A 'Must-play' for Escape Room Enthusiasts in Edinburgh
Story-driven puzzles and meticulously crafted environments - you won't want to miss this!
Planning a trip to Edinburgh and want to ensure you fit in the very best escape room experiences the city has to offer? Discover why experienced escapers consistently praise Escape The Past, and our unique themes based on the city’s fascinatingly dark history!
Why Enthusiasts love Escape The Past:
You’ve cracked countless codes; escaped from jails, jungles, and even spaceships. But have you solved a medical mystery in the body-snatching capital of the world? Or outsmarted the sinister real-life inspiration for Jekyll & Hyde? ...now's your chance!
Welcome to Escape The Past - Edinburgh’s historical escape room experiences, designed by puzzle purists, for players who demand immersion, flow, and originality…
No Generic Settings. No Clichés.
Step into authentic historical spaces with detailed period set dressing, integrated narratives, and rich world-building. All our rooms are inspired by real events from Edinburgh’s dark past.
Ranked Among the UK’s Top Escape Rooms
Escape The Past are consistently ranked among the top escape rooms in Edinburgh and The UK. We’ve won numerous awards from industry bloggers and enthusiasts websites.
Highly Logical, Story-Led Puzzles
Expect clever signposting, satisfying progression, layered challenges and the odd… unexpected surprise! Did we mention live actors..?
Atmospheric & Immersive
We aim to capture the sights, sounds, sensations and even the smells of old Edinburgh! Nothing breaks the illusion - the room is the story.
Private Bookings, Always.
Every experience is exclusive to your group. You’ll never be joined by strangers so you can fully focus on getting in the zone!
In the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town
We’re located in Nicolson Square, just a few minutes walk from the Royal Mile, easily accessible to visiting enthusiasts and not far from other escape room venues in the city.
Choose Your Escape Experience:
The Anatomist
DURATION:
1 hour
PLAYERS:
2-8
DIFFICULTY:
3/5
AGES:
12+*
A multi-award winning escape game set on the edge of Edinburgh's old surgical district. Descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you enter the study of a 19th century anatomist to unearth a thrilling mystery...
Learn MoreThe Deacon's Cabinet
DURATION:
1 hour
PLAYERS:
2-6
DIFFICULTY:
4/5
AGES:
10+*
A historical heist escape room which challenges you to outsmart the infamous Deacon William Brodie - Edinburgh's favourite villain, and the inspiration for Jekyll & Hyde. Can you unlock the mysteries of The Deacon's cabinet and discover his ill-gotten fortune before the noose tightens?
Learn MoreA Trail of Burke & Hare
DURATION:
2 hours
PLAYERS:
2-30
DIFFICULTY:
2/5
AGES:
8+*
A body has been discovered in The Cowgate with wounds eerily reminiscent of a dark period of Edinburgh’s past… The path ahead descends through the city's very darkest history.
Follow the trail, decipher the clues and, if you dare, follow in the bloody footsteps of Edinburgh's infamous 19th century serial killers: Burke and Hare...
Award Winning Edinburgh Escape Rooms
The Anatomist escape room at Escape The Past Edinburgh has received multiple awards from enthusiast sites & industry bodies, placing us among the UK's best escape rooms...
What Enthusiasts Say:
“I've been to A LOT of escape rooms over the years and this room rates highly up there! Excellent props and perfectly-creepy atmosphere, well-balanced and rewarding puzzles, but most importantly of all, an engaging (and entertaining) games master, who was in character the whole time and very attentive to our game. Shout-out to Beth! Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable game that left me in stitches and smiles”
Tessa K. | GOOGLE REVIEWS
“We've done over 60 escape rooms and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Oliver was an excellent GM.”
Michelle D. | GOOGLE REVIEWS
“Best escape room I've played in Edinburgh! Immersive, historical, great puzzles and decors. Thank you Beth for the amazing experience! We recommend it 100%, for beginners as well as for confirmed players.”
Lisa J. | GOOGLE REVIEWS
“The Anatomist has been one of those rooms I recommend to just about everyone visiting Edinburgh, and I’m glad Escape the Past has another one I can recommend just as wholeheartedly!”
Mari N. | THE ESCAPE ROOMER
FAQs for Escape Room Enthusiasts...
What’s the difficulty level like?
We give each of our rooms a difficulty rating out for 5. ‘The Anatomist’ is rated 3/5 ‘The Deacon’s Cabinet’ 4/5. Our outdoor escape room 'A Trail of Burke & Hare' is great fun but on the easier end of the difficulty spectrum 2/5.
Do you have a leaderboard?
Yes! We maintain a blackboard in our reception which displays the top teams that month and all time so you'll be well aware of the room's record. Reckon your team could be a contender?
How does the clue system work?
Your team will be assigned a dedicated gamesmaster who will remain in character throughout your experience (complete with period dress!). They’ll typically interject with subtle clues and nudges only when required. If you’d prefer to play with no clues at all, please make this clear during your briefing.
Are your rooms linear or non linear?
All our escape rooms combine both linear and non linear sections. In general ‘The Anatomist’ is the more open of our two rooms, while 'The Deacon’s Cabinet’ has fewer parallel paths. Our outdoor escape room 'City Trail' is entirely linear.
Do your rooms include padlocks or electronic puzzles?
We take great care when developing our puzzles and storylines. All our rooms combine a number of period-appropriate locks as well as subtly disguised electronic puzzles and immersive special effects.
Can I play both rooms back-to-back?
Yes! Many enthusiasts do. Contact us if you'd like help coordinating the room start times and we’ll see what we can do.
Do you permit solo players?
We understand that some travelling enthusiasts want to take on an escape room all on their own - we’re always impressed by this and do permit solo players provided they’re happy to pay our minimum room fee (2 players). Please add a note to the “special assistance” box at checkout to let us know you’ll be playing a room by yourself.
Still have a question? Please Contact Us and we'd be delighted to help you perfect escape room trip!
Book Now