How to Spend a Day in Edinburgh

Making a fleeting visit to Scotland’s grand capital? With only a few hours in Edinburgh, a city that is so rich in culture and history, it’s hard to know where to begin. Where to dine and visit, not to mention the issue of navigating the bustling city! Fear not, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide on how to spend a day in Edinburgh.

Planning a Day in Edinburgh

8AM: Any great day trip starts with a delicious breakfast.  Only a short five minute walk from Edinburgh Haymarket train station, we recommend heading on over the chic Orcadian restaurant, The Skerries (part of luxury boutique hotel, The Dunstane.) With the recent addition of fine-dining expert chef, Paul, we guarantee that breakfast will be nothing but delightful.

9AM: We know a good breakfast; we’re guessing you’re probably more than full at this point. Up and ready, we recommend exploring Edinburgh Haymarket. Since the addition of the Edinburgh tramline, Haymarket has thrived – and with fantastic cafes and very alluring boutique shops to visit, we’re confident you’ll find a little piece of luxury you’ll just love.

10:30AM: It’s time to hop on a tram and head over to Edinburgh’s legendary Princes Street. Home to major high-street brand flagships stores, the street also hosts Edinburgh’s famous department store, Jenners. Go ahead – indulge in some retail therapy!

12PM: Feeling peckish? Why not head on over to Eteaket for some lunch? Located on Frederick Street, Edinburgh’s very own award-winning tea room, Eteaket sells scrumptious cakes, ciabattas – as well as afternoon tea. With an abundance of teas from around the globe readily available, we’re pretty sure you’ll be swapping out your regular Frappuccino for a take-away bag of your favourite brew.

1:30PM: Time to work off those calories! No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a trek up Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As you pass over the cobbled streets, you’ll take in the surrounding first-class attractions – get a peek at the famous Edinburgh “closes.” Why not drop into the Scotch whisky experience and hop on a tour for an hour to find more out about Scotland’s most famous alcoholic beverage. Word is you even get a “wee dram” during the tour!

3:00PM: Hopefully you won’t be feeling too tipsy after your trip to the Scotch Whisky Experience! If you’re a fan of antiques and vintage goods, then a trip to Armstrong’s Vintage Emporium is imperative! Located only three minutes away from the Royal Mile via Cowgate, soak up the sensation of times gone past with genuine vintage dating back as far as the Victorian period.  Be warned, the shop is deceptive and much bigger than it looks from the outside!

4:00PM: In the mood for more history in action? Head on over to Real Mary King’s Close (located just off the Royal Mile) and get ready for a slice of gruesome and macabre history! Find out about the tales and stories of Mary King’s Close on a tour with us – it’s an experience not to miss out on! Be quick – tours book up fast so we recommend advanced booking.

5:00PM: Dinner time! Head back over the river to visit MP’s Bistro – located only five minutes away from Edinburgh Waverly train station. Seated on the foot of historic Calton Hill, indulge in fine-dining delights including the purse-friendly pre-theatre menu.

7:00PM: Not in a rush to get home? Located a short distance away from MP’s Bistro, is the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre – hotspot for major west-end musicals and first-class shows. From seating in the gallery, to the inner circles, experience the magnificence of the listed building, originally modelled on New York’s Roxy Cinema.

Regardless of how you spend your day, Edinburgh guarantees all but one thing – boredom. One thing’s for sure, we’re confident you’ll return soon to spend another day in Edinburgh. Who could resist its charm? 

Murder Mystery in Edinburgh

From great fires ravaging the streets of Edinburgh to the horrific and often fatal plague that struck its people down, Scotland’s capital city isn’t short of a gruesome story or two. In fact, one of its most famous tales is the story of a murder mystery in Edinburgh, or several murders as you’ll eventually find out. 

The story of the world’s most famous body snatchers, Burke and Hare, has achieved cult status – and has since been portrayed in several films – including a Hollywood blockbuster and other modern media. The story is documented to have begun 1827, after the pair had originally met and began to lodge together, along with Burke’s wife, Helen McDougal.

As was typical in those times, money was in short supply and poverty was high. In 1827, a lodger at their accommodation passed away while owing an outstanding balance of £4 to Hare. Seeking an opportunity to recoup his money, Hare tapped into his “entrepreneurial spirit” and turned to the demand of fresh bodies for anatomical studies. Justifying his plans as payment in return for the outstanding debt, Hare enlisted the help of Burke to swap the deceased lodger’s body out of his coffin, and placed heavy, cheap tanning bark in place for the funeral. The duo then delivered the lodger’s body to a professor called Knox at Surgeon Square. Accepting the body on a “no questions asked” basis, the professor paid the pair seven pounds and ten shillings for their efforts.

