Edinburgh Crime Walking Tour: Police, Murders and Macabre

About the Tour

Edinburgh's Criminal History

This self-guided audio tour takes you through the closes, courtyards, and cobbled streets where murderers operated, prisoners were hanged, and detectives finally caught their man — sometimes decades later. From the body-snatching trade that supplied Edinburgh's anatomy schools, to a 1977 double murder solved by DNA evidence 37 years on.

About the tour →

5 km Distance

2.5 hrs Duration

£11.49 Per Person

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

Your Guide

David Cunningham

27 years with Lothian & Borders Police and Police Scotland, retiring as a Detective Sergeant. Now a police advisor — most recently for Netflix's Department Q.

Me in 1996 at the Scottish Police College

Meet David in Full

The Route

Key Locations Through the Dark Heart of the Old Town

Jeffrey Street

This is the first stop on the tour, with views of the former Calton Jail site perched on the hill above.

Canongate Tolbooth

The 16th-century courthouse where prisoners awaited sentencing — its turrets watched centuries of justice play out below.

Bakehouse Close

One of the Old Town's best preserved closes, recognised by Outlander fans as the exterior of Jamie Fraser's printing shop. Offering a view to Arthur's Seat, the location of a recent murder.

World's End

Where two young women were last seen in 1977 before being murdered. Hear how DNA finally brought justice thirty years on.

Police Box, Canongate

Edinburgh's blue police boxes were once the nerve centres of street-level policing — communication hubs before the era of personal radios.

Mercat Cross

The spot where Edinburgh's most notorious criminals met their end in front of cheering crowds.

Heart of Midlothian

A cobblestone mosaic marking where Edinburgh's most feared jail once stood. Locals still spit on it for luck.

St Giles' Cathedral

At the heart of the Royal Mile, where the eyes of the world watched as Police Scotland engaged in Operation Unicorn following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Advocates Close

The domain of Edinburgh's legal establishment — the advocates and judges who shaped how Scotland prosecuted its criminals.

Edinburgh High Court

Scotland's Supreme Criminal Court. Hear how Scots Law finally evolved from centuries old tradition.

Elephant House

The birthplace of Harry Potter and where JK Rowling would frequent along with narrator Detective Sergeant Cunningham.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court

One of the busiest criminal courts in Scotland. Learn how the recovery of DNA evidence secured a conviction for a horrific crime.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Home to Greyfriars Bobby's grave, The Flodden Wall, the Covenanters' Prison, Bloody Mackenzie's Mausoleum, and the body snatching operations of Burke and Hare — all in one kirkyard.

The Grassmarket

Edinburgh's place of public execution for centuries. Learn about Half Hingit Maggie, The Last Drop and The White Hart Inn.

The Vennel

A narrow close with steps offering one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. One of the city's most photographed spots. Further up, the location of TV crime drama Inspector Rebus's home.

Victoria Street Balcony

A bird's eye view over one of Edinburgh's distinctive streets. A great location for a rest and to reveal just how good your memory is.

Brodie's Close

Named after Deacon Brodie — respected councillor by day, burglar by night. The real man who inspired Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Mound Place

Offers a view to the New Town towards the streets where two Edinburgh females were last seen alive. Two high profile murder investigations that shocked the nation.

Castle Esplanade

Site of military executions and over 300 witch burnings — the highest concentration anywhere in Scotland.

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Over 300 people were burned as witches on the Castle Esplanade — more than anywhere else in Scotland.

Edinburgh Through the Lens

The Streets You'll Walk

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Ready to explore Edinburgh?

Download VoiceMap, buy the tour once, and walk the Old Town at your own pace — narrated by a retired Detective Sergeant who worked these streets.

Start Listening — £11.49

✓ Works offline
✓ GPS-guided
✓ No booking required
✓ Go at your own pace

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The tour runs on the free VoiceMap app. Here's how to get it:
1. Download the VoiceMap app from the App Store or Google Play — it's free.
2. Search for "Edinburgh Crime Walking Tour" inside the app, or follow the link on this page.
3. Purchase the tour for £11.49. It's a one-off payment — no subscription.
4. Head to the start point and press Play. GPS guides you automatically between stops.
The tour downloads to your phone so it works offline — no signal needed on the day.
At each stop, the VoiceMap app plays audio narration automatically when you arrive — you don't need to press anything. GPS tracks your location and cues the next stop when you're ready to move. You can pause, rewind, or skip ahead at any point. There's no fixed start time and no guide to keep up with.
The tour costs £11.49 per person — a one-off purchase through the VoiceMap app. You can also access it via the Edinburgh Pass (3 tours for £18.99) or a UK Pass (5 tours for £29.99, or 20 tours for £74.49).
The tour starts outside the Edinburgh Woollen Mill at the top of Cockburn Street, where it meets the Royal Mile. It ends at Castlehill at the top of the Royal Mile — an easy walk back down to Waverley Station. The full route covers approximately 5 km and takes around 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
The tour is recommended for ages 16 and over. It contains detailed accounts of real historical crimes including murder, body-snatching, and references to violent assault. Under-16s are welcome to join at a parent or guardian's discretion, with the understanding that some content is graphic.
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes — the route includes cobblestones, steep inclines, and steps. A waterproof layer is always recommended in Edinburgh. Daylight hours are best; note that in winter it can be dark by 3:30pm. Summer evenings offer extended daylight and a different atmosphere entirely.