Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

A Journey into Edinburgh’s Darkest Days

Beneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a world frozen in time. Step into the past and uncover the grim reality of The Plague in Edinburgh, an immersive, spine-chilling experience that brings to life the darkest chapter in the city’s history.

It’s the 17th century, and the bubonic plague has taken hold of Edinburgh. Families are locked inside their homes, the sick are left to fend for themselves, and the desperate cling to remedies that seem more terrifying than the disease itself. But how did the people of Mary King’s Close cope? What methods were used to combat the deadly outbreak? And just how much truth is there to the legend of the plague doctor with the beaked mask?

Led by one of our costumed character guides, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour will take you deep into Edinburgh’s underground streets, where you’ll witness the true horrors of the plague years. You’ll meet the city’s infamous plague doctor, discover the real story behind the ‘foul clengers’ who risked their lives to clean infected homes, and learn the shocking details of 17th-century medical treatments—some of which are best left in the past!

With eerie surroundings, expert storytelling, and fascinating historical insights, this one-of-a-kind tour offers an unforgettable glimpse into a time when disease, superstition, and survival shaped the very fabric of the city.

What’s Included?

• A one-hour guided tour through the eerie, underground streets of The Real Mary King’s Close
• Immersive storytelling from costumed character guides, transporting you back to the plague years
• Meet Edinburgh’s plague doctor and learn about the bizarre medical theories and treatments of the time
• Step into the past and experience history in an authentic, atmospheric setting

Dare you face the plague-ridden shadows of The Close? Book your place now and uncover the haunting history of Edinburgh’s most infamous hidden streets.