Journey Back In Time
Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.
Experience The Close
Take a journey back in time and experience history through the eyes of the people who lived it.
Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh's dark past and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked and died on the Close
Begin Your Journey...
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Guided Tours
Join our immersive guided tour and uncover the real stories of Edinburgh’s past beneath the Royal Mile.
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Dr. Arnott's Sampling Sensation
Uncover fascinating secrets of 17th-century medicine with Dr Arnott, the wealthiest resident of Mary King's Close
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Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour
Step beneath the Royal Mile and uncover the grim reality of Edinburgh’s 1645 plague outbreak. Meet the plague doctor and explore the dark history of Mary King’s Close.
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Win a night at The Real Mary Kings Close
Enter the draw to win a once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay at The Real Mary King’s Close, with special access to tours in 2026.
Specialised Tours
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Closes & Coffee
- 1st Jan - 31st Dec 2026
- Saturday - Sunday
Two hidden closes. One unforgettable morning.
Step beneath Edinburgh’s streets for a journey steeped in history. Explore The Lost Close, hidden for nearly two centuries, with a freshly brewed coffee in hand, before continuing to The Real Mary King’s Close to uncover the real stories of the city’s past residents.
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Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour
- 1st - 28th Apr 2026
- Friday - Saturday
Edinburgh, 1645. A city in crisis.
Join us at The Real Mary King’s Close to uncover the reality of life during the plague years. Led by a costumed guide, explore how residents endured disease, discover the role of plague doctors and foul clengers, and hear the true stories of survival beneath the city streets.
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A Dram of History
- 1st - 31st May 2026
- Friday - Saturday
Raise a glass to Edinburgh’s hidden past.
Step beneath the Royal Mile for a guided journey through The Real Mary King’s Close, where stories of trade, community and whisky come to life. Then settle into one of our vaulted rooms to sample three distinctive drams, each paired with tales that bring Scotland’s national drink to the fore.
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Pride History Tours
- 20th - 27th Jun 2026
- Saturday only
Hidden histories. Real stories.
Learn more about the lives and experiences of Edinburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community across the centuries. Through thoughtful storytelling, explore the preserved streets of The Real Mary King’s Close and discover the people who shaped the city’s past and present.
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True Crime Tours
- 1st - 27th Jun 2026
- Friday & Saturday
Real cases. Real consequences.
Step into The Real Mary King’s Close to explore the realities of crime and punishment in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Led by a specialist guide, uncover how offences, hardship and shifting laws shaped life on the closes, revealing stories rooted firmly in fact.
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Myths and Legends Tour
- 1st - 30th Sept 2026
- Friday & Saturday
Where folklore meets the streets beneath your feet.
Enter a world shaped by belief, where tales of witches, spirits and superstition were woven into everyday life. Journey through the closes and discover how folklore and tradition left their mark on Edinburgh and those who called it home.
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Lantern Led Tours
- 2nd - 31st Oct 2026
- Every day, from 18.00
Step through Edinburgh’s past by lantern light.
Step beneath the Royal Mile and explore The Real Mary King’s Close guided only by lantern glow. As the light dims, uncover the real stories of those who lived and worked here, and experience the Close as it once was, where light was scarce, and history runs deep.
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A Victorian Christmas Experience
- 4th - 27th Dec 2026
- Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Step into a festive past beneath the Royal Mile.
Begin with a guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close, then gather in a vaulted room to discover Victorian Christmas traditions with a member of the Chesney family. Enjoy tea, a traditional scone, and a hands-on craft as the stories of the season come to life.
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