The Real Mary King's Close

The Real Mary King's Close Making Edinburgh's hidden history unmissable. BOOK ONLINE FOR YOUR TOUR!
(2969)

Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile where behind every twist and turn secrets lie waiting to be told...

The Real Mary King’s Close is a five star visitor attraction located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

12/06/2026

Respected craftsman. City councillor. Criminal mastermind?

Deacon Brodie's double life has become one of Edinburgh's most famous stories. By day, he was a trusted member of society. By night, he is said to have used copied keys and his locksmithing skills to rob homes and businesses across the city.

Discover his story, along with tales of murder, betrayal, body snatching and punishment, on our True Crime Tours this June.

📅 Every Friday and Saturday throughout June

These are the real crimes that once shook Edinburgh.

Do you think Deacon Brodie would have got away with it in today's world?

11/06/2026

Have you ever noticed the oyster shells hidden within the walls at The Real Mary King's Close? 🦪

Our storytellers are always pointing out fascinating details that many visitors walk straight past.

In the 17th century, leftover oyster shells were often used in construction, helping to strengthen window frames and surrounding masonry. But they also carried a more unusual purpose.

At the time, some people believed oyster shells could protect their homes from witches. Placing them around windows and doorways was thought to prevent unwanted visitors from entering.

It's a small detail, but one that reveals how practical building techniques and centuries-old beliefs often went hand in hand.

Have you come across any unusual historical superstitions during your travels or visits to historic sites?

10/06/2026

🐀 The good news? No plague.
🐀 The even better news? Very cute rats.

While rats were once a familiar sight in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the only ones roaming around The Real Mary King's Close nowadays are the plushie kind in our gift shop.

Soft, cuddly, and considerably less chaotic than their 17th-century ancestors, these little characters have become a favourite souvenir for visitors heading home from the Close. 🧸

Honestly, they’re probably the only rats you’ll ever be excited to see staring back at you from a shelf.

Would you take one home, or are you still traumatised by history class? 👀😂

🏆 We came home with TWO awards! 🏆Last week, we attended the Continuum Attraction of the Year Awards in Manchester and we...
09/06/2026

🏆 We came home with TWO awards! 🏆

Last week, we attended the Continuum Attraction of the Year Awards in Manchester and we're delighted to share that The Real Mary King's Close was named Attraction of the Year 2026 🎉

The celebrations didn't stop there. Our wonderful storyteller Mehdi Bel Abbes was also crowned Team Member of the Year 2026 for his outstanding guest experiences, generosity and team spirit. 👏

These awards are a reflection of the incredible people who make The Real Mary King's Close what it is, from our storytellers and guest services team to operations, retail, marketing and everyone behind the scenes.

To top it all off, this recognition comes in the same year that Tripadvisor named us the 6th Best Tourist Attraction in the World. 🌍✨

Thank you to our team, our guests and everyone who has supported us along the way. Here's to another year of sharing Edinburgh's hidden history.

08/06/2026

How did our ancestors survive before modern medicine?

For many people living in Edinburgh’s closes, doctors were a luxury. Instead, families relied on local “quacks”, herbal remedies, and household cures passed down through generations.

Some treatments sound surprisingly familiar today… and others sound like something from a nightmare. Think spiders, worms, herbal brews, and leeches used for bloodletting. 🕷️🪱🌿

Yet many historic herbal remedies have stood the test of time, and you can still discover them in books like The Herbal Apothecary, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, and The Herb Almanac, available in the gift shop at The Real Mary King's Close.

History can be strange… but it’s rarely boring.

What old-fashioned remedy do you secretly think might still work today? 👀

06/06/2026

Edinburgh’s Old Town has witnessed centuries of crime, punishment, and dark secrets… but few stories are as infamous as Burke and Hare.

In the 1820s, the pair supplied bodies to Edinburgh’s medical schools through a series of shocking murders that horrified the city and changed the law forever.

This June, uncover their story and many more on our immersive underground True Crime Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Led by a specialist storyteller guide, this 1-hour experience explores the real history of Edinburgh’s criminal past beneath preserved 17th-century streets hidden below the Royal Mile.

🔞 Recommended for ages 16+ only

What is the most fascinating true crime story from history you’ve ever heard? 👀

https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/whats-on/true-crime-tour/

04/06/2026

The Plague Ducktor has arrived on Mary King’s Close… and poor little Johnnie Craig is first in line for a “medical examination.” 🦆⚕️

Armed with absolutely no qualifications and a very dramatic beak, our tiny doctor waddles through the Close asking the important questions:
“Have ye got the plague?” 👀

Thankfully, no actual diagnoses are handed out on our tours… just real history, fascinating stories, and a few unexpected laughs beneath Edinburgh’s streets.

So tell us… would you trust the Plague Ducktor to treat you? 😂👇

02/06/2026

The court of Mary Queen of Scots was filled with rumour, scandal, and dangerous power struggles.

Among the most shocking stories is that of Lord Darnley and David Rizzio, whose close relationship sparked whispers across the royal court before ending in one of Scotland’s most infamous murders.

This June, our special Pride History Tours explore hidden LGBTQIA+ stories from Edinburgh’s past, shining a light on lives, identities, and communities often left out of traditional history books.

Join our storytellers beneath the Royal Mile for an atmospheric underground tour through centuries of untold stories.

📍 The Real Mary King’s Close
🗓️ Saturdays, 20th - 27th Jun 2026
⏰ 1-hour experience
🎟️ Book now https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/whats-on/pride-history-tour/

31/05/2026

Just casually wandering through 4 floors of hidden underground history beneath the Edinburgh City Chambers… ✨🕯️

The Real Mary King’s Close still preserves entire streets and spaces beneath the Royal Mile, frozen in time below the city above.

Not many people expect Edinburgh to have a hidden underground world waiting beneath their feet…

Would you explore it? 👀

30/05/2026

True Crime Tours return this June at The Real Mary King’s Close ⚖️

Step beneath Edinburgh’s streets and uncover the real crimes that once shocked the city. Our limited-edition True Crime Tours explore the darker side of Edinburgh’s history through real stories, real people, and real punishments.

Discover tales of:
🕯️ Witch trials
⚔️ Public executions
🦴 Body snatching
🔪 Murder and betrayal

These are not myths or ghost stories. They are part of Edinburgh’s hidden past.

Join us this June beneath the Royal Mile… if you dare.

📅 Running throughout June
🎟️ Advance booking recommended

Address

2 Warriston's Close, High Street
Edinburgh
EH11PG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Friday 12:15pm - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 7:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Real Mary King's Close posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to The Real Mary King's Close:

Shortcuts

Share