Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Ghosts of Edinburgh: A Bloody Past Walking Tour & Escape Game
4.73Player rating· 1,454 playsA DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 56 min 2.9 km Edinburgh App-guided
Play in
EnglishFrenchGerman
The experience
About this quest
Step into the dark and twisted history of Edinburgh with this thrilling walking tour and escape game. Explore the city’s most haunted places, from sites of public executions to hidden corners filled with chilling tales.
Uncover the bloody stories of the Great Scottish Witch Hunts, the infamous Burke and Hare murders, and Edinburgh’s most notorious ghosts, including the Wizard of West Bow, the Grey Lady, and George Mackenzie.
In this macabre adventure, you take on the role of a mysterious staff with a human head, once wielded by Major Thomas Weir, Edinburgh’s infamous wizard. The major has gone missing, and it’s up to you to track him down and confront those who aided him in his quest for redemption.
Perfect for ghost story enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, and history buffs, this self-guided tour lets you explore Edinburgh’s haunted past while solving riddles and uncovering the city’s darkest secrets.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Visit the most haunted places in town
Discover Edinburgh’s dark and bloody past, from the Great Scottish Witch Hunts to the Burke and Hare murders
Learn about the haunting stories of the Wizard of West Bow, the Grey Lady, George Mackenzie and more
Explore the many sites where public executions were held
Visit the hall containing a book made of William Burke’s flesh
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.73 / 5
565 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing Played 1,454 times
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
Edinburgh
A · Start
57 The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK
B · Finish
102 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH, Regatul Unit
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Lidia Molina Whyte .
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Lidia Molina Whyte
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Best at night
- Don’t enter the places, not part of the experience
- Use the phone flashlight for clues if needed
- Horror & Haunts
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
What’s the challenge in this haunted walk?
You play as a ghostly staff (yes, with a human head) once wielded by Major Thomas Weir. He’s gone missing, and it’s up to you to solve riddles, face dark legends, and track down those who helped him in his fall.
Will I see spooky places I won’t find in regular tours?
Definitely. Public execution sites, alleys whispered to be haunted, stories of Burke & Hare, Wizard of West Bow, the Grey Lady, George Mackenzie—all these bits of scary history pop up in corners most people pass by without noticing.
Is this something I could do on a date night?
For sure. Imagine starting at dusk, walking through atmospheric old streets of Edinburgh, solving creepy clues together… it blends romance + mystery in a way that dinner alone doesn’t.
Is it too scary for teenagers or sensitive folks?
It has creepy stories and ghost vibes, but it’s not horror movie level. If you’re okay with dark legends and whispers, you’ll be fine. Might feel intense in certain parts, though.
Will I need a flashlight or special gear?
A phone with flashlight helps in dim streets. Good walking shoes are key. Other than that, nothing fancy—just be ready to walk and stare into shadows!
Is Ghosts of Edinburgh: A Bloody Past Walking Tour & Escape Game self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Ghosts of Edinburgh: A Bloody Past Walking Tour & Escape Game start and finish?
It starts at The Mound, 57 The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK and finishes at West Bow, 100 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH, UK. The route is approximately 2.8 km and includes 11 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
What language is Ghosts of Edinburgh: A Bloody Past Walking Tour & Escape Game available in?
It is currently available to play in English.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
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More adventures in Edinburgh
Edinburgh dark-history context
Documented tragedy, local legends and a fictional haunting
Edinburgh’s dark reputation draws on both documented events and stories retold over generations. Thousands of people were accused during Scotland’s witch trials, with hundreds executed around Castle Hill, while names such as Burke and Hare belong to the city’s real crime history. Ghosts such as the Wizard of West Bow and the Grey Lady are folklore, not verified events. The talking staff and search for Major Weir in this quest form an original fictional thread through those different layers of history and legend. Playable languages: English, French, German.
