Have you walked Real Mary King’s Close? – Underground Edinburgh
Real Mary King’s Close is an incredible, underground attraction in Edinburgh, Scotland that transports visitors back to 17th century Scotland. Located in the heart of Old Town, the Real Mary King’s Close is a narrow lane (known as a ‘close’) that was once part of everyday life until it disappeared in the 18th century. Today, visitors can venture underground and explore this hidden history as they learn about life in 17th-century Scotland and hear stories of ghosts that supposedly haunt the place.
What Guides Don’t Tell You About Real Mary King’s Close
Real Mary King’s Close is one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions and genuinely worth visiting. But the experience depends heavily on timing, expectations, and which guide you get. Here’s what the brochure leaves out.
- Book the earliest morning slot — the atmosphere is completely different. The underground streets are genuinely eerie at 10am with small groups. By afternoon, groups overlap, voices echo off the walls, and the atmosphere evaporates. Morning visits feel like exploration; afternoon visits feel like a theme park queue.
- It’s not as deep underground as you might expect. Many visitors arrive expecting catacombs. The Close is actually a series of 17th-century streets that were built over when the Royal Exchange was constructed above. You’re walking at what was once street level — the city simply grew over the top.
- Ask your guide about the plague history — they know far more than the script covers. The standard tour hits the highlights, but the guides are trained historians who genuinely love the subject. A question about the 1645 plague outbreak or the tanning industry will unlock stories the script doesn’t include.
- Combine it with a walk down the actual closes of the Royal Mile. After the tour, walk the Royal Mile and duck into the open closes — Advocate’s Close, Riddle’s Court, Lady Stair’s Close. They’re free, open to the public, and give you a sense of what Edinburgh’s hidden passages look like above ground.
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Walking through Real Mary King’s Close is a journey into Edinburgh‘s past, with every step offering an insight into how people lived centuries ago. The close is lined with several houses and rooms, each one showing a glimpse of what life was like in this era. Visitors will be taken back centuries as they explore the alleyways, passageways and cellars that make up this hidden world.
The Real Mary King’s Close also gives visitors an insight into the local folklore surrounding Edinburgh. Many believe that the close is haunted by the ghosts of its inhabitants from centuries past, making it a fascinating place to explore. Stories abound of ghostly sightings, creepy sounds and unusual activities in the close, adding an extra layer of mystery and suspense to your visit.
Real Mary King’s Close Tours
Take a step back in time and explore the secrets of Edinburgh’s past with a visit to Real Mary King’s Close. Located beneath the cobbled streets of Old Town, this historic street was once home to the city’s poorer classes before disappearing from view. Now you can learn about its history on guided tours led by costumed character guides, bringing the street’s past alive.
Discover why Real Mary King’s Close should be at the top of your list of things to do in Edinburgh and book now for a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history. Experience it for yourself – you won’t want to miss out!
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Why you should walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
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Why you should walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is a must-do for any visitor to the city. The Royal Mile is the name given to the stretch of road that runs from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and it is lined with historic buildings, shops, restaurants as well as other attractions.
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A Traveller’s Perspective
Real Mary King’s Close is one of the most unusual things I have done in Edinburgh. You go underground, beneath the Royal Mile, into a set of streets that were sealed up and built over in the 18th century. The guided tour takes you through rooms where people actually lived and worked, and the guides are excellent — knowledgeable, engaging, and good at bringing the history to life without turning it into a ghost show.
Book in advance, especially in summer. Tours run every 15 to 20 minutes but they sell out. The tour lasts about an hour. Wear comfortable shoes — the floors are uneven stone and there are some narrow passages. It is cool underground so bring a light jacket even in August. The entrance is on the Royal Mile, almost directly opposite St Giles’ Cathedral, but easy to miss if you are not looking for it.
The moment you step off the modern staircase and into the close itself, the temperature drops and the air changes. It smells of old stone and damp earth. The ceiling presses low overhead. When the guide turns off the lights for a moment to show you what it was like to live down there without electricity, the darkness is total. You hear the faint rumble of traffic on the Royal Mile above your head and realise you are standing in a street that has not seen daylight for over 250 years.
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Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Scotland's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
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