The Vaults

The Vaults offers an exciting underground adventure through Edinburgh's historic subterranean chambers, bringing Scotland's fascinating past to life for curious young minds. Family-friendly guided tours combine spooky stories with educational content, making history engaging and memorable for children while exploring genuine 18th-century vaults beneath the city streets.

• ✓Exploring genuine 18th-century underground chambers beneath Edinburgh's streets
• ✓Interactive storytelling that brings Scottish history to life through engaging guides
• ✓Learning about Edinburgh's unique architectural history and the lives of people who once lived and worked in the vaults
• ✓Safe 'spooky' atmosphere that excites kids without being too frightening on family tours
• ✓Hands-on historical experiences that make learning fun and memorable

1. 1.Book tours in advance online, especially during Edinburgh Festival season (August) when the city gets extremely busy and tours sell out quickly.
2. 2.Dress warmly as the underground vaults remain cool year-round (around 10°C/50°F), even in summer. Layers and comfortable walking shoes are essential.
3. 3.Arrive 10-15 minutes early to use facilities and get situated, as there are no bathrooms once you descend into the vaults.
4. 4.Ask about the specifically designated family-friendly tours if traveling with younger children, as some tours focus more on ghost stories and may be too intense.
5. 5.The Leith location is slightly outside Edinburgh's city center, so plan transportation accordingly. A short bus or taxi ride from the Royal Mile takes about 15 minutes.

Visit on weekday mornings or early afternoons for smaller tour groups and a more intimate experience. Avoid weekends and school holidays when tours can be crowded, and skip August during the Festival unless booked well in advance.

Tours are guided only and typically last about 60-75 minutes with moderate walking through narrow passages. Strollers and wheelchairs cannot access the underground vaults due to steep stairs and uneven historical surfaces.

Open year-round with tours running daily. Special Halloween-themed family tours run in October. Book extra early for visits during Edinburgh's Festival Fringe in August or around Christmas and New Year (Hogmanay) when the city is busiest.

The Shore area of Leith has several family-friendly options within walking distance, including The Granary (casual cafe with kids' menu and high chairs) and Mimi's Bakehouse Leith (great for post-tour treats with excellent cakes and child-friendly atmosphere).