Access For All
We care about access for all at The Real Mary King’s Close and aim to enable as many visitors as possible to enjoy the unique experience of visiting our historic site.
There is free admission for Carers when accompanying visitors with disabilities. Click here to see the accepted forms of ID for a Carer ticket.
We offer 50% off any of our tickets for guests with a visual or hearing impairment. These can be purchased at our Ticket Office on the Royal Mile with an accepted form of ID.
Scroll below for an overview of the accommodations and provisions we have available at the attraction. For more detailed information, please read through our Accessibility Guide.
Due to the historic nature and layout of the site, as well as to protect the health and safety of all of our guests, we would like to make you aware of the following:
- Our knowledgeable team is always on hand to answer any questions, and to explain the site in more detail.
- We have free multi-language audio guides available. If you require audio guides in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish or Hungarian, click here.
- A copy of our script is available for guests with hearing impairment needs. To reserve an e-reader, please email contact@realmarykingsclose.com.
- Due to the historic nature of the site, Mary King’s Close is not wheelchair accessible. However, we do offer support chairs for guests with mobility issues. To organise for a support chair on the tour, please email contact@realmarykingsclose.com.
- As a rule, dogs are not permitted on the tour unless they are an assistance dog. To arrange for your assistance dog to accompany you, please email us at contact@realmarykingsclose.com.
Approach To The Building
- From the street to the main entrance, there is level access. The Royal Mile is sloped, but fairly level at the main door into the attraction.
- The only way to access The Close is via 38 steps leading from the admissions area and exhibition to the rest of the site. Our Coffee House , Gift Shop, and toilets can also be accessed via the Warriston’s Close entrance to the attraction.
The Tour
- There are a total of 58 steps to descend and 38 steps to ascend as part of the tour. There is no lift access unfortunately.
- The character-led experience lasts approximately one hour.
- There is a minimum age limit of 5 for the tour, and children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Due to uneven surfaces and some steep inclines, sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Many areas are dimly lit, and some guests may experience disorientation or claustrophobia.
- Guides are equipped with radios. If you need to leave the tour at any stage, your guide will arrange for a member of the team to take you back upstairs.
