Book the standard 1-hour long tour of The Close and follow in the footsteps of former residents and learn all about there history and stories.
One of the very knowledgeable guides will take you around The Real Mary King's Close and teach you all about what went on there.
The tour lasts for one hour.
The tour typically runs every 15 minutes from the hour – from the time of opening to the time of closing.
The nature of the tour does not make the tour suitable for animals.
If you require the assistance of a guide dog, then The Real Mary King's Close will be happy to accommodate.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the site, photography and video recording are not allowed.
A photo is taken for you at the iconic close with a static camera. It is, of course, optional for you to purchase once the tour has finished.
All tours are conducted in English, although there are free audio guides in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Dutch, Polish, Hungarian or Portuguese on the mobile app.
Please note that earphones are mandatory for these guides.
The tour is suitable for all ages from 5+ onwards. Entrance to The Real Mary King’s Close historic site is prohibited to anyone below the age of five.
However, everyone is welcome to use the Burgh Courtroom Gift Shop and Café. Please keep this in mind before booking tickets to the attraction.
The historic, underground nature of the site makes access to the Close impossible by wheelchair.
Edinburgh is built on a spine of rock and down the backbone of the Old Town, from the Castle to Holyrood, runs the slope of the Royal Mile.
A series of lanes and alleyways grew out of this long street, falling away to either side – these are the 'wynds' or 'closes' where Old Town folk made their residences.
Closes were named after the most prominent citizen or the most commonly found business to be on the close. Documents show that Mary King was a prominent businesswoman in the 1630s.
At that time she was a widow and a mother of four, who traded in fabrics and sewed for a living. It was highly unusual for a close to be named after a woman at that time, indicating Mary’s standing in the town.