Edinburgh Dungeon….. We HAVE To Discuss This!
Edinburgh Dungeon, by far one of my MOST anticipated new dungeon experiences here in the UK, but did it live up to how I’d built it up to be in my head?
This February half term we finally mustered up the courage to head north of the border and into Scotland for our first ever visit to Edinburgh, a city I’ve been dying to visit for many, many years!
There were of course many things on the list for our visit including the city’s iconic castle, but top of our list was of course the Edinburgh Dungeon.
Now, as many of you who have followed us here at TPI for a long time will know, we absolutely LOVE The Dungeons! They’re by far some of our favourite, all year round horror attractions here in the UK, but after having visited every one (baring The Castle Dungeon) quite a good few times, the time had finally come to tick this highly anticipated new dungeon experience off our list.
Joining for our first ever experience of the Edinburgh Dungeon was our good friend Chris aka. the one and only legend himself, Coaster Dad.
So, as we arrived and took in our first impressions this iconic attraction I have to say, I was a little taken a back. From the outside the Edinburgh Dungeon doesn’t really look like much. The attraction’s facade is very minimal in theming and the overall presentation feels more a kin to stepping inside a shop on the high street, but once you step over the thresh hold, you soon realise how WRONG you actually were.
Now, the Edinburgh Dungeon features 10 shows in total (which used to include a boat ride, however that one is sadly longer part of the line up due to operational reasons). There are of course the three standard shows expected from any dungeon attraction, but here in Edinburgh these are presented a little…. differently.
“The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh’s darkest history, using live actors, theatrical sets and thrilling rides. “
As you begin your tour you’re invited to have your usual photograph op, but what comes before this is a real first impression of what lies ahead. The Edinburgh Dungeon is highly themed and immersive from the get go with visitors stepping into what feels like an old medieval street whilst they queue.
This is however only the beginning of your dark and treacherous journey into the bowels of the city’s twisted and murderous history.
Now, I’m not going to give too much away here as I really don’t want to spoil the experience for others, however don’t worry, I will provide a few tasty details along the way (after all, that’s what you came here for right? Spoilers? haha).
The Edinburgh Dungeon begins the same way the Alton Towers Dungeon did, in the courtroom with a grotesque judicial tyrant of eras gone by passing sentences on unsuspecting victims. The crimes range from ‘whisky spilling’ to witchcraft & the judge passes each sentence with a twisted sense of satisfaction each time.
Throughout this scene a surprise character makes an appearance leading guests onto the next show – The Witch. Now then, THIS has to be by far, one of THE most unique Dungeon Shows I’ve come across so far. No spoilers here, however suffice to say you won’t have seen this at ANY other dungeon. The delivery of the script is very well executed and the effects contained within this show (as well as the overall format) leave a true lasting impression on all who visit.
After a daring escape lucky survivors make their way deeper into the bowels of the Edinburgh Dungeon for the second of the attraction’s traditional shows – the Torturer. Here, we encountered a fun little pre-show with a jailer who lead us downwards towards the main antagonist, Edinburgh Dungeon’s blunt and very loud spoken torturer. This particular show runs as you’d expect with the usual gags, demeaning of the chosen victim and of course, the cage.
Following being ‘tortured’ guests then make their way towards what would’ve initially been the boat ride (themed around local cannibals Sawney Bean & his depraved family). Here we embark on a daring quest deep into the heart of Sawney Bean’s lair (a makeshift themed path around the boat ride surrounded by dark fabric coverings and additional interactive theming elements). Once through guests enter a 360 degree set and a show featuring 2 actors, some great additional effects and surprises. This was by far one of the most impressive shows at Edinburgh Dungeon in our opinion.
Next up, we have the ‘Anatomy Theatre’ (Edinburgh Dungeon’s unique take on the traditional plague doctor show). Here we enter the heart of a traditional anatomy theatre where we hear all about how Cadavers were creatively acquired for ‘medical purposes’ through trade with Scotland’s legendary body snatching duo – Burke and Hare. This then leads on to a show featuring the two in the same format as Alton Towers Dungeon’s Dick Turpin show. The build up and delivery features a similar feel to that of Sweeney Todd at the London Dungeon.
After surviving Burke and Hare those ‘still with us’ are lead into the heart of a plague ridden street – the notorious Mary King’s Close. This show features a mix of different elements including interactive animatronics, a detailed set, screens and of course, a live actor. The whole show lasts around 5 minutes and features some great use of special effects to really chill the bones and deliver a show not seen in any other UK dungeon attraction (to our knowledge).
It’s then time for a Ghost Story. Here we enter the heart of a haunted castle (the set for which felt very claustrophobic) where we are regaled with the story of a two lovers, the mistresses husband and their untimely demise. Now, personally given just how much this show includes and how well timed everything is, it has to be one of the BEST ‘ghost shows’ currently operating at any dungeon we’ve visited. practical effects mixed with some very cleverly timed light drops and actor timing help to deliver a chilling, yet extremely impressive performance.
Finally it’s time to face “Drop Dead” – the dungeon brand’s traditional indoor drop tower ride themed to being hanged for your heinous and downright devious crimes. You know the drill – you’re strapped in, sent upwards, sentenced to death and then you plunge back towards the ground below. Fun, forceful and a fun little addition to any dungeon attraction.
Exit via the mirror labyrinth? hang on, what? Yep, instead of this disorientating labyrinth featuring at some point throughout your experience you instead exit via it at the end. This seemed a bit strange to us? Given, it is of course themed to the Edinburgh Vaults, but still, we definitely feel this should have been placed elsewhere rather than at the end.
After this, your journey through the Edinburgh Dungeon is at an end. The whole experience on average lasts around 70 minutes from beginning to end and feels well worth the price of admission in our opinion. We were also very surprised at just how BIG the Edinburgh Dungeon actually is inside.
So….. is it worth the money and a visit whilst in Edinburgh? ABSOLUTELY!! The Edinburgh Dungeon mixes intricately themed sets, great acting and a brilliant variety of different shows to deliver a dark yet amusing journey into the city’s black and murky history.
There are also a few shows not yet seen at any other UK dungeon too which we absolutely loved, but the absence of the boat ride definitely took away from it a little sadly. We’d been looking forward to experiencing this for ourselves, but were aware this wouldn’t likely be operating when we visited so it wasn’t a total disappointment.
The rest of the attraction definitely makes up for it though with the witch show and the Sawney Bean show being our two favourite shows overall. The show that lacked in our opinion was the Judge at the beginning as the casting didn’t quite feel right and the one delivering it didn’t seem to bring the level of malice you’d expect from the character. That being said though we had a fantastic first visit overall.
Now, the ultimate question – does Edinburgh BEAT York? For the experience and variety yes, but for the level of acting, no. The two attractions feature very different setups and their locations definitely lend to their individuality, but Edinburgh definitely felt the stronger attraction of the two in our opinion.
Overall Edinburgh brings a fresh new approach to the classic dungeon attraction delivering a chilling yet humorous journey through some of Edinburgh’s darkest times without being ‘too dark’ at the same time. So, next time you find yourself in Edinburgh why not swing by and give it a try? You won’t regret it traitor, or will you? Mwahahahahahaa!!!