The Real Mary King’s Close

A Hauntingly Beautiful Step Back in Time" After a lovely lunch at Luckenbooths, we decided to try our luck and walk in to see if any tickets were available. We were fortunate to secure a slot for the 6:20 PM tour (£25 each). We were running exactly one minute late after our shopping and whisky tour, but the staff was incredibly kind and still allowed us to join! The Experience: The tour is a mysterious journey into the underground. Walking through the dark, narrow alleys and rooms that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years is surreal. It’s a chilling but fascinating look at the 'Close'—the hidden streets frozen beneath the modern city. The History: Our guide did a wonderful job explaining the grim reality of the 17th century. Learning about the Black Plague, the devastating loss of life, and the terrible hygiene conditions of the time was eye-opening. It’s a visceral reminder of the hardships people faced in the Old Town. My Reflection: Leaving the tour, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Seeing how majority of people lived in such poverty makes you realize how lucky we are today. It’s a powerful experience that makes you appreciate modern technology and our current quality of life, while still treasuring the cultural history that shaped this city. Verdict: If you want to understand the 'soul' of Old Edinburgh beyond the beautiful facades, this tour is essential.

I loved the tour!!! It’s a must go. Our guide was Sam, he was so funny and made our experience better. The stories are very interesting and to be there in person while the guide explains everything is even better. There’s a shop after it, with a lot of unique sells. You can’t take pictures in the tour itself but there’s a possibility to take a picture there (they take it) and you can buy the photo afterwards in the shop. Make sure you get there at least 10 minutes before the time scheduled.

a hidden underground street beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. It was sealed when newer buildings were constructed above it, which helped preserve the homes and rooms below. The guided tour explains how people lived during that time, including stories about the plague and daily life in old Edinburgh. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging, and walking through the dark, preserved spaces felt like stepping back in time. A must-visit for history lovers and anyone curious about Edinburgh’s past.

10 Start if you could give it. Absolutely brilliant attraction. Definitely worth a visit when in Edinburgh travel back to the 17th century and see how people worked and lived. The tour guide Findlay was tremendous was extremely knowledgeable and funny.

The real Mary King's close is well worth a visit! The tour was fascinating and our guide Sam was very informative and funny. The history of the place and the people who lived there is really interesting and the preserved streets are amazing to see. It might be tricky if you're unsteady on your feet (quite a lot of stairs and some uneven floors), but there's plenty of time to walk between the different rooms and worth the effort!