanfurman]

I hope to visit Scotland one day. These are very interesting stories. History and all. Thank you so much.❤

[@julie-annegalvin251]

Back in 2016 I went on an evening tour in the vaults That night in my hotel on Royal Mile I had a vivid dream A lion relaxed on my bed. Purple and gold shiny fabric billowed in the room It was incredibly clear and real

[@lizardspoint]

Hi Greetings from Kim from Nottingham England, this is really spooky thank you for doing this xx

[@marionmitchell2955]

love all your videos plz tone down the music thou

[@eerieedinburgh]

👍🏻 thanks for the feedback.

[@ktswandering]

Thanks

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you so much, Kellie! 🫂

[@DevonExplorer]

That was so interesting. I always enjoy your well-researched history and beautiful narration. This one was incredibly scary too. I'm so glad I watched it not too late in the evening, lol. :)

[@marymannion7142]

Went with my friend it was fabulous but I another man I didn’t know heard rustling of skirts , my friend thought I was joking until the man said he heard it also. Took a pic of my friend then felt ill went to hotel and was physically sick , my friend still thought I was playing a joke then next day look at our pics and the one I tookof her she had bruising on her face in the pic then she believed me .

[@suecrowhurst4393]

That’s a good screen shot

[@DazFam]

This channel is epic, superb content,

[@eerieedinburgh]

Aww, thank you 😊

[@DazFam]

@eerieedinburgh sorry for the thumbs down, pressed the wrong button last night

[@eerieedinburgh]

@@DazFam Haha, no problem my friend.

[@thurayya8905]

I wonder what the composition of the stone walls is? Limestone and granite? There is the theory that they, in combination with the damp, hold a charge, which could have recorded the earlier presences within. Thought provoking that these few tragic citizens of yesteryear hold the imagination of so many today.

[@alanatolstad4824]

I wasn't able to participate in the ghost tour when we started our Scotland tour in Edinburgh. So, thank-you for taking me there, all these years later.---And I was interested in hearing more about the body snatcher story, you provided information I'd not heard before.

[@donaldsimpson7991]

Another great one ! Of all the stories my father told me when I was a boy Burke and hare and sawney bean have stayed with me and made me realise people as bad as this do exist ! Lang may your lum reek brother

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, my friend. I love Sawney Bean!

[@Glesga_lassie]

I was one of the first members of the publications c taken into the vaults by mercat back in the year 2000, i was there again last year, I adore the place and Edinburgh in general. Here in Glasgow its boring 😂

[@eerieedinburgh]

Oh i don't know, one of my favourite hauntings is in Bearsden. We are spoilt for choice in Edinburgh though 😊

[@Glesga_lassie]

@@eerieedinburgh I just noticed the ridiculous typo in my original post (I have COVID, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it lol). I meant to say I was a twenty year old art student and one of the first groups of the public taken into the vaults in 2000, (and Mary Kings Close the same year, I also used to walk around the cemeteries at night and take photos on a pre digital days camera, for someone terrified of ghosts I sure done all I could to run into one lol). There are lots of Glasgow ghost stories (I'm a ghosty history buff, a bit like yourself but nowhere near as excellent! My area of interest is the more mid to late medieval era, and in particular the witchcraft and Scottish witch trials, if you ever fancy doing a story on that subject I could point you in the direction of lots of research material) but Edinburgh is just special. I'd move there but it's too expensive, and I'd get kicked off the royal mile for daily loitering lol The council destroyed Glasgow back in the 60's and 70's by pulling down many of the older buildings, it pains me so much. Love your channel, it's helping me through my virus riddled days in bed and making them much easier. I think I've listened to them all this week, many more than once!

[@eerieedinburgh]

@@Glesga_lassie oh no! I hope its not too bad, covids making a bit of a return it seems. Fingers crossed you're on the mend soon and yes, i'd love to know more. When you're feeling up to it get in touch.

[@derekgray644]

Lived in the city for 4 and a half years with my ex Mrs. I never visited the vaults, always regretted it. Great video. 👍

[@Duececoupe]

Happy days! Another Eerie Edinburgh video....I need coffee to go with it, or tea....or a beer! Decisions, decisions....dammit! 🤨🤔😉😆😂 Always nice to see a friendly face....keep 'em videos coming! I hope that all is well at your end of the trenches....🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@TimebetweenTimes]

Absolutly loved this episode

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, my friend 😊

[@sharyndoyle6362]

I saw the odd face of a person in the first clip of the students in the vault on my left hand side. Looked like an older man. Was that deliberate ? Loved it !

