We’ve been alternately curious and skeptical about the Edinburgh Dungeon since we moved to town, so when we were invited to check it out, we gave it a go. Located around the corner from the train station, the entrance to the Dungeon looks a bit like a spooky Disney ride (in a good way). Visitors descend down into the darkness for 80 minutes of entertainment.
You’re put into a group of around 20 people and guided from room to room by enthusiastic actors portraying various characters from the more gruesome bits of Scotland’s history. Appearances are made by William Wallace, Burke and Hare, and a fascinating cave-dwelling family of incestuous cannibals, among others.
While we enjoyed parts of the experience, we concluded that the Dungeon wasn’t quite our thing. Neither of us is easily spooked, so even with our best efforts at disbelief suspension, we never got the fun feeling of being scared. While I was curious to learn more about the gruesome stories, I would have just as soon read up about them (which reminds me – read the stories on the walls in the area where you’re waiting for the tour to begin – interesting stuff!). The visitors who seemed to enjoy the Dungeon the most by far were the kids on the tour.
No photos are allowed in the Dungeon, but they do take a couple of fun staged photos of your group which can be viewed and purchased at the end of your tour.
Who should go? The prime audience for the Edinburgh Dungeon seems to be families with young, scareable kids (and given the references to Scottish history, you can totally count this as an educational outing). Adults who are easily spooked (and enjoy it) would also have a good time here.
Who should skip it? Claustrophobes (the spaces are tight at time, and there’s a lot of being herded around in a group).
If you’re headed to the Dungeon, you’ll likely want to purchase tickets online in advance. This saves you money and also keeps you from having to queue when you arrive.