It was an easy opportunity to make money, but when they ran out of bodies from naturally occurring deaths, it didn’t take long for Burke and Hare to resort to murder. Their first victim was a fellow lodger, already in a poor and sickly way. Suffocating their victims in the hope they would appear dead from natural causes, the pair had quickly racked up a total of up to thirty bodies delivered to the attentive surgical students, but their downfall came when they targeted victims well-known to the public, including two prostitutes and a children’s entertainer.

Suspicious fellow lodgers, James and Ann Gray, eventually confirmed the pair were up to no good and alerted the authorities. Burke and Hare were arrested and questioned, and in order to secure a conviction, the Lord Advocate offered Hare the opportunity to testify against his partner and his wife, and save his own skin. Hare jumped at the chance and took to the stand, convincing the jury to reach a guilty verdict. Burke was hung for his crimes and, in a fitting nod to his life of crime; his body was donated to medical practices and anatomical study.

Looking For a Modern Murder Mystery in Edinburgh?

Burke and Hare might have been responsible for the most famous murder mystery in Edinburgh, but there are plenty more tales to be told. Why not try one for yourself by booking a unique murder mystery event with Real Mary King’s Close and unveil your own mystery beneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.  

History of the Edinburgh Royal Mile

"Royal Mile" by Dave W licensed under C.C. by 2.0

Inhabited for over 7,000 years and complete with a castle of grand proportions, meandering closes and worn-down cobbled streets, it’s hardly surprising that the epicentre of Edinburgh’s unique past is its famous Royal Mile.

Known for its gruesome tales and triumphant stories of glory, the Royal Mile is steeped in rich history. However, the name “Royal Mile” is perhaps a little misleading – without doubt it’s an energetic walk, but it’s actually over a mile in length – by 107 yards. Always the central focus of the city, the name Edinburgh was derived from the Gaelic “Dun Eidyn” which translates appropriately into “hillfort on the sloping ridge.”

It wasn’t until 1124 that the Royal Mile began to thrive. King David I, was inspired by the hill fort (now known as Edinburgh Castle) supported by the iconic crag rock. Granting trading rights to the Township, the Lawnmarket became an open-air market. King David I continued to develop the town, planning out the Via Regis (“Way of the King”) – now better known today as High Street.

The Royal Mile became a hotspot and sought after housing area. Eventually, by 1591, conditions had devolved from luxury residencies to increasingly squalid and unsanitary conditions in stone-built residencies. The only exceptions were the wealthy, tucked away in the fashionable Cannongate area. 1645 brought more squalid conditions, and by this time it is estimated around 70,000 people were permanently residing in the Royal Mile, in accommodation reaching fourteen stories high and often with ten people sharing a single room.

The end of the 18^th Century began to see some improvement, particularly with the introduction of street cleaning. In 1865, acting Lord Provost William Chambers focused on restoring the city to its former glory, ordering restorations and new tenement flats to be built. Town planner, Partick Geddes, in the 1880s continued to build on this work and form the foundations of the Edinburgh we know today.

Find Out More About the History of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

Edinburgh’s history knows no bounds – from tales of body-snatchers roaming dimly-lit graveyards in the dead of night, to the practice of drowning suspected witches in the town’s drinking water well. To find out more about the harsh realities of 17^th century life in Edinburgh, why not visit its ancient streets for yourself? Book one of our tours and explore the RealMary King’s Close and the history of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Benefits for Group Tours of Real Mary King’s Close

If they say that three’s a crowd, what does 15 or more make? It makes the perfect number of people for group tours of Real Mary King’s Close. Whether you’re part of a social club, youth society or school group, touring the hidden and buried streets of Edinburgh is a great activity to do together.

There are benefits to booking as part of a group, including dedicated admission times to avoid you having to queue. If you’re lucky enough to be the group leader, you’ll be given a free ticket – and there’s another one for your coach driver, too. Also, if you’re planning group tours of real Mary King’s Close with a group of school children, we’ll let one adult in for free with every ten students.

We know it’s important to understand what you’re bringing your group to see, which is why we invite you along for a complimentary familiarisation tour with one of our excellent guides. They’ll take you through the tour, showing you the history and route so you have an understanding of everything your group will enjoy on the day.

Benefits for Group Tours of Real Mary King’s Close

At Real Mary King’s Close, we’ve partnered with some more of Edinburgh’s top attractions to give you multiple group booking discounts you’ll be delighted with. Make a full day of it by pre-booking a meal at the nearby Hard Rock Café, which is offering discounted rates for bookings of 15 or more.

Then, to carry on your voyage of discovery around the city, the Edinburgh Council’s Museums and Galleries group is offering free access to five amazing venues for every child booked on a group tour. Explore the maze of rooms at the historic Museum of Edinburgh, where historic crafts and handmade objects are out on display, head to the Writers’ Museum to celebrate the life and works of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, or choose the unique Museum of Childhood and reminisce over toys you once had and games you used to play.

