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Haunting

Edinburgh Vaults

Underground chambers beneath Edinburgh's South Bridge became home to the city's poorest, then its criminals. Body snatchers worked here. Serial killers Burke and Hare hunted here. The dead never left.

1788 - Present
Edinburgh, Scotland
10000+ witnesses

The Edinburgh Vaults are among Scotland’s most haunted locations.

The History

According to historical records:

The Vaults:

  • Built 1788 with South Bridge
  • 19 arches
  • Became workshops, storage
  • Then slums
  • Finally abandoned

The Darkness

What happened there:

  • Poorest citizens lived in darkness
  • No light, no ventilation
  • Disease rampant
  • Crime flourished
  • Horrors occurred

Burke and Hare

The serial killers:

  • Operated in Edinburgh 1828
  • Murdered 16 people
  • Sold bodies to doctors
  • Hunted in these areas
  • Terror in the dark

The Hauntings

Reported phenomena:

  • Mr. Boots (heavy footsteps)
  • The Watcher
  • Child spirits
  • Physical touches
  • Stone throwing

The Cobbler

One famous ghost:

  • Sound of hammering
  • Cobbler’s workshop was here
  • Still working
  • Never stopped
  • Heard regularly

Modern Tours

Today:

  • Regular ghost tours
  • High activity
  • Scratches on visitors
  • Hair pulling
  • Very physical hauntings

Scientific Interest

Researchers note:

  • Unusual readings
  • Temperature anomalies
  • EMF spikes
  • Stone tape theory
  • Ongoing investigation

Sources