PACKED FULL OF HISTORY
(400 YEARS TO BE PRECISE)
Experience The Close
Experience history through the eyes of the people who lived it. The Real Mary King’s Close is hidden beneath the characteristic and lively streets of Edinburgh’s busiest thoroughfare – The Royal Mile.
Step down onto the streets beneath The Royal Mile to travel back in time with one of The Close’s former residents…
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Discover the real history of the people who lived, worked, and died here throughout the centuries.
Shrouded in myths and mysteries, The Real Mary King’s Close and its warren of streets, homes, and winding passageways offer a truly unique 5-star visitor experience…
THE RESIDENTS
READ MORETHE RESIDENTS
“Gardyloo!” Hear the stories of The Real Mary King’s Close from one of the former residents who lived, worked and died there. From the richest of the rich, to the poorest of the poor, there is a wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered from the people who knew the closes of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town best.
THE PLAGUE
READ MORETHE PLAGUE
In 1645, Edinburgh experienced the worst outbreak of the plague in its history. Due to the crowded living conditions of the closes in the Old Town, sickness spread rapidly through the homes of its residents. Learn about the nature of the disease and the ordinary people who risked their lives to treat those who became infected.
SPECIAL TOURS
READ MORESPECIAL TOURS
Take a deeper dive into a key historical moment, community or industry on a special tour. Check our What’s On page to discover what’s happening now, or book a private experience separately. Expect to hear untold stories about real people who helped Edinburgh to thrive and innovate through the centuries.
ANNIE'S ROOM
READ MOREANNIE’S ROOM
Our 17th century house is not all that it seems. During a visit to The Real Mary King’s Close, a Japanese psychic named Aiko Gibo made contact with the spirit of a small child. Join our Standard 1-Hour Tour to discover the truth behind Annie’s Room, and why a mysterious pile of dolls grows there by the day.
FOLLOW A FORMER RESIDENT
TO DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF MARY KING’S CLOSE
Begin your tour from our Admissions Office on The Royal Mile. Then, descend into the underground to discover a warren of streets below. Your guide will lead you through over 400 years of history as you wander through former homes and shops that once brimmed with activity and trade. Find out who Mary King was, get under the skin of the plague and meet royal visitors…
SPECIAL TOUR
EXPERIENCE HISTORY FROM A HIDDEN PERSPECTIVE
Take a deeper dive into a key historical moment, community or industry on a special tour. Visit in March to join a Herstory Tour for Women’s History Month. In June, celebrate LGBTQIA+ community life in Edinburgh on a Pride History Tour.
Experience The Close after-dark on a Lantern Led Tour in October. Or, have a dram on one of our insightful whisky tours. Expect to hear untold stories about real people who helped Edinburgh to thrive and innovate through the centuries.
Check our What’s On page to discover what’s happening now, or book a private experience separately.
THE REAL MARY KING’S CLOSE ONLINE SHOP
Visit our new online shop to discover quirky and unique gifts
At The Real Mary King’s Close, we’ve been hard at work re-launching our online shop, just in time for Christmas. Our team has carefully curated our best and most-loved products straight from our Burgh Courtroom Gift Shop. The best part? They’re all available for delivery in the UK (and even the US for our Ducktor fans)!
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Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation
Available on Saturdays throughout the year
Dr Arnott trained at the Royal College for Physicians and Surgeons and specialised in internal medicine. His favourite method of diagnosis was to analyse his patients’ urine samples through their smell, colour and… TASTE.
Think you have what it takes to become one of his medical students? Join Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation experience today!
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