At the City Art Centre, Scottish artwork hangs to be admired and enjoyed, and finally, the People’s Story Museum depicts the lives of the average working man and woman from the early 18^th Century to our modern era.

Don’t daydream about the history of Edinburgh city - come and explore itfor yourself.

Real Mary King’s Close Emerges Above Ground

Our history lies beneath the streets of Edinburgh, in the once-forgotten Mary King’s Close. Reopened after work on a modern exchange building discovered its sealed-off streets, the Close is now one of Edinburgh City’s top and most unique attractions. For years now, our costumed guides have led groups of intrepid travellers down steep steps and into the bowels of the city, opening their eyes to the silent world of 16^th Century city life. But now we’re bringing the Real Mary King’s Close into the modern day, intertwining her fascinating history with a stroll through the modern streets of our current generation.

Modern Tours at Real Mary King's Close

Our newly created walking tours will take you along the bustling Royal Mile, showing you the hidden entrances to other sealed-off closes just like ours. We’ll delight you with tales of disorderly ale houses, where dastardly plans were concocted in the dead of night, and spare you no details of gory executions and brutal murders. We’ll talk you through how the times have changed, and what might have happened to the Real Mary King’s Close if she hadn’t been hidden away for an age.

Four times a day you can join one of these walking tours as an add-on to our already popular underground tours. One of our costumed guides will show you around Real Mary King’s Close first, following our normal route and presentation, before bringing you up top and out into the light. It’s the perfect combination and a great way to make your main tour last just a little bit longer.

Since we don’t run very many walking tours, and all four are put on in the afternoon, places will be limited and will book up fast. You can secure your space in advance so you don’t miss this unique opportunity, and the added tour gives you an extra hour for just £5 more. We have plenty of other special events on too, including a unique murder mystery tour that will set your nerves on edge, and great family ideas for the upcoming Easter Holidays. Have a look at our website for more details or click here to book now.

More Continuum Attractions

The Continuum Group is committed to bringing you outstanding and unique visitor attractions in unexpectedly locations around the UK. If you enjoy our tours at Real Mary King’s Close, why not discover your sweeter side at the York Chocolate Story or visit the Coronation Street set for a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the UK’s favourite TV soap.

Easter Holidays Beneath Edinburgh’s Streets

What could be better during Easter holidays than a dramatic underground tour that sneaks in some education too? Not much, if you ask us. Catering for older children at Real Mary King’s Close, we’re experts at keeping adults and kids alike entertained. Exploring history has never been so much fun, or so memorable. We delve into Edinburgh’s dark past, discovering its unsanitary living conditions, darting through ancient streets once rank with sewerage, and unearthing the long-dead plague.

Whether you normally enjoy history or not, our tours are no ordinary sight. Costumed guides will lead you on your underground adventure, delighting you with surprising re-enactments and peaking your curiosity like never before. Talking through the history of ancient Edinburgh, we cram centuries of life and stories into our interactive tours. We guarantee this will be an hour of learning you’ll actually find fun. You won’t want it to end.

Easter Holidays at Real Mary King's Close

Exploring one of Edinburgh’s top attractions is the perfect day out as a family, and tickets (two adults and two children) are £42 for the hour-long tour. We run our group tours at regular intervals throughout the day, bookable in advance via our website, so you’re sure to find a time that suits you best, and there’s plenty of time left over to explore our gift shop up top for memorabilia of your visit.

Book your Family Tickets for the Easter Holidays

Why not combine a visit to Real Mary King’s Close with a tour of historic Edinburgh Castle, just at the top of the hill. Or spend some time strolling down the cobbled pavement of legendary Royal Mile, hunting out other hidden close doorways and shopping in quaint boutiques. If you’re here in August, Edinburgh comes alive with fabulous festivals like the famous Fringe when the fill with dancing and music acts, bands and mine artists.

Real Mary King’s Close is a short ten minute walk from Edinburgh Waverly Station, if you plan on travelling by train. If you’re walking to see us, why not enjoy a stroll through Princes Gardens below the castle where events are held throughout the year.

Visit our booking page to arrange your tickets now, and don’t miss out one of Edinburgh’s best attractions this Easter holidays. If you like our tours this year, keep an eye on all the development going on because the Real Mary King’s Close is expanding to become bigger and better than ever before.

The Real Robbie Burns’ Night

Robert Burns’  is one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets. He penned a number of classics such as the world famous ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and the narrative poem ‘Tam O’Shanter’. At The Real Mary King’s Close, we like to think of Burns as an old friend, considering he stayed on the Close on 28th November, 1786. It was Baxter’s Close, to be precise—which is where Deacon Brodie’s Tavern now lies.

