Things to do with Teenagers in Edinburgh this Summer

The Summer holidays have arrived and the kids will be asking what is planned for their time off. Well, that’s probably not an easy question to answer, especially if you have children of differing ages or teenagers. Teenagers are probably the more discerning of audiences and they would much rather be doing something ‘cool’ with their friends rather than hanging out with their parents. That is not to say that all teenagers are like this, but it is safe to say that a large amount of them feel they are too cool to hang out with the ‘oldies’!

So, where shall we go, then?

Well we have some ideas that might inspire and help you choose some of the more interesting and teenager-friendly places. There are of course options for places like fun fairs and amusement parks, but what if there are none in Edinburgh at the time? Why not visit us at The Real Mary King’s Close? As a series of hidden underground streets that lurk below the bowels of Edinburgh, we have something a bit different to offer. The streets used to be open to sunshine until the city modernised and development required the old closes to used as foundations for new buildings. There are many myths surrounding why Mary King's Close was closed so why not bring your teenager along to discover the truth behind the legend on our tour.

And Mary King was whom, exactly?

Well, she was a very well-respected business woman and in those days—we are talking the 1600’s here—women were regarded with very little respect. Mary King was different. She was a widowed mother who supported four children by herself. She did this with what would today be called entrepreneurial skills working with fabrics.

If you are joining us with kids over 16 then why not take in the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well? From 1- 24 August we will be hosting our own production called the Dark Truth Tour that will put a chill in their spine!

Come and see us and learn more about Mary King and yes….bring the teenagers…