The Dark Side of Edinburgh

The Dark Side of Edinburgh is a guided walk through the Old Town on Thursday 29 October, starting at 19:00. It's a tour of the city's grimmer side, focusing on the crimes, punishments and notorious characters that the usual tourist trails tend to leave out. The stories they dig up include witches, cannibals, murders, thieves, body snatchers and the devil in disguise.

The walk is led under cover of darkness by two guides, Madam McKinnon and William Burke, who have been dead for almost 200 years and keep things moving with dry Scottish wit. The route stops at The Grassmarket, home of the castle's curse; Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of the world's most haunted graveyards; and the Royal Mile, where you'll take in St Giles Cathedral, the Tron Kirk and the Old Tolbooth Prison.

It's a good way to see the Old Town after dark, and if you've spent any time in the city, you'll recognise the landmarks, though you might not know the darker history attached to them. Tickets are £18 via Eventbrite, and it kicks off at 19:00 on Thursday 29 October.