Podcast Tour Edinburgh The Burke and Hare Murders

Edinburgh, Scotland
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Duration1h 34m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English
Group sizeUp to 99 travelers

Overview

Step into the shadows of 19th-century Edinburgh, a city split between Enlightenment brilliance and desperate, grinding poverty. On this immersive true-crime journey, you will trace the bloody footsteps of William Burke and William Hare, two men who turned murder into a highly profitable business. Discover how the insatiable demands of the medical establishment created a black market for human corpses, and explore the chilling ethical lines crossed in the name of science. This is not just a story of serial killers; it is a tale of class, complicity, and the forgotten victims of the Old Town.

- A 2.7 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 94 min
- Ideal for travelers interested in History & Memory and Social Fabric & Everyday Life
- Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

What's included

  • Verified facts woven into an engaging story
  • Interactive in-app guide for questions about the story and surroundings
  • Precise navigation between the stops
  • Immersive podcast-style audio featuring experts and locals

What to expect

  1. 10m
    The former site of Log's Lodgings in Tanner's Close, where Burke and Hare's infamous murder spree began in 1827.
  2. 10m
    The seat of the High Court of Justiciary where Burke stood trial and Hare secured his controversial immunity.
  3. 10m
    Brass pavement markers near the north end identify the former gallows at Libberton's Wynd where William Burke was publicly hanged.
  4. 10m
    The former location of Dr. Robert Knox's anatomy school, where the murdered bodies were delivered.
  5. 10m
    A museum housing macabre artifacts from the case, including Burke's death mask and a pocketbook made from his skin.
  6. 10m
    The final resting place of William Burke's articulated skeleton, displayed as a permanent punishment.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From Edinburgh Waverley, take local transport toward West Port and walk to 123 West Port, the former entrance area of Tanner's Close.

End point

The tour ends at the Anatomical Museum on Teviot Place. Walk from here to the nearest local transport stop or back toward Waverley station.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Red Thread · Booked through Viator
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