Edinburgh Dungeon facts for kids
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| Location | 31 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DF |
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| Public transit access | Edinburgh Waverley station |
The Edinburgh Dungeon is an exciting underground attraction in Edinburgh, Scotland. It uses live actors and thrilling rides to bring scary and fun parts of Scottish history to life. Visitors get to interact with the shows, enjoy special effects, and see amazing theatrical sets. The shows are known for their funny, slightly dark humor, which is a signature of all Dungeon attractions.
History of the Dungeon
The Edinburgh Dungeon first opened its doors in 2000. It was created by Nick Varney, who founded Vardon Attractions (now called Merlin Entertainments). The idea was similar to the famous London Dungeon. In the early days, shows featured characters like Vikings, the Scottish hero William Wallace, and the infamous duo Burke and Hare. There were also scenes showing Edinburgh's old alleyways, known as 'closes,' during times of plague.
Over the years, the Dungeon has added new and exciting shows. These include "Witch Hunt," which is based on the witch trials of the mid-1600s. Another popular show is about the legend of Sawney Bean, a famous family said to have lived in a cave in Galloway for many years.
What to Expect Inside
The Edinburgh Dungeon offers 11 different shows, features 15 actors, and has 2 thrilling rides. As you walk through, you'll journey through 500 years of Edinburgh's past. You'll meet actors playing some of the city's most well-known characters, such as Agnes Finnie, Burke & Hare, Sawney Bean, and The Green Lady Elizabeth Elphinstone.
The shows take place on detailed theatrical sets with cool special effects. You might experience shaking floors, spinning walls, things that seem to float, and sudden blasts of air! The shows cover historical events like the Plague and the witch trials. You'll also meet characters like 'The Foul Clenger' (who cleaned up during the Plague) and 'The Judge.' Guests are always encouraged to join in the fun and participate in the shows.
One of the highlights is the "Drop Ride to Doom." This is a free-fall ride that feels like a historical execution scene, giving you a thrilling drop!
In November 2016, the Edinburgh Dungeon had a big makeover. They spent over £500,000 to add new areas and improve existing shows. This included building a special steel structure for their "Witch Hunt" show. This show features Agnes Finnie and a character called the Witch 'Pricker,' who tries to get her to confess. The show uses many special effects, some of which were a world first when they were installed!
Other Dungeon Attractions
The Edinburgh Dungeon is part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, a big company that runs many attractions. It is one of eight "Dungeons" located across Europe. Other Dungeons you can visit include The Amsterdam Dungeon, Berlin Dungeon, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, The Castle Dungeon at Warwick Castle, Hamburg Dungeon, and the York Dungeon.
