Dark Edinburgh: Closes, Vaults and Kirkyards

The stops, in walking order

1. 1

   

   Stop 1: Blair Street Underground Vaults

   ~3 min here

   Blair Street Underground Vaults are chambers beneath Edinburgh’s South Bridge, occupying space within the bridge’s arched structure.

2. 2

   

   Stop 2: Mary King's Close

   ~3 min here

   Mary King's Close is an underground historic close beneath Edinburgh City Chambers, and it now forms a visitor attraction.

3. 3

   

   Stop 3: Heart of Midlothian

   ~3 min here

   The Heart of Midlothian is a heart-shaped mosaic made from coloured granite setts outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

4. 4

   

   Stop 4: Greyfriars Kirkyard

   ~3 min here

   Greyfriars Kirkyard is the burial ground around Greyfriars Kirk, with weathered stones and enclosed tombs filling the space beside George Heriot’s School.

5. 5

   

   Stop 5: Greyfriars Bobby

   ~3 min here

   Greyfriars Bobby is a granite fountain carrying a life-size bronze statue of the dog it commemorates.

6. 6

   

   Stop 6: Surgeons' Hall

   ~3 min here

   Surgeons' Hall is the headquarters of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and this building also contains its medical museum, library, and archive.

More walks in Edinburgh

• HighlightsEdinburgh Essentials10 stops · ~3 hr 55 min · 5.4 kmSee the walk
• HighlightsEdinburgh Essentials: The Royal Mile in an Hour6 stops · ~1 hr 45 min · 1.1 kmSee the walk
• Royal HeritageCanongate to Holyrood: The Royal End of the Mile8 stops · ~2 hr 10 min · 2.5 kmSee the walk
• Gardens & ViewsPrinces Street to Calton Hill: Monuments and Views8 stops · ~2 hr · 3.0 kmSee the walk
• Hidden GemsNew Town to Dean Village and the Water of Leith6 stops · ~1 hr 20 min · 5.0 kmSee the walk
• Art & MuseumsGalleries and Museums of Edinburgh7 stops · ~5 hr 55 min · 3.6 kmSee the walk
• Food & DrinkWhisky, Oysters and Old Pubs4 stops · ~45 min · 2.6 kmSee the walk
• Nature & ViewsHolyrood Park: Arthur's Seat and Duddingston Loch4 stops · ~1 hr 15 min · 4.9 kmSee the walk
• Local LifeCowgate to the Meadows: Edinburgh's South Side5 stops · ~40 min · 1.8 kmSee the walk