On Sunday, 10th November, the Royal Mile will be difficult to access due to Remembrance Day, and our ticket office will be closed.
Our site will be accessible from our Courtyard at the top of Warriston’s Steps.
To many, Top Trumps brings back a fond nostalgia from childhood – a card game enjoyed internationally over the decades since the 70s. Over forty years later, the world has yet to tire of these entertaining cards. From educational packs to the One Direction boys, Top Trumps’ diverse range has something for everyone. The new Heritage Days Out pack by Winning Moves sees a variety of charming and charismatic sites all over the UK, including ourselves, The Real Mary King’s Close.
First launched back in 1978 by a company named Dubreq, Top Trumps has long been a popular game amongst both adults and children. The ’70s and ’80s saw the game become a favoured pastime in playgrounds, particularly among boys. Originating at 50p a pack, children would save up their pocket money to collect the different themes.
Tanks, battleships, and super trains were all common categories in the ’70s, however, with the turn in pop culture, recent themes have seen a different direction with Guinness World Records, Avengers, and even the Top Emojis.
Did you know there is a Trash Top Trumps pack – who could resist a challenge against their favourite waste items?
Of course, everything comes back in style. So in past years, fans of the game have reverted to hunting down the originals packs from the 70s. Now considered collectable items, the 1988 vintage set, Planets & Aliens, is worth over £100 for example.
Whether you prefer a historical pack, or laughing at a card that is nothing short of silly; Top Trumps ensure there is something for everyone. The Heritage Days Out pack shows excursions all over the UK from ourselves, The Real Mary Kings Close, to the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. These cards allow you to discover some of the countries most distinguished sites without stepping foot our your living room.
With these cards, you can explore their facts, such as the Heritage Days Out’s family rating and historical importance. You can bring history home and absorb the culture of attractions you had yet to discover, potentially inspiring your next stay-cation agenda.
Here at The Real Mary King’s Close, we are proud to represent the history of 16th & 17th century Edinburgh in the newly launched set of Top Trumps Heritage Days Out.
Our 1530 “Year Established” date was chosen as it is the first recorded mention of Mary King’s Close, then named John Towris Close after a property owner from the East Side of Edinburgh.
Furthermore, if you purchase a set of Top Trumps from us, a special bonus card will be added to the pack. We decided a card with Dr George Rae was the most fitting addition considering his heroic work in historic Edinburgh. The physician Rae was the second plague doctor during the 1645 plague pandemic and saved hundreds of lives as he protected himself with his iconic leather uniform and famous, albeit creepy, beak-shaped mask.
The Heritage Days Out pack enables our guests to take a piece of Mary King’s Close home with them; it allows a sneak-peek for those yet to visit; and with two high cards in their hand, it gives the player a solid chance of winning the game.
Visit our online shop or gift shop on the Royal Mile to purchase the Heritage Days Out Top Trumps along with our special edition Plague Doctor card, available from The Real Mary King’s Close.