Accessibility

We aim to enable as many visitors as possible to enjoy the unique experience of visiting The Real Mary King’s Close. However, due to its historic nature and layout, as well as to protect the health and safety of all our visitors, we would like to make you aware of the following:

The Close is unsuitable for wheelchair access.
Due to uneven surfaces and some steep inclines, sturdy footwear is recommended.
There are a total of 58 steps to be descended and 38 ascended as part of the tour.
The tour lasts approximately one hour.
Many areas are dimly lit and some visitors may experience disorientation or claustrophobia.

Because of the site’s underground nature, visitors with asthma are advised to bring with them any medication/inhalers that they may require.
We regret that we cannot accommodate pushchairs due to space restrictions.
Children under the age of 5 cannot be admitted due to health & safety reasons.
All children under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Visitors under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted.

In order to encourage as much access as possible, and to enhance your experience, we:

Offer free entry for one-to-one carers.
Encourage visitors to explore our quirky outside courtyard area, historic burgh court room coffee house and gift shop (all accessible via a gently sloped access).
Showcase the Close and the experience in our pre-tour exhibition space. The space also has a detailed model of the Close, and we’re more than happy to answer any questions you might have, and explain the site.

Each of our guides is equipped with a radio, and if for any reason you need to leave the tour at any point, will arrange for a member of the team to take you back upstairs.
Audio guides are available for no charge in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin and Polish. Pre-reservation is required. The audio guides give an overview of the attraction, but do not give a word for word character guide interpretation of the tour experience.
A copy of our leaflet text is available in large print by request.
There are two accessible toilets on site.