The Cadies & Witchery Tours

Junk in the trunk: the Bum Tree

While conducting our afternoon walking tours around Greyfriars Cemetery, we have noticed an intriguing new local ritual unfolding before our very eyes. According to a certain Tour Guide (who will remain nameless), it is good luck to "slap the bum tree". A number of tour groups are now pausing at this tree, situated near the Flodden Wall, whereupon the Tour Guide encourages guests to slap the tree three times for good luck. This may sound completely nutty; however, perhaps we do not need to look far beyond the gates of the Kirkyard for clues as to the inspiration of this new custom.

Happy Anniversary Ghosts & Gore Tour

Alan Devereux and ghostly characters at launch of The Ghosts & Gore Tour, 1987

June 2022 marks the 35th Anniversary of our Ghosts & Gore Tour.

On This Day... 1 May 1590: Home James, and don't spare the witches

Niels Hemmingsen, James IV and Anne of Denmark

On this day in 1590, King James VI of Scotland -- later also James I of England and Ireland -- made landfall at the port of Leith, after a perilous homeward voyage from his unplanned honeymoon in Denmark.

Leslie Balfour-Melville: Scotland's greatest-ever sportsman?

Melville family tomb in Greyfriars cemetery

Our ongoing research into the history of Greyfriars cemetery has uncovered a number of fascinating characters buried in the kirkyard, and it's interesting to note that not all of these residents date back to the 17th or 18th centuries. One such later arrival is Leslie Balfour-Melville, who was buried in the graveyard in 1937. In some sporting circles, Balfour-Melville has been described as Scotland's greatest ever sportsman.

Walking Victorian Britain

Robin Mitchell showing Dr Onyeka Nubia a mortsafe in Greyfriars cemetery

Our co-founder Robin Mitchell appeared in the fourth episode of the Channel 5 documentary series Walking Victorian Britain.

The Mad Monk on a Skateboard

The Mad Monk of the Cowgate with his very own skateboard

The Mad Monk of the Cowgate has turned his attentions to a new hobby: skateboarding.

Welcome Back

Aexander Clapperton (deceased) and the Mad Monk of the Cowgate ready for a safe tour

Well, that was a long lunchbreak. Four months! My goodness me, that is a long time for the ghosts to be cooped up inside. So, like many of us, we are looking forward to getting back out onto the streets of Edinburgh.

Our walking tours will initially run on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays until we gauge what the demand for the tours will be.

Tiers for fears

And so Christmas 2020 approaches at high speed, which must mean 2021 is just around the corner.

Halloween 2020: 35 Years Later

Alexander Clapperton in front of the Witchery Tours shop

As Halloween looms, we are preparing ourselves for what will be the most surreal 31st October we've experienced since 1985. Can you believe it? Thirty-five years of ghoulish endeavours in the Old Town of Edinburgh on what was always our busiest night of the year.

Introducing the Greyfriars Cemetery Tour

Chalmers and Cunningham tombs, Greyfriars Cemetery

The summer of 2020 was a surreal experience for all of us.

It was a double-edged sword for tourist guides as tourism ground to a halt. The upside, however, was an eerily quiet capital city to explore; including Greyfriars cemetery, which was a joy to wander through as the kirkyard was as silent as its long-term occupants.

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