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.
Meet the residents… Your experience at The Real Mary King’s Close will be brought to life by one of our costumed character tour guides. Each of them characterises a former resident who really lived, worked and died on the closes of Old Town Edinburgh.
Meet Agnes, a household maid serving the merchant burgess, Alexander Cant, in the year 1535. Little does she know that her life is about to take a dramatic and unexpected turn in the midst of a murder in his house on Craig’s Close.
Meet Robert, a well-known poet and the literary inspiration to none other than Robert Burns. It’s 1771 and the notorious ‘Cape Club’ is in full swing. However, it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes for one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated writers.
Meet Walter, an often overlooked hero of the harrowing 1645 plague epidemic. He fearlessly risked his life to cleanse the homes of those afflicted. If you look closely, you might catch a glimpse of his distinct uniform adorned with the St. Andrews cross.
Meet Dr George Rae, a distinguished physician who played a pivotal role during the second and most devastating outbreak of the plague in Edinburgh. His dedication to serving the city council and his pioneering contributions to the emerging medical sciences in Edinburgh set him apart from his contemporaries.
Meet Mr. Chesney, the last resident of Mary King’s Close. In a poignant turn of events, he found himself compelled to vacate his cherished lodgings to make way for the expansion of the Royal Exchange building.