Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
Outdoor escape game
The Haunting File: Edinburgh — The Old Town After Dark
A QUESTO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Play at your pace · usually 90 min 2.3 km Edinburgh App-guided
Play in
English
The adventure
About this quest
The city feels older tonight. Heavier. Like something has been waiting a very long time for someone to come asking.
You've been recruited by the Bureau of Otherworldly Observation, and Agent Howl is handing you your first case: a district full of the dead, and a file nobody has ever managed to close.
Thirteen stops. Thirteen things this city would rather you didn't look at too closely. Some of them are waiting for you.
The dead here were real people, and they remember what the plaques leave out. Ask the right questions and they'll tell you. Ask the wrong ones and you'll find out why the file is still open.
Keep your phone torch handy. You'll want it. 🕯️
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Starting at the Witches Well, this 2.3 km Old Town walk passes Deacon Brodie's Tavern, the Greyfriars Bobby statue and St Giles across 13 stops in about 90 minutes. Couples and friends who like ghost stories and dark history can solve its puzzles on their own schedule. Choose another walk if you want a guide to question, or if tales of real dead people would frighten your children.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
👻 Thirteen Stops – Let's hope thirteen isn't unlucky.
🔍 Clues Hidden in Plain Sight – Everything you need is out there in the streets, if you're brave enough to look closely.
🎭 Get Your Crew Together – Bring someone to grab onto.
🌙 Better After Dark – Much better. Keep your phone torch ready, in case something moves.
📖 The Real History Underneath – Uncover the stories behind the streets you thought you knew.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
The real-world playing space
Edinburgh
A · Start
555 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK
B · Finish
High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Setting
- This quest
- An outdoor route through the city
- Escape room
- An indoor setting designed for the game
2 / 4
Playing together
- This quest
- Use your own phones to team up or compete
- Escape room
- Solve challenges together in the room
3 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Check this quest’s playing modes and access hours
- Escape room
- Usually a booked session with a time limit
4 / 4
Price
- This quest
- Choose device access above to see your total
- Escape room
- Prices and group sizes vary by venue
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is this like an outdoor escape room in Edinburgh?
It works like one spread across the Old Town. Your phone leads you between thirteen stops, tells the story of each place and sets a puzzle you solve using what is in front of you. There is no room to book and no time slot, so you start whenever you like.
Does the route pass the Greyfriars Bobby statue?
Yes. The statue of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous dog, is one of the thirteen stops. The route also takes in St Giles and the Mercat Cross, John Knox House, the Tron Kirk, Deacon Brodie's Tavern and the Covenanters' Memorial.
Where does it start and how long does it take?
The walk starts at the Witches Well and covers about 2.3 km of the Old Town. Allow around 90 minutes for the thirteen stops, including time to listen to the stories and work out the puzzles. You can pause and carry on later if you need a break.
Do we need to book a time, and can we play as a group?
There is no set start time and no guide to meet, so you can begin whenever suits you, day or evening. One ticket covers your whole group, up to the number of devices stated, and you play together at your own pace.
Is it all outdoors, and what if it rains?
It is an outdoor walk through Old Town streets, closes and churchyards, so dress for the weather. If the rain gets heavy, you can pause the game, shelter or head off, and pick up where you left off later.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Edinburgh