[@devpandey1332]

Loved the stories, style of delivery and the awesome accent.. thank you. Have subscribed.

[@deborahbarry8250]

Excellent video! I would love to see all of Scotland. What a fascinating place.

[@annebell7274]

Thoroughly enjoyed. Newly subscribed. 👌👌👌❤️

[@jodiematthews7734]

I would love to visit this place… it’s definitely on my “bucket list”…

[@ornorontheroad6471]

I will visit Edinburgh for the first time next week. Can’t wait to have this experience myself

[@juliemoscrop2448]

Into paranormal definitely herd moans in the vaults and shadow figures

[@suecrowhurst4393]

This is great ghost stories down there, been to Mary’s close but not that one , hopefully get to go there

[@paulgavin2267]

Waited a while for this one & it didn't disappoint! Great job! First time I've heard the aristocrat & Hellfire club stories. I went to the Niddry Street Vaults in November & experienced something touching me in the room with the stone circle when no one else was behind me & while in another vault could hear someone walking up & down the halls. One lady asked if the guide if we were the only your group in & we were then told us about Mr. Boots.

[@eerieedinburgh]

That's a very creepy section. I had an overnight ghost hunt and had to spend ten mins in the upper room in that section with no torch 😬😱

[@Little_Sidhe]

Is there still a mirror in that stone circle room?

[@eerieedinburgh]

@@Little_Sidhe Been a while since i was in it, but dont recall it being there.

[@paulgavin2267]

@@eerieedinburgh I have a two photos taken within seconds of each other. In one there's a weird blueish shape. I still don't know what it is. Creepy tho. Definitely something down there.

[@paulgavin2267]

@@Little_Sidhe The guide said the mirror got removed when we done the tour last year

[@AScottishOdyssey]

Another really interesting video. I've been to the Edinburgh Vaults as well. They really are creepy, but really interesting.

[@bobikdylan]

Knox got away with his part in the Burke and Hare atrocities.

[@mjrchapin]

Amazing! I'm going to have to listen to the whole thing again! Thank you for this!

[@juliemoscrop2448]

Amazing vaults done many off them will do more

[@stephkluske423]

Well done, great video mate ☺️ Creepy old Mr. Boots 😮

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, my friend 👍🏻

[@johnmclane9965]

Haunting and beautiful, as always. Thank you Sir!

[@leabarto8156]

You have an amazing voice. I love your videos.

[@theofficialandylaytonjames]

Find these sinister stories greatly entertaining however I don't believe in ghosts

[@coling3957]

Another great video with its own special eerieness.

[@mwilson7842]

My granny was an Armstrong. Love the Scottish and love this channel. The best to snuggle up to and drift off to sleep at the end. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇲

[@suesmilie2438]

Thank you for another fabulous episode.👻👻👻♥️

[@leonaheraty3760]

Wow! Thank you so much for this spooky and interesting podcast! I read a great book years ago about Burke and Hare that has stuck with me for years. Their evil deeds are so frightening that this story still scares me to this day! Although, as you know, Dr. Knox was never charged with any crime, I still think he snd his assistants were at least guilty of paying for the bodies to be dug up from their graves. What I gathered from the book was that Knox and his medical school assistants just looked the other way and really didn't care or want to know where the bodies came from or how they were obtained, even by murder! The book talked about how the Edinburgh University Medical School was on the leading edge of medicine at that time, as you know, and the doctors were making great strides in all areas of medical science. That's all great, but robbing graves and murdering people was so evil! The vaults look so spooky! I would love to visit Scotland and see them some day! The lost little ghost boy makes me sad. Perhaps if someone encounters his ghost, they will encourage him to move towards the Light, so his dear Soul can cross over to Heaven? Anyway, love your channel! Keep up the awesome work! Happy Easter to all! He is Risen! Alleluia! ⛪🐣🐰👻😊

[@eerieedinburgh]

Thank you, lovely of you to say 😊

[@suecrowhurst4393]

Thankyou for this

[@eerieedinburgh]

My pleasure 😊

[@sini-marja]

I've been interested in ghosts and other supernatural since i was a child. I'm so excited to watch and hear all these ghost stories and the history behind them. Great job, thank you! 🙌 I've visited in Edinburgh which is a beautiful mythical capital. It's so nice to hear old tales from there and amazing Highlands. 🍂🦌

[@eerieedinburgh]

My pleasure 😊