Our Tribute to Burns

We would like to invite you to join our own birthday celebrations for Robert Burns and his works.  For a mere £25, your ticket will get you an exclusive evening of Scottish food and drink, poetry and a fully guided tour around the Close. You will hear from characters that lived during these days and experienced life in the Close and the surrounding Old Town of Edinburgh. Your evening will begin at 6.15pm with an hour-long historical tour. You will also enjoy a glass of Prosecco or whisky and a hot mug of hearty Scotch broth to warm those cockles. We will have a delicious spread of canapés—Scottish inspired, of course—alongside live readings of some of the most important and famous Burns’ poems. What better way to spend a Sunday night than enjoying some of our national treasures with this fully immersive experience?

More on the Close

As you wander around the Close you will learn exactly what life was like in Edinburgh old town. This side of life was only seen by the poor and the destitute as they made their homes around the Close. However, Mary King broke the mould as she made her living as a fabric trader and sewing expert to support her children after being widowed. It was extremely rare for women to be afforded any respect in those days, but Mary earned it and consequently the close was named after her. We now enjoy her legacy, so come and join us for a night of celebration of Robert Burns on 25th January, 2015. Click here to book your tickets.

Half Term Family Road Trip

Our parent company, Continuum Attractions, operates a number of other attractions in different cities across the UK. In each of the attractions, we strive to offer an engaging, fun and educational experience that brings British culture and history to life. Our own Edinburgh attraction takes you on a tour of the old town’s underbelly of crime and poverty, whilst showing you how people lived during the seventeenth century. The Real Mary King’s Close is a must for history buffs of all ages, but Edinburgh isn’t the only place where you can delve into the past. This February half term, why not enjoy a tour of some of Britain’s favourite cities for a staycation the whole family will love. Whether you start or finish in Edinburgh, we’re sure you will have a fun road trip!

What else will you see around Britain?

For a limited time only, you can step onto the cobbles of one of Britain’s best loved streets for a behind the scenes tour filled with intriguing stories. ‘Coronation Street’ has been on air for over 50 years making it the longest running soap opera in the history of TV, featuring many different families over the years. The likes of Ena Sharples and Annie Walker are unlikely to ever be seen again, but now is the last chance to follow in their footsteps as the Coronation Street set has relocated to Salford.  Take a mosey around the set and see where Ken and Deirdre lived, visit the Rovers for a pint and check out the railway bridge—scene of the great train crash when the series was still in black and white.

Planning a Tour

Just two hours from Manchester and the Coronation Street tour you will find the beautiful town of York. If your family have a sweet tooth then step into the indulgent world of York’s Chocolate Story. If you plan on heading further south, you can easily take in three attractions in a few days with our historic Canterbury Tales and Kent Life attractions, before heading on to explore Oxford Castle.

With so much choice, it can be difficult to decide what to do! However, don’t forget that at The Real Mary King’s Close, we are offering a fantastic family deal for just £37.50 (2 adults and 2 children)  – just click here to book in advance. Our attraction isn’t suitable for under 5’s but we’re sure even your grumpy teenagers will be intrigued by life in Edinburgh’s hidden streets!

A History of Mary King’s Close

Edinburgh has a long history, much of which has become entrenched in the history books as not so pleasant. Like London, it was highly populated and therefore very susceptible to many of the same conditions and situations, such as poverty, disease, poor hygiene, and many notably bad occupations. These urban issues were exacerbated by the exodus to the cities prompted by the industrial revolution in the 18th Century, and remained a very real factor in people’s lives until after the Second World War. Edinburgh handled this slightly better than other British cities as the population was only about 20,000 after the last plague hit the city between 1644 and 1645.  Despite being the worst record, mercifully it was also the last.

The 1600s

During the 1600s, living conditions were rough. Law and justice were rare but harsh, and the poor were largely resigned to poverty and neglect by the establishment. These were the days before street lighting and an organised police force – so robberies, burglary and violent crime were rife. Taxes were crippling, and people who could not make ends meet often ended up in slums in the city, which bred crime and disease. Among the more affluent families in Edinburgh was the King family, namely one Alexander King—a lawyer whom the close was previously named after.

When he died in 1619, the close was renamed to honour Mary King (no relation) who was a professional clothes maker and fabric trader, as well as a noted philanthropist. When she was widowed with four children in 1629, she maintained her stature in the community, rather than letting the grief consume her. Mary died in 1644, but it is unclear from what, especially as it was during the early days of the last plague outbreak. Mary was fondly remembered by Edinburgh’s poorer citizens for the work she hid in helping to improve working conditions, and we are proud to honour her memory to this day.

Mary’s Memory Lives On

In 1694, the Edinburgh Town Council recorded in its minutes the existence of Mary King’s Close. Sadly, during the construction of the Royal Exchange in 1753, other closes along with Mary King’s suffered some loss when half were covered over. Exactly one hundred years later, in 1853, much the same thing happened during construction of Cockburn Street and more destruction was brought upon Mary King’s Close. Still, the residents remained, and it was not until 1902 that the last resident left by order of compulsory purchase. In January 1904, a new council chamber opened, right above the close.

