Underground Unlocked 2025
Step beneath the Royal Mile and experience The Real Mary King’s Close like never before—alive with the echoes of the past.
When is Underground Unlocked?
Thursday 4th & 11th December
What’s included?
A rare opportunity to explore The Real Mary King’s Close at your own pace for up to 2 hours.
Meet and interact with up to 15 former residents of The Close, each with a story to tell.
Feel the energy of the past as you roam freely through preserved homes and businesses, exactly as they stood centuries ago.
Times
Book one of the following entry times:
18.00 / 18.10 / 18.20 / 18.30 / 18.40 / 18.50 / 20.00 / 20.10 / 20.20 / 20.30
The Close will be open from 18.00 until 22.30 for Underground Unlocked.
Experience Mary King’s Close as it once was—bustling, thriving, and filled with life.
For two special nights only, the past stirs once more as Underground Unlocked transforms the hidden streets beneath the Royal Mile into a living, breathing world. Unlike our traditional guided tours, this immersive event allows you to step inside the sights, sounds and stories of the 17th century.
The Close thrums with energy. Step into the Laigh House as Patrick Byrne demonstrates the art of leather tanning. Cross paths with Euphame MacCalzean, whose harrowing experience of Scotland’s witch trials still echoes today. Meet Mary King herself, running her busy market stall while keeping a sharp eye on her children. Discover Deacon Brodie lurking in the shadows of the old cowshed. Feel the fear and uncertainty in the Craig House as John Craig waits for the plague doctor to arrive.
Follow the scent of herbs to Dr John Paulitious’ surgery, where he wrestles with the mysteries of the Foul Pestilence. Venture into quarantine with Lang Meg and the Foul Clengers as they tackle the grisly work of keeping the city alive. Pause with poet Marie Maitland as she shares verses filled with courage and defiance. Step into the Close for a lively tale, or meet Janet and Andrew Chesney – among the final residents of the Close – as they recall the world that once thrived here.
Every corner reveals a new story. Every lantern casts shadows of the lives lived beneath the city above.
This fleeting moment will not last. When the night ends, the Close will fall silent again.
Will you step into its hidden history before it disappears?
Book Your Tickets NOW
Due to the exclusive nature of this event, tickets are non-refundable. Secure your place now before they disappear into the past…
BOOK TICKETS
