Ghosts of Edinburgh: Bloody Past Exploration Game and Tour

Edinburgh’s ghostly side makes a good setting for a city game. You move from The Mound and the Castle area to St Giles’, Mary King’s Close, Greyfriars Bobby, and the old execution ground at Grassmarket, solving clues before the next story appears.

I like the freedom to start at any hour and stop for a break. I also like the low price, about $7.21 per person, and the way the puzzles send you toward places you might otherwise pass by. The catch is that some clues can be tricky, and the app has caused loading problems for some players.

Key points

• Choose your own schedule: Start anytime, pause during the game, and resume later.
• A haunted Old Town route: Visit Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’, Mary King’s Close, Greyfriars, and Grassmarket.
• No paid entry required: The Castle is part of the puzzle route, but you do not need to enter the attraction.
• Play offline: Download or prepare the game so you are not dependent on a live internet connection.
• Best for small private groups: Only your booking group plays together, with group discounts available.
• Allow for puzzle delays: One hour is the stated duration, but difficult clues or app problems can stretch the outing.

A ghost game through Edinburgh’s oldest streets

This is not a conventional walking tour with a guide leading you from one speech to the next. It is a self-guided city game. Your phone gives you a location, a challenge, and the next piece of the story after you find the right answer.

That format changes the mood. Instead of simply looking at St Giles’ or Greyfriars Kirkyard, you examine the surroundings for details that help solve a puzzle. The dark stories give the game its theme, but the real value is that you keep looking closely at Edinburgh’s streets and buildings.

The experience is private. Your group plays together, and nobody else is added to your booking. That works well for friends, families, or a couple who would rather set their own pace than join a fixed group.

The route begins at The Mound, the broad slope linking Edinburgh’s New Town and Old Town. It ends at 100 West Bow, near the Royal Mile. The listed stops cover a fairly wide part of central Edinburgh, so wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on the clock if you want to finish near the stated one-hour mark.

The Mound: start among buried layers of Edinburgh

The Mound looks like a natural rise until you know what it is. It was built from roughly 1,501,000 cartloads of earth dug out during construction of the New Town. That earth was dumped into the former Nor Loch, which was drained in 1765 and later became Princes Street Gardens.

It is a smart starting point for a game about Edinburgh’s buried and uneasy past. You begin by searching the area for an answer rather than listening to a long introduction. Once the answer is accepted, the next part of the game becomes available.

I would arrive with your phone charged and the game ready to play. The first challenge sets the pattern for the entire experience: observe the place, work out the clue, and let the app guide you onward.

Edinburgh Castle without paying the admission fee

Edinburgh Castle dominates the city from Castle Rock. People lived on the rock at least as far back as the Iron Age, though the exact nature of that early settlement is not clear.

The castle is an obvious choice for a ghost-themed route, but it also creates the most important practical point. You do not need to buy a castle ticket to play the game. The challenge is designed to be completed from accessible areas around the attraction, rather than by requiring entry to the paid site.

That distinction matters because one player became stuck after assuming admission was necessary. If the app appears to send you toward a paid entrance, check the intended point carefully and use the provider’s support contact if the location does not make sense. You should not build the cost of castle admission into your budget for this experience.

The castle stop may take longer than expected if you are trying to match a clue with a large, busy complex. The game is better suited to people who enjoy working things out than to anyone seeking a quick photo stop.

St Giles’ Cathedral and the old heart of Edinburgh

St Giles’ dates to about 1130, when a parish church served Edinburgh during the reign of David I. It was originally granted to the Lazarites and dedicated to St Giles, the patron saint of people with leprosy and later of Edinburgh itself.

The game uses the area around the church as another observation point. You look for the answer in the surroundings, then receive the next location and story. This keeps the visit active, even if you are not planning to enter the church.

I like this part of the route because it connects a famous landmark with a small task. You are less likely to hurry past the building while focused only on the Royal Mile. Keep in mind that the game depends on the physical setting being easy to inspect, so crowded streets or an unclear clue may slow you down.

Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh’s underground legends

Mary King’s Close lies beneath buildings on the Royal Mile. It takes its name from Mary King, a merchant burgess who lived there in the 17th century.

This is one of the route’s strongest atmospheric stops. The name itself points to the layered city below your feet, and the location fits the game’s macabre theme without needing theatrical effects. The activity directs you to look around the area and solve a question connected with the place.

You should not assume the game includes entry to the close. The experience is a street-based puzzle tour, and no paid attraction admission is listed as part of the price. If you want to visit the underground site itself, treat that as a separate plan.

The clue here may reward patience. Some players found the puzzles too hard to decipher, so do not feel rushed if your group needs a few minutes to discuss the wording.

Greyfriars Bobby and the kirkyard entrance

Near the main entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard is the life-size statue of Greyfriars Bobby. Sculptor William Brodie created it in 1872, and Baroness Burdett-Coutts paid for it. The statue was unveiled on 15 November 1873.

Bobby is one of Edinburgh’s most recognizable figures, but the stop does more than provide a familiar photo point. It places the game beside one of the city’s best-known burial grounds, where the tone shifts from sentimental to somber.

You will need to inspect the area for the answer rather than simply stand beside the fountain. That makes the stop more engaging for children and teenagers, especially if they enjoy puzzles. The game can be played at night, but the supplied information does not promise special lighting or an escorted evening walk, so use ordinary care and choose a time that suits your group.

Grassmarket, cattle fairs, and public executions

Grassmarket began as a place for cattle fairs and stables. By about the 1670s, it had become a trading point for goods. It also served as a traditional place of public execution, giving this busy square its darker connection with the city’s past.