The Close Today

In 2003, The Real Mary King’s Close opened as a public attraction, entertaining and regaling visitors with stories of crime, plague, debauchery and murder around the Close. We have become a much loved attraction of tourists around the world. Come along and enjoy the sights and smells of old Edinburgh, and the real historical characters that lived, loved and worked in our city.

Looking Forward to a Family Friendly February

February half-term can be a bit of an anti-climax. There is none of the glamour and excitement of Christmas and none of the spring charms of the Easter holiday. Instead, money is still often tight after Christmas, and the country is still in the grey grip of winter. This might leave you wondering what to do with the kids to keep them entertained!

In February 2015, The Real Mary King’s Close ever popular family ticket will be available for the whole month. This offer includes two adults and two children up to age fifteen (although children under five years old are not permitted). We listened to what our visitors were asking and we have noticed a distinct increase in family groups over the last couple of years. We thought this was a great time to save you some money and bundle your tickets together, saving a family of four a nifty seven
pounds.

Real life stories

As a light-hearted, spooky and entertaining day out, Real Mary King’s Close has great reputation among tourists. However, despite all the myths surrounding the close, we try our best to bring you a historically accurate experience of life in old Edinburgh. We bring a modern audience the stories of real people who genuinely existed during the darkest history of Edinburgh and we will regale you with tales, stories and truths about this period of Scottish history.

Our stories take place largely between the 16th and 18th centuries when people lived, worked and died in the underworld of Edinburgh Old Town. The experience will give you a realistic feel of what it was like to live and suffer the fates of those poor enough to be stuck in dark, narrow and cramped streets.

Booking your visit

Every day in February you can get your family ticket between the hours of 10am and 5pm at a cost of £35.70. Click here to book your ticket in advance. We aim to give families both far and near the chance to spend time with us during the half term holidays. So come and join us for some spooky family fun this coming February.

Welcome to Edinburgh and University Life

January isn’t just a month for finding a bargain in the January sales; it is also the start of the academic year for many students. Some cities don’t notice the sudden influx of new students roaming around taking in the city sights, but Edinburgh does. Edinburgh pays close attention to all the newbies looking to find their way around and navigate their new home. In fact, as a city, Edinburgh welcomes some six or so thousand students each year, all of which come flocking to Edinburgh looking to soak up the culture on those off-days when studying is the farthest thing from their minds.

Things to do

Navigating your new hometown can be extremely confusing, especially when you don’t always know where to go and what to do. Gathering your new friends together and hitting the streets can be the best way to find your way around your new home town.

If you are looking to learn about the rich history of Edinburgh then you’ll love a day trip to The Real Mary King’s Close. We will guide you through the fearful and disease-ridden historical underground streets of Old Edinburgh. We will transport you back to the 1600’s when crime and mayhem were the order of the day. In those dark days, Edinburgh was an every man for himself kind of city, and these cramped houses were dark places to be. Thankfully nowadays Edinburgh is an extremely friendly city and you will find plenty of people willing to share their local knowledge.

Don’t worry if English isn’t your first language, we also do a Spanish tour allowing you to join in on the experience. Students can also enjoy discounted entry with a valid student ID, leaving some extra cash for a lunch stop at one of the many delicious cafes nearby.

As Real Mary King’s Close is at the top of the Royal Mile, we are in the ideal position to help you enjoy many other tourist attractions. Edinburgh Castle is only a 10 minutes away and we are only a short walk away from the intriguing Camera Obscura. Check out our Visiting Edinburgh pages for more ideas to help you plan a day in the city.

Great Days Out in Edinburgh: Bring the Family to Meet Mary

When visitors come to The Real Mary King’s Close, they find a hidden warren of the ancient streets of Old Edinburgh. As an attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close has welcomed thousands of intrigued locals and tourists that are looking to learn more about the history of our picturesque city.

Special Family Ticket Deals

During December 2014 and January 2015, we are offering a special deal for family days out. Every Sunday, you can purchase a family ticket at a purse friendly price of £35.70 for a family of four. This is a splendid time to bring the kids as the whole family can enjoy time off together. Younger kids might want to skip this attraction however as it can often be a bit a spooky for them.

Looking for something to do inbetween Christmas and New Year can often be difficult as there is a lull after the excitement of Christmas. However, we don’t just provide some good old fashioned fun, the kids can also learn a thing or two about history as real life characters bring your tour to life. They won’t even realise how much they are learning as they hear the stories of families that lived on these streets. You can even entice your hard-to-scare teenagers as you enter a room filled with teddy bears, dedicated to a ghost child nicknamed ‘Annie’. This spooky area was ‘discovered’ by Aiko Gibo, a Japanese psychic, who visited the spot in 1992 and spoke to Annie who told her she had lost her doll. This prompted a trend of visitors leaving a toy for Annie whilst others make a donation to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in her honour.

