Unearthed: The Women of Edinburgh Tour
- 1st May 2026 - 31st May 2027
- Saturdays & Sundays
- 2-part experience: underground tour + 90-minute walking tour
- £49 per adult & £42 per child
- No under 5 year olds
- Audio guides are not available for this tour
Step into the stories history forgot
Beneath Edinburgh’s streets, stories echo through time. But some voices were never given the space they deserved.
This May, Unearthed: The Women of Edinburgh Tour brings those voices back into the light.
Begin your journey underground at The Real Mary King’s Close, where you will explore the preserved 17th-century streets and hear the real stories of the people who once lived here, including the women whose lives shaped the Close itself.
Then, step out into the Old Town and continue your experience above ground with a guided walking tour led by Anna Dowling-Clarke, storyteller at The Real Mary King’s Close and founder of Women Hidden in Plain Sight (WHIPS). Together, you will uncover the overlooked, erased and extraordinary women of Edinburgh’s past.
From medieval merchants to Victorian philanthropists, discover the women who owned, built and invested in this city, and whose stories have long been hidden in plain sight.
Two tours. One powerful story
Two tours. One powerful story.
Your experience is split into two immersive parts:
Saturdays
13.00 – Guided underground tour at The Real Mary King’s Close
14.30 – Walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town (departing from our site)
Sundays
09.30 – Guided underground tour at The Real Mary King’s Close
11.00 – Walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town (departing from our site)
Above ground: a city reimagined
As you walk through Edinburgh’s historic streets, you will uncover stories that have long been hidden in plain sight.
From Greyfriars Kirkyard to the Royal Mile and beyond, discover the lives of women who shaped the city in ways history often overlooked. Hear tales of courage, resistance and innovation, from royal figures to everyday women whose impact still lingers in the stones beneath your feet.
This 90-minute walking tour offers a fresh perspective on Edinburgh’s past, connecting landmarks you may recognise with stories you’ve likely never heard.
What to expect
What to expect
- A guided underground tour through The Real Mary King’s Close
- A 90-minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town
- Expert storytelling from Anna Dowling-Clarke, founder of WHIPS
- Powerful, untold stories of Edinburgh’s women
- A unique blend of immersive history and outdoor exploration
Important information
Important information
- This is a combined experience lasting approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
- The walking tour departs directly from The Real Mary King’s Close
- Please wear comfortable footwear and dress for the Scottish weather
- We are a 5-star attraction and spaces are limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended
- The attraction is cashless, so please ensure you bring a valid debit or credit card
- For safety reasons, children under 5 years of age cannot be admitted
Unearth a different side of Edinburgh
History is not just what is written. It is what is remembered, rediscovered and retold.
Join us this May and step into the stories that refused to stay buried.
Register for updates
Be the first to hear about our events and receive priority access to ticket sales.