This is where the experience’s title makes the most sense. The setting is open and easy to recognize, but the story attached to it is grim. A clue-based game can handle that material in a lighter, more approachable way than a formal lecture, though parents should decide if the subject suits younger children.

Grassmarket is also useful as a pause point. Since you may stop and resume whenever you like, you can take a break here before continuing. That flexibility is one of the best features of the format, particularly if your group includes children or if you want to combine the game with food or another Old Town visit.

New College and the Mound’s scholarly side

New College began as the theological college of the Free Church of Scotland. Classes opened in Edinburgh’s New Town on 1 November 1843 before the college moved to the Mound. The foundation stone of the present building was laid by Reverend Dr Thomas Chalmers on 3 June 1846.

This stop broadens the experience beyond murder stories and supernatural tales. You get a glimpse of the city’s religious and academic life, with the puzzle encouraging you to notice a building you might otherwise treat as background scenery.

The route information places New College among the later stops, although the exact walking order may depend on the game’s location prompts. Keep your phone available and follow the next point shown in the app rather than trying to force the route into a conventional sightseeing sequence.

Modern Art and the route’s changing character

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art first opened in August 1960 at Inverleith House in the Royal Botanic Garden. It moved to its current site at Modern One on Belford Road in 1984. Modern Two opened across the road in March 1999.

This stop is a surprising fit for a bloody-past game. It shifts you away from medieval churches, kirkyards, and execution sites toward Edinburgh’s modern cultural life. That contrast gives the route more range, though it may also make the journey feel less tightly focused on ghosts.

You should check your energy and time here. The stated duration is about one hour, but the collection of stops covers several distinct parts of central Edinburgh. If your group spends time solving every clue, the actual outing may run longer than the estimate.

Old College and the final stretch to West Bow

Old College is part of the University of Edinburgh on South Bridge. It now houses parts of the university administration, the School of Law, and the Talbot Rice Gallery. Robert Adam designed it as a replacement for several older buildings, and it was originally called the New College.

The building provides a strong closing location because it brings the route back to Edinburgh’s civic and academic story. From the start at The Mound to the finish near West Bow, you see how closely the city’s religious, educational, commercial, and grim public spaces sit together.

The stated end point is 100 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH. That is useful if you want to arrange a meal or another Royal Mile activity afterward. The route is not simply a loop back to the start, so plan your next move from the finish rather than assuming you will return to The Mound.

What the app format does well

The biggest advantage is control. You can begin at any hour, play during the day or evening, take a break, and return later. The activity can be played anytime after booking without rescheduling, which is more forgiving than a fixed walking tour.

Offline play is another practical benefit. Once the game is ready on your phone, you do not need a live internet connection while moving around the city. I would still prepare before setting out because one poor experience involved a long delay loading into the account. A few minutes of preparation can prevent a late start.

The puzzles also give your group a shared task. You are not just reading facts on a screen. You are looking at the city, discussing possible answers, and deciding what detail matters. One especially positive experience involved playing at night with a 15-year-old daughter, which suggests the tone can work well for older children and families who like a little suspense.

Where the experience can stumble

The app is the weak point. Some clues have been difficult to interpret, and some location prompts have seemed far from the obvious landmark. That can turn a pleasant game into a hunt for the correct corner, doorway, or viewpoint.

You should also avoid leaving the activity until very late at night. A delayed account login caused one player to lose much of the evening. This is not a reason to reject the experience, but it is a reason to install, open, and check the game before your chosen start time.

The advertised one-hour length needs a little caution. Nine named locations, including sites around the Old Town, The Mound, Belford Road, and South Bridge, can create a brisk schedule. Puzzle difficulty, pauses, photo stops, and walking time all affect the final duration.

Price, group size, and who gets the best value

At about $7.21 per person, this is inexpensive for a private activity in central Edinburgh. A group of friends can share the same puzzle experience without paying for a physical guide, and group discounts may reduce the cost further.

The value is strongest if you enjoy games. If you want detailed interpretation from a local guide, this will feel thin because no physical guide accompanies you. You are paying for the app, the route, and the stories, not for live conversation or expert answers at each stop.

Groups larger than 15 people need to make multiple bookings. Smaller groups are simpler to manage, especially because everyone must agree on the answer and keep track of the next location.

The experience is suitable for most participants, is near public transportation, and allows service animals. It is offered in English only. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book Ghosts of Edinburgh?

Book it if you want a cheap, flexible way to explore central Edinburgh with friends, older children, or a partner. It is especially appealing at a time when you can pause, and it works well for people who like solving clues more than following a guide.

Skip it if you need a polished app, a strict one-hour walk, or detailed live commentary. Prepare the game before leaving, do not assume you need Castle admission, and allow extra time for clues that may not be obvious.

At this price, the risk is small. Just treat it as a puzzle walk with ghostly stories, not as a full guided tour. That is the fairest way to judge what you are buying.

FAQ

How much does Ghosts of Edinburgh cost?

The listed price is $7.21 per person. Group discounts are available.

How long does the experience take?

The stated duration is approximately one hour. Puzzle difficulty, walking pace, breaks, and time spent at each stop may affect the total time.

Where does the game start?

It starts at The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK.

Where does the game end?

It ends at 100 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH, UK.

Do I need to enter Edinburgh Castle?

No. Paid attraction entry is not required to play the game, including at Edinburgh Castle.

Is a physical guide included?

No. This is a self-guided experience played through the app.

Can I pause the game?

Yes. You can take a break at any time and resume later.

Do I need an internet connection while playing?

No. The game can be played offline.

What language is available?

The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.