Other Edinburgh fun

There are so many things to see and do in Edinburgh that a day is never enough. Our website is full of helpful guides for planning your visit. We are only a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Castle and the intriguing Camera Obscura and World of Illusions which can help complete a fun day of learning in Scotland’s capital city. We’ll see you soon!

Christmas at The Real Mary King’s Close

As the nights start drawing in towards the darkest days of the year, we have set up a special Christmas tour to get you in the festive spirit.

An Appointment with the Saw Doctor

Your guide for the tour will be Mr Chesney, the latest character to be brought back from the dust of Mary King’s Close. The colourful Mr Chesney was the close’s resident ‘saw doctor’ but today he brings his history to life in order to shock, amaze and entertain our guests. Step back in time to discover how Christmas came to be the celebration we so dearly love today.

Christmas, but not as we know it

Christmas in the back streets of Edinburgh was not the light-hearted festival we know today. Our tour tells the story of Christmas as Mr Chesney himself would have experienced it. Most working people could not afford to take a leisurely Christmas break. For them, Christmas Day was just like any other working day, with Hogmanay being the day they would allow themselves to put their feet up. In fact, the celebration of Christmas was officially banned in Scotland between 1575 and 1958. So much for the season of good will!

The Daft Days

This doesn’t mean that Christmas in Mary King’s Close was all work and no play – quite the contrary. The Victorian era saw the birth of many of the traditions we think of as quintessentially ‘Christmas’. Enter the Christmas tree, popular Christmas carols, Santa Claus and the Christmas pudding. Let Mr Chesney talk about Christmas through his eyes, at a time when the feast day was undergoing some drastic changes.

Step into the ‘daft days’ of Christmas, a twelve-day period when the usual rules of society were turned upside down and mischief and merriment ruled the day. Discover the roots of playground games such as ‘blind man’s buff’ and the humble working-class origins of the sumptuous Christmas meals we enjoy today.

Get into the spirit of Christmas on one of our special historical tours between 19th and 23rd December. Book your tickets online today or pop by the ticket office to book in person.

Christmas Gifts at The Real Mary King’s Close

With the festive season rapidly approaching, we invite you to join us for some Christmas cheer at The Real Mary King’s Close. However, Christmas wasn’t always as cheery for the residents of Mary King’s Close as Christmas was an ordinary working day, with the celebrations happening in the New Year instead.

These days, visitors to Mary King’s Close can expect a glittering welcome to the old streets of Edinburgh. Our gift shop is a great place for getting unique Christmas gifts, vouchers and mementos for anyone interested in Edinburgh’s history. The old days are (thankfully) long since passed, but we carefully stock our gift shop to hopefully capture some of the spirit of the remarkable men and women whose stories illuminate the Real Mary King’s Close.

Traditional and quirky Christmas gifts

Step into the Old Borough Courtroom to browse our extensive selection of historically inspired gifts. We stock a wide range of specialist books dealing with Scottish history, architecture, folklore, ghost-stories and much more. You will also find clothing, home-ware and jewellery from quality household names such as Celtic Spirit, St Justin and Harris Tweed. We carefully handpick all our products to give you a slice of true Scottish culture.

Gift Vouchers

Give someone special the gift of history this Christmas! We offer £5 or £10 gift vouchers that can be used for admission to The Real Mary King’s Close, as well as for purchases in our Gift Shop. Stop by our attraction or give us a call on 0845 070 6244 to order your vouchers.

Edinburgh’s Christmas

If you are looking to add some sparkle to your Christmas shopping, come have a look at our unique Christmas tree which incorporates features of Edinburgh’s dark history. Look closely and you will see decorations including rats and body bags. Part of the Christmas Tree Trail, you can then move on to discover what hidden surprises other participating attractions have. There’s lots of fun to be had in Edinburgh this Christmas – just check here for more details.

We look forward to seeing you soon at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Festive Experience at The Real Mary King’s Close

Christmas is around the corner, and what better way to kick-start your Christmas celebration than on an unforgettable tour of The Real Mary King’s Close. Make this Christmas memorable in the best way possible by taking part in one of our Christmas tours and learning what life used to be like. Christmas in the forgotten underworld of Old Edinburgh was a world away from the celebrations familiar to most of us today as it was in fact a normal working day! Book your bespoke festive tour with us and step back into an alternative Christmas with the denizens of the Real Mary King’s Close.

