Edinburgh Dungeons

A couple of weeks ago I was invited along to the Edinburgh Dungeons where they were previewing their new 'Deadly Diseases' show for Easter. Having not been to The Dungeons since I was about fourteen I was really looking forward to the night with some of my fellow Edinburgh blogger ladies. The 'getting scared' aspect of the evening hadn't really crossed my mind until I got there and others were making comments about their nerves (Oh yeah, this could be scary!), I actually thought I would be alright with things like this. Well so I thought! ...

The 80 minute tour consisting of 11 different shows, starts in a courtroom where some (unlucky) individuals are chosen to take to the stand and plead guilty to their crimes. From there, as punishment, you will be lead deeper into the heart of underground Edinburgh. The tour explores the historical streets of the city, taking you through a grave yard where you might find Burke and Hare looking for their next victim, and to meet The Green Lady, one of Edinburgh's greatest ghosts. The 'Deadly Diseases' event for Easter is incorporated with a new character in the form of the barber-surgeon (will you brave the barbers chair?!) and looks at the deadly diseases whilst exploring the underground streets of a plague ridden Edinburgh. A section of the tour focuses on the story of Sawney Bean and his carnivorous family who prey on travellers for their next meal. You will be taken on a dark boat ride through the caves of Galloway to find the family (the one section of the tour where I literally screamed!), and when you do, taken to their cave to discover what they do with their victims...and which parts are the tastiest! Nearing the end of the tour you find yourself down at The Grassmarket as a crowd have gathering to watch your hanging. The intense Drop Ride (one of my favourite parts of the tour) gives your stomach an instant sinking feeling, giving the illusion of being hung with the realistic sound effects of breaking necks.

On completion of the tour you will arrive in the new market street gift shop (appropriately named as Edinburgh Dungeons is located on Market Street)! This unique shopping experience gives the illusion of shopping in the cobbled streets of an old market town with gifts displayed on rickety old carts and rat invested boxes. This really helps to continue the whole historical and theatrical dungeons experience right to the very end of your visit.

We were treated really well by all the staff at the dungeons which made it a great evening. Being provided with some food and a glass of wine on our completion of the tour, as well as a sample of gin from the guys at The Gin Bothy on our arrival, were lovely little finishing touches. We also left with a generous goodie bag of pieces from 'market street' such as a tin of Torturous Toffee and a pen with a hidden map of Edinburgh in it (clearly I now have the best pen at work!).

The whole experience is extremely; entertaining, educational, funny, scary...and really quite intense!! The acting, set, costumes, lighting and props throughout the whole tour are flawlessly realistic and really draw you into all the stories and the history, keeping you on each the whole time! I do hope I've not given too much away because it's definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something to do in Edinburgh this Easter, especially when the weather is so poor. I know I'll definitely be back to this award winning visitor attraction with my friends and family soon and really thank The Dungeons for letting me in to review! 

The 'Deadly Diseases'  tour is on until the 10th of April. 

Book your tickets at thedungeons.com/edinburgh.