We do not recommend the tour if you suffer from claustrophobia or if you are afraid of the dark. On the other hand, if you think the tour is going to scare you, you will probably be disappointed.
One of the most famous and haunted places in Scotland, the close has become well known worldwide for its wide variety of ghostly phenomena. Many visitors have reported seeing apparitions of those that once lived and died there.
Is the tour suitable for children & families? 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 5 due to health and safety reasons. However, everyone is welcome to use our Burgh Courtroom Gift Shop and Café.
Add another 10 or do to get to gun salute area. As others have said above it's roughly an hour very doable to make it to the castle for 1pm 👍 Enjoy. The tour was about an hour long and very interesting. It's very close to the castle.
Yes, The Real Mary King's Close is widely considered worth it for its unique blend of history, atmospheric underground streets, and engaging storytelling, offering a fascinating look at 17th-century life and the Great Plague, though some find it a bit theatrical compared to darker ghost tours. It's praised for its detailed historical insights, costumed guides bringing stories to life, and being a visually rich alternative to empty vaults, making it great for families and history buffs.
Yes, you can climb Arthur's Seat in trainers, as many people do, but sturdy trainers with good grip are best, as the paths get rocky and slippery, especially near the top and on the way down; hiking boots offer more support and are recommended if you're unsure, but trainers are generally fine for this popular, well-trodden hill in Edinburgh.
St Mary The Virgin, Bedford, England The abandoned church of St Mary The Virgin is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in England. Situated at the edge of the village of Clophill, it was built in around 1350. It's said to face in the 'wrong direction'. Churches normally face east, towards the rising sun.
While Edinburgh is a very safe city to live in, there are some streets in Auld Reekie where residents often feel unsafe after dark. In 2024, official figures showed that Edinburgh, which ranked seventh among the most dangerous areas in Scotland, saw 34,976 crimes over the course of 2023 into 2024.
Annie first became known back in 1992 when a Japanese psychic visited Mary King's Close. The psychic didn't experience much paranormal phenomena until she entered one of the rooms. Apparently, the ghost of a young girl, Annie, was quite upset and had been for centuries, as she had lost her doll.
Edinburgh is ranked as the safest city in Scotland. It has a safety index of 68.98 according to Numbeo, with the lowest crime index of 30.99. It usually reports cases of theft, dishonesty, house break-ins, and offenses. According to the reports, over 82% of the residents feel safe living there.
Are you afraid of the dark? Edinburgh has a colourful and gruesome past and is home to some of the most haunted places in the world. The ancient, narrow streets of the city's old town provide the perfect setting for some of the haunted stories and tours around the city.
The area became regarded as one of the most deprived areas of Edinburgh. Particularly during the 1980s when the Muirhouse housing estate, and its residents were blighted by drug addiction, crime, Anti-social behaviour and HIV/AIDS.
It has some creepy elements to it but its not really meant to be scary. It is more amazing that this place exists because you descend some stairs and you're back in history 300 hundred years. Only real negative is no pictures because there is a gov't building right about the close.
No, the Harry Potter movies were not filmed in Edinburgh, but the city was a huge source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling, influencing characters, settings, and names. While you won't find actual film sets, Edinburgh offers many magical spots like Victoria Street (rumored Diagon Alley), Greyfriars Kirkyard (inspiration for names like Tom Riddle), and The Elephant House café (where she wrote).
Yes, The Real Mary King's Close is widely considered worth it for its unique blend of history, atmospheric underground streets, and engaging storytelling, offering a fascinating look at 17th-century life and the Great Plague, though some find it a bit theatrical compared to darker ghost tours. It's praised for its detailed historical insights, costumed guides bringing stories to life, and being a visually rich alternative to empty vaults, making it great for families and history buffs.