Types of Tours

We have a range of bespoke tours to choose from to guarantee you and your group have a wonderful time. As well as our Christmas tour, you can enjoy a murder mystery evening, discover the dark truth on a late night tour or even book out the close for your own private party. We have so many options, so browse the types of tours on our website to learn more about them.

Have a Drink With Us

To make the tour of The Real Mary King’s Close even more exciting and eventful, you can choose to pre-order a delicious festive drinks reception with pastries and drinks of your choice. You and your tour party can take part in this offer before the tour and even after if you wish. This reception will add a little something extra to your overall Christmas tour experience.

Character Tour Guide

Need a tour guide with a difference? You are in luck! You don’t have to wait until you arrive to start your foray into Edinburgh’s murky past. You and your party can pick your own historical character tour guide to meet you at your chosen location. We can collect you at your hotel, a restaurant, workplace or elsewhere, and walk with you to Real Mary King’s Close.

More Information

The Christmas tours at Real Mary King’s Close are a popular winter attraction as we aren't ever affected by weather conditions. Each tour can accept a maximum of 20 people or 12 people for drinks and canapés. Give us a call on 0845 070 6244 for more details and to find out about group bookings.

Celebrating the Darker Side of Scottish History

Those interested in history should head to Edinburgh this November to experience a programme of thoroughly fascinating events with Scotland’s History Festival. Running between 13th and 30th November, the festival brings new ways of appreciating and understanding history to people of all ages. The underpinning ethos of the festival is that ‘every table should have a spare seat devoted to history’. Join us as we celebrate and relive the darker side of Scotland’s history at The Real Mary King’s Close.

The Dark Truth

We are honoured to be included in the festival, as we aim to give our guests only the facts during their historical tour of our underground warren. Due to roaring success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we have chosen to put on some special performances of our Dark Truth Tour on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Sunday’s during the November’s festival. The first show kicks off at 6.30pm on Sunday 16th November and you can pre-order your tickets from our website for only £14 per person.

Our Dark Truth Tour is full of dark and deathly deeds, as your tour guide recalls just how cruel the Old Town could be. You will meet various characters, such as the Witch Pricker and the Craig Family. Be careful though, as they are infected with the plague! However, you should feel safe in the hands of the good Doctor George Rae and his assistant Foul Clenger, who fully intend to protect you from the vile disease. Oh, and they are also on hand to make sure you don’t run into Burke and Hare, the notorious grave robbers and murderers who sell their cadavers to the hospitals.

Gather your friends

Each tour has a limited amount of space, with a maximum of 20 people allowed on each tour. Your unique experience begins around 6.30pm, when you are transported back to the 16th century to journey through the stories and histories of Edinburgh’s dirty and dangerous past. Come and join us for a spooky trip down memory lane.

A Chillingly Good Time This Christmas

While the rest of the city is singing ‘Deck the Halls’ and looking out for flying reindeer, we invite you to delve deep underground this festive season at The Real Mary King’s Close. We are one of the only attractions open throughout the winter season, allowing your family to enjoy the perfect day out whatever the weather. We even stay open until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Scary Solstice 

Many people head to The Real Mary King’s Close to enjoy all the fun of our unique Halloween events, but we also put on a chillingly good do at Christmas. Forget the turkey and paper hats, we can help you organise a Christmas party experience with a difference. Whether you want a private tour or a chance to chat with other high spirited groups, we can ensure your festive party plans run smoothly. To book your private tour, get in touch with our Sales Executive Lucy on 0131 225 0675 or by email.

Underground Party

If you choose to book a private tour , your party will be treated to some tasty festive delicacies before we guide you on a historic trip through time to Christmas past. The party food is available on request and can include festive treats such as mince pies, canapes, and some liquid courage, to ease you into your pending adventure. You will find out how the residents of the Real Mary King’s Close lived and died in extreme poverty, as your very own costumed character guides you through your journey.

The tour takes in some of the darker sides of the history of Edinburgh’s old town, as seen through the eyes of some of its strange and colourful past inhabitants. Feel history come alive with the sights, smells and sounds of a bygone era, as you hear stories of Edinburgh's past residents.

Festive tours always fill up fast, so do book soon and join us to celebrate Christmas on the Close.

Murder Mystery Office Parties

Entertaining business guests can sometimes leave you flummoxed, especially if they are not strangers to your offices or your city. It is possible that you may have already taken them to most or all of the main local attractions, and it can leave you wondering how you can continue to impress them. Well, look no further. Our team have been busy planning ways to help local businesses impress their clients and we think we’ve come up with a unique way to put a smile on their faces.

Murder Mysteries a la Agatha Christie

We don’t actually bring Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot to solve a murder, but that is where your guests come in. We can offer you a private evening of murder mystery that transports you back to 1943.  You and your guests will experience the previously unexplored era of The Real Mary King’s Close, when the underground streets of Edinburgh were used as air raid shelters during World War II.

