Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour: Access Review.

We were in Edinburgh last year and wanted to do a ghost tour. Unfortunately, most ghost tours require the ability to stand and walk for an hour plus.

At the time Bob was still switching between using a walking stick and a rollator depending on his energy levels and practicality, he was still unable to stand for extended periods of time and required frequent stops to rest so keeping up with a walking tour was near impossible, and that's on flat ground! So when we heard about the Ghost Bus Tours we thought they could be the perfect solution for us.

The Tour.

The tour was fun, informative and just the right side of scary. The host was superb and gave a detailed account of the darker sides of Edinburgh as we passed the various places of interest. There are up to three tours per evening running at 6pm, 7:30pm and 9pm and each lasts for approximately 75 minutes. The tour used a mix of storytelling and visual effects to entertain us which we enjoyed a lot. The theming inside the bus was wonderful, it really gave an indicator of what was to come.

🎟️ Booking.

We pre-booked online which was simple enough but there is no option to book a carer/companion ticket online (a quick google suggests it may be possible to book one by phoning customer services). We found our tickets on Wowcher which saved us 50% off the regular ticket price at the time. Whilst these tours do book up in advance we were fortunate to find availability for the following day.

ℹ️ Accessible Information Availability.

There is no access info online other than to say that due to the nature of the transport used (1960s route master buses) the tour is not wheelchair accessible (including for folding and storing). Under the FAQ: Is it scary? There is a comment stating "Passengers should be prepared for jump scares, loud noises, and atmospheric smoke effects" but the lack of accessible section means having to hunt around and collect accessibility clues to determine whether the tour is suitable or not.

🩼 Mobility.

There are 2 steps to get on the bus (each about 30cm) and the aisles are narrow. There is little leg room. The tour includes stops (which may vary due to time constraints) to get off the bus and listen to some more history of the area focusing on local hauntings and the darker side of Edinburgh's history. At one of the stops, St Cuthbert's, there are around 17 steps to enter the graveyard.

🎧 Sensory.

This was an interactive tour led by Tommy Terror. A video plays on board and tells of a ghost aboard the bus. The bus is softly lit inside, but the lights do go out and a smoke machine is used. There are loud noises throughout the journey. The tours are small accommodating around 50 people at max capacity. There is no touching by the actors.

🚽 Toilets.

There are no toilet facilities available during the tour or at any stops made.

☕️ Food and Drink.

There are no food or drink facilities available on the bus although the pick up and drop off points are on the George IV bridge which has many restaurants, cafe's and bars on it.

🪑 Rest Opportunities.

There is seating on the bus but none available at the stops.

🦻 Hearing Loop.

None available.

📖 Visual Guides.

None available.

Our verdict.

The tour was a great way to spend an evening. It was entertaining and informative. Unfortunately the lack of information regarding accessibility and the inability to book a companion ticket at the time of booking really lets the tour down and could easily be a barrier to people feeling confident that the tour meets their needs safely.

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