Breathing Vaults Haunting
Deep beneath the streets of Edinburgh, in the damp and eerie vaults of South Bridge, a strange and unsettling phenomenon has been captured on record. It's here that participants in experiments carried out by Dr Richard Wiseman reported experiencing inexplicable occurrences. One person was overcome with emotion, reduced to tears after hearing the unmistakable sound of heavy breathing in an empty room. The atmosphere was thick with tension as the sound seemed to reverberate through every cell, leaving the individual shaken. This was not an isolated incident; another person claimed to have seen a ghostly figure clad in an apron walking past, a fleeting glimpse that left more questions than answers.
Historically, the South Bridge vaults date back to the 18th century, a network of underground tunnels and chambers built to provide storage and workshops for the bustling streets above. Over time, these hidden spaces have accumulated a reputation for paranormal activity. The experiments conducted by Dr Wiseman in April 2000 were part of a broader investigation into claims of hauntings in these vaults. The fact that multiple witnesses reported similar experiences lends credibility to the accounts, suggesting that there may be more to these vaults than meets the eye. While the true nature of these events remains a mystery, they contribute to the rich tapestry of paranormal folklore that surrounds this historic location.
18th-century subterranean vaults
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Chimney Sweep Ghost
Nicol Edwards Public House, Edinburgh
The Nicol Edwards Public House on Niddry Street in Edinburgh's Old Town is home to a tragic and unsettling presence. A young chimney sweep managed to get trapped behind the old chimney stacks and suffocated, leaving behind a restless spirit. Patrons and staff have reported strange sightings and experiences, unaware of the history behind the haunting. The atmosphere in the pub can be quite eerie, especially in the evenings when shadows cast a gloomy spell.
Crying Child Ghost
Corn Exchange Public House, Edinburgh
Deep in Edinburgh's historic heart, the Corn Exchange Public House stands as a hub of paranormal activity. Staff have reported strange occurrences that point to the presence of a restless spirit - that of a crying infant. The sound of its wails echoes through the pub, accompanied by inexplicable cold gusts of wind and flickering lights. It's a haunting that leaves many wondering about the story behind this troubled child.
Edinburgh Waterloo Place Haunting
Building along Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Waterloo Place in Edinburgh has a reputation for being one of the city's most haunted locations. A heating engineer working on the site in 1997 reported a series of bizarre incidents that left him shaken. He claimed to have heard footsteps echoing through the empty corridors after everyone else had left for the day. Tools and equipment would go missing, only to reappear in strange places. The engineer also reported experiencing cold spots and finding his keys removed from their hooks.
Edinburgh Waterloo Place Footsteps
Property along Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Waterloo Place in Edinburgh has a reputation for being one of the city's most haunted locations. It all started in an empty building along this street, where a workman reported hearing footsteps running on the floor above. He investigated, but found no one. The sound seemed to vanish into thin air. Returning to work, he heard the footsteps again a short time later. It was as if someone was trying to make their presence known.
Edinburgh Ghostly Footsteps
Seventeenth century house near Dean Bridge, Edinburgh
This unassuming seventeenth century house near Dean Bridge in Edinburgh is home to a rather intriguing ghostly presence. Locals have reported hearing footsteps and the sound of a front door opening, seemingly by an invisible force. The entity apparently makes its presence known by ascending the staircase, creating an unsettling atmosphere for those who have experienced it. Although details are scarce, the haunting has been documented as occurring in the 1950s, leaving one to wonder about the history behind this paranormal activity.
Ghostly Security Guard Haunting
Building on Leith Docks, Edinburgh
This old building on Leith Docks in Edinburgh is said to be haunted by the ghost of a security guard. The story goes that a painter working alone in the building heard a door open and footsteps walking through the empty halls. When he investigated, he found no one. It was as if the ghostly security guard was going about his rounds, completely unaware that he was no longer alive. The painter was understandably shaken by the experience, and it's not hard to see why - who wouldn't be startled by the sound of footsteps in an empty building?
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Vaults beneath South Bridge
