A new immersive holiday launches at The Real Mary King’s Close

Gardyloo! Live like a local in 17th century Edinburgh with a stay that sees technology taken away, a visit from the Plague Doctor, and a bucket for a toilet.

History lovers now have the chance to live like a 17th century Edinburgh local, with a new, immersive holiday. A week-long stay in the underground streets of The Real Mary King’s Close.

You would have to be a ‘fool’ to stay on this immersive experience. Guests will have their phones taken from them on arrival, and use a bucket as toilet. Participants will need to avoid waste being thrown on them as other guests shout ‘Gardyloo!’

An authentic immersive holiday

Ultimately, the new immersive holiday from The Real Mary King’s Close is all about offering authenticity. Visitors learn what it is truly like to be a former resident of Mary King’s Close.

Edinburgh experienced the worst outbreak of the plague due to crowded living conditions. Over the week-long experience, guests can expect a visit from the Plague Doctor in their terrifying outfit designed to protect them, including a long cloak and beak-like mask.

As well as visits from the Plague Doctor, guests will live in cramped conditions sharing a bucket for a toilet. However, there is no room service in this experience. Guests will have to throw their waste out with a shout of ‘Gardyloo!’ so other guests know what is about to wash the streets.

When can I book my new immersive holiday?

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “As one of the UK’s top-rated experiences on TripAdvisor we are always looking for new ways for guests to immerse themselves in 17th century Edinburgh. What better way to learn what life was like 400 years ago than to actually live here? We are set to offer a new, week-long experience. Guests can stay on Mary King’s Close and learn what it was really like to live here day-to-day, from having no phones to using a bucket as a toilet, this is set to be an experience like no other, you’d be a fool to miss it!”

The new immersive stays will be available to book from Monday 1st April.