The scene is set when guests are invited to a party held by the Lord Provost to honour the war heroes. As the air raid siren sounds, sharply and abruptly, you find yourself ushered into the shelter along with the rest of the party, where it is soon discovered that most heinous crime of murder has been committed.

You and your guests are then split into four groups to search for clues, answer questions and piece together exactly what happened. You will hear character testimonies and accounts of their whereabouts while you work together to solve the mystery.

Team Building and Exploration

Thanks to the perfect mix of exploration and theatre, you will find that this is a great exercise in team building and a whole lot of fun too. Corporate guests can benefit from getting to know each other better as you work together to solve the murder case. It is also great for teaching people a little about how everybody works at the same time as having lots of fun.  Booking is simple and we can accommodate various size groups, so just get in touch for further details!

Welcome to the 2014 Close Fest

Here at The Real Mary King’s Close, we like to give our visitors a genuinely fun and interesting experience. We constantly try to think of ways to enhance your experience and this year’s Close Fest should keep your whole group happy.  Last year was our first ever Close Fest and it was such a massive hit that we have decided to do it again this year!

The 2014 Programme

Our 2014 programme of events launches on the most appropriate day of the year, Halloween. This marks a week long spectacular filled with entertainment, history and spooky fun for most of the family. Children under five probably shouldn’t come with you because of the nature of our attraction, but those over 5 are more than welcome.

So, if you think you know exactly what is hidden underneath the streets of Edinburgh, think again. You aren’t likely to experience anything as close to the immersive experience you will have at one of our Close Fest events. No venue comes close to offering this level of unique fun!

Oct 31st The Dark Truth Tour - prepare to be terrified on a journey into the underground history of the most ancient city in Scotland.

Nov 2nd Hamish James Hawk and Special Guests - Hamish is a singer who blends many contemporary Scottish themes in his repertoire of songs. He’s definitely one to watch for the future!

Nov 3rd Everyman - this one-man play is a must see and charts the achievements of the main character’s life.

Nov 4th The Essence of Flamenco - the flamenco takes on a new twist, so join us and learn this passionate dance.

Nov 6th Charles Edward Stuart - a Close Encounter - Arran Johnston brings to life the man behind the ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ myth. Come and meet the man who would be king.

Nov 7th Beneath the Surface - Think you know about Scottish history? Think again. This late night tour takes you beyond the normal tourist stories to discover a darker past.

Nov 8th Murder Mystery Evening - the Lord Provost has invited you back to 1943 to help solve the mystery of who committed this hideous crime.

Come for some Spooky Fun

Close fest certainly puts an interesting twist on a night out! Why not round up some friends and join us for this week long series of events? Tickets are now available to purchase online or at our box office, so book yours not to avoid disappointment!

The Spookiest Places to Visit in Edinburgh in the Fall

The Fall is a magical time to pay a trip to Edinburgh. The tree-lined hills surrounding the city are russet red, warm pubs with inviting fireplaces beckon from the old streets and there are atmospheric adventures and activities for the whole family to enjoy.

 “Grassmarket by night” by Geograph, licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0

The haunted city

Ghosties, ghoulies and things that go bump in the night are always a strong attraction for those visiting Edinburgh at this time of year.  The dark and mysterious history of the city reaches from deep below its underbelly to the high streets of the aristocracy. Edinburgh is and always will be a city of historical mystery, where grave robbers, ghosts and spirits roamed in the night.

Edinburgh Castle

When you visit Edinburgh during the day, the Castle will tell you many historical tales. The history of the castle alone is fascinating, but the stories of its residents are much more interesting.  The building itself is a marvel, with trails, dungeons and cold stone towers to keep you wandering for hours.  The beautiful castle is well worth seeing during your day visit.

Edinburgh by Night

Well, Edinburgh in the evening truly is a spectacle that will create a trip to remember. If you visit our great city during the autumn or winter months, nights will begin to draw in around 4pm and the city will become the perfect setting for a night out with a difference.

Real Mary King’s Close

You can start your night with a visit to The Real Mary King’s Close where you can learn the truth about how people really lived in Edinburgh’s underground streets. We are one of the only attractions that stay open during the winter season and our last tour starts at 5pm meaning it’s a great way to start a night of exploring the darker side of Edinburgh’s past.

Ghostly tours

If exploring our underground streets gives you a taste of the weird and wonderful, then why not book onto the ‘City of the Dead’ tour. This explores the legendary ‘Underground City’ where entire communities lived in squalor. It was dirty and grimy and reported to be ‘as black as Satan’s jammies’.

If being spooked by that isn’t enough, head off on the ‘Auld Reekie’ tour where you can see the vaults and graveyards, including the South Bridge Vaults to experience a bone chilling trip through the murkiest part of Edinburgh.

Check out our guides for visiting Edinburgh for more help with planning your trip.