The Real Mary King's Close

A guided tour through the hidden, preserved 17th-century closes buried beneath the Royal Mile.

Our plan

Meeting point: 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG. Arrive 5 minutes before your 14:30 departure. Fully cashless site.

The story

Mary King's Close is a historic close located under the Edinburgh City Chambers building on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century. The close was partially demolished and buried due to the building of the Royal Exchange in the year 1753, and later closed to the public for many years. The area became shrouded in myths and urban legends; tales of hauntings and murders abounded. In 1897, Andrew Chesney, the last resident remaining in Mary King's close, was given a compulsory purchase order for £400 and he left the close in 1902.

From Wikipedia: Mary King's Close · photo via Wikimedia Commons