Its that time of the year again! The Close is buzzing with visitors looking for the opportunity to come face to face with some of the sites 'residents'.
Mary King's Close is infamous for paranormal sightings and stories. The tour itself is factual and historical, but that doesn't stop the more curious visiting in the hope of 'spying a spook'.
One of Europe's oldest recorded ghost stories was written on Mary King's Close in 1685 - 'Satan's Invisible World', where a couple are visited by apparitions and suffer the subsequent curse.
No doubt one of the most famous myths of the Close is that its haunted reputation is the result of unfortunate victims being abandoned, with Mary King's Close being bricked up and its inhabitants left to die a gruesome death. Whilst a dramatic and fascinating theory, its completely untrue. History shows that plague victims were quarantined in their homes, a white flag hung outside the residence and neighbours would leave food and ale to support the stricken family.
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| Toys in Annie's Room |
However, one of our famous residents alledgedly did fall foul of the plague - little Annie, a girl abandoned by her family, only making herself know centuries later to Aiko Gibo, a Japanese psychic who visited the Close in the 1990's with a film crew. She felt Annie pulling at her trousers and sobbing that she had lost her doll. One of her production assistants ran to a Royal Mile shop and bought a tartan 'Barbie' style doll. Annie was happy and the doll remains in the room to this day to keep the little girl at peace.....along with gifts bought for her from visitors from around the world who have heard her story and sought to help. Those who don't have a toy often leave spare change which in turn is donated to the Sick Kids Hospital Friends Foundation here in Edinburgh, helping today's sick children in the city. We think Annie would be happy that other children are being helped in her name.
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| The Real Mary King's Close |
Some visitors and staff experience things on the Close every day. Many do not. Those that do feel the presence of some of the Close's more mysterious residents have reported smelling strong tobacco smoke, spying a cat running between the vaulted rooms, seeing a tall figure in the corner of the 17th century house and seeing a figure in a feathered hat at the beginning of the tour (not a tour guides!). Whatever you've felt, we are always happy to
hear your story from your visit. It contributes to the rich history and real stories of The Real Mary King's Close.
Happy Halloween from all at the Close!
