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United Kingdom
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Scotland
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Edinburgh
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Tours & Activities
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1-Hour Real Mary King's Close Underground Tour in Edinburgh
1 h
About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: The Real Mary King's Close, High Street 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG Scotland
Imagine no more...
Uncover the true story of how a network of Edinburgh's Old Town streets found itself buried forever beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Mary King's Close was once one of the busiest, liveliest streets in 17th-Century Edinburgh. So how did such an important thoroughfare end up sealed off from the world for nearly 400 years?
With your character guide, explore the warren of now underground streets and houses. See for yourself what daily life was like, for both rich and poor. What's the truth behind the myths and legends surrounding Mary King's Close and its residents? Discover how disease and the demands of a growing city conspired to seal the Close's fate forever.
Starting in the exhibition space your tour guide will welcome you to Mary King's Close. You will then spend 1 hour exploring the now underground streets and rooms and hear the stories of the people who lived, worked and died here.
End your visit with a stop in the shop and cafe. The cafe, The Royal Exchange Coffee House, is open daily from 9am and offers authentic Scottish produce for all the family. Warm up with a hearty soup or relax and enjoy a tea and scone in the unique setting of the Burgh Courtroom (own expense). The shop offers all things Mary King's, from plague and pestilence souvenirs to high quality authentic Scottish gifts, there will be something memorable to take home (own expense).
Choose your preferred time slot: pick either a morning, afternoon or evening tour and you will then receive an exact allocated tour time within this period after booking.
Duration: 1 hour
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Show less
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: The Real Mary King's Close, High Street 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG Scotland
Imagine no more...
Uncover the true story of how a network of Edinburgh's Old Town streets found itself buried forever beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Mary King's Close was once one of the busiest, liveliest streets in 17th-Century Edinburgh. So how did such an important thoroughfare end up sealed off from the world for nearly 400 years?
With your character guide, explore the warren of now underground streets and houses. See for yourself what daily life was like, for both rich and poor. What's the truth behind the myths and legends surrounding Mary King's Close and its residents? Discover how disease and the demands of a growing city conspired to seal the Close's fate forever.
Starting in the exhibition space your tour guide will welcome you to Mary King's Close. You will then spend 1 hour exploring the now underground streets and rooms and hear the stories of the people who lived, worked and died here.
End your visit with a stop in the shop and cafe. The cafe, The Royal Exchange Coffee House, is open daily from 9am and offers authentic Scottish produce for all the family. Warm up with a hearty soup or relax and enjoy a tea and scone in the unique setting of the Burgh Courtroom (own expense). The shop offers all things Mary King's, from plague and pestilence souvenirs to high quality authentic Scottish gifts, there will be something memorable to take home (own expense).
Choose your preferred time slot: pick either a morning, afternoon or evening tour and you will then receive an exact allocated tour time within this period after booking.
Duration: 1 hour
Included
- Professional guide
- Guide book (if option selected)
- Entry/Admission - The Real Mary King's Close
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Tours depart every 15 minutes: you will be required to pick your preferred time
- Please request a language audio guide at the time of booking to reserve
- It's very important that you arrive in time for your allocated departure time as per the confirmation after booking: customers will not be admitted onto any other tour time
- Due to uneven surfaces, steep inclines and low level lighting, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
- Children aged 4 and under are not permitted on the tour
- No photography is permitted during the tour
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Features
Tourism
85%
Original
65%
Cultural
55%
Reviews
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The tour was good. I enjoyed the interactive story from the guide. However, they don't allow you to take pictures except at the end where they take one of you. What they fail to advise is that there is a £10 charge if you want a copy of that picture. Very disappointed in that!
We really enjoyed the tour, our tour guide Maggie was excellent related the history in an interesting manner, well worth doing the tour.
The tour was about one hour which was good. It was underground but our guide was funny and very informative. Otherwise, I might have been uncomfortable. It was something that brought you back in time.
To be seen. The guide should speak slower for non english speakers.
Very interesting tour and a great guide!
This tour was fun, and a great introduction to the history and architecture of Edinburgh. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and made sure we remained safe during an ice storm, while we were traversing the narrow passageways and steps. Their concern for us and their patience as we slowly made our way through was greatly appreciated. I recommended this tour to other Americans we met in the local pubs! Well done.