Greyfriars: The Poltergeist Walk
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Tickets from
£28.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
Investigate the legendary MacKenzie Poltergeist inside the locked Covenanters’ Prison, then unwind with whisky tasting and live folk music on Candlemaker Row. 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A guide-led paranormal investigation of the legendary MacKenzie Poltergeist inside the locked Covenanters’ Prison at Greyfriars.
- Whisky tasting on Candlemaker Row is 18+ for the alcohol; a soft-drink alternative is available for under-18s.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
Greyfriars Kirkyard is home to the Black Mausoleum and the Covenanters’ Prison, site of the notorious “MacKenzie Poltergeist” — one of the most investigated cases of alleged paranormal activity anywhere in the world, with hundreds of documented visitor incidents since the 1990s. This Halloween, Candlemaker Row outside the kirkyard gates transforms into an evening gathering spot with a whisky tasting tent and live folk music, while inside, small groups get hands-on access to the locked Covenanters’ Prison itself for a genuine paranormal investigation.
Why you should book this
The MacKenzie Poltergeist case is one of the most documented paranormal phenomena in the world, and locked-gate access to the Covenanters’ Prison is not available on any standard Edinburgh tour. Add a proper whisky tasting and live folk music, and this is a genuinely different way to spend a Halloween night in a city famous for ghost tours.
What you’ll experience
- The Poltergeist Walk — the timed headline experience: guided storytelling plus a hands-on paranormal investigation inside the locked Covenanters’ Prison
- Whisky & Folklore Tasting Tent — a guided tasting of Scottish whisky paired with the darkest tales of Edinburgh’s past, running continuously from 5pm
- Candlemaker Row Folk Sessions — live traditional Scottish music on an outdoor stage every evening
- Greyfriars Bobby Photo Corner — a warmer, family-friendly photo spot near the famous statue for those not ready for the kirkyard itself
- MacKenzie Case Files Exhibition — a small marquee displaying real documented visitor incident reports from the past three decades, free to browse all evening
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| Candlemaker Row market opens — case files exhibition, photo corner 4:00pm live 5:00pm Whisky & Folklore Tasting Tent opens | |
| 5:00pm–10:30pm | Poltergeist Walk departs every 20 minutes |
| 6:00pm, 7:30pm, Folk Sessions live sets 9pm | |
| 10:00pm | Last Whisky & Folklore tasting sitting |
| 10:30pm | Last entry to the Poltergeist Walk |
| 11:30pm | Market last orders |
| 12:00am | Candlemaker Row event closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: NCP Castle Terrace is the nearest recommended car park, about a 12-minute walk to Greyfriars Kirkyard. By train: Edinburgh Waverley is a 10-minute walk to the kirkyard gates. Other: Very well served by bus if you’d rather not walk from either the car park or the station.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Outdoor graveyard setting, uneven ground, cold — dress warm. The Candlemaker Row market area is gentler and suitable for those not wanting to enter the kirkyard itself. Good for: Paranormal enthusiasts · Thrill-seekers · Whisky and folklore fans · Repeat Edinburgh visitors wanting something new
Getting there
Where
Venue
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£28.00
Early Bird — 20% off