Coming from Scotland, we have visited Edinburgh on numerous occasions, we always went for the shopping not for the 'touristy' things which now that we live in Australia, I hugely regret. You know it is that thing where you live so close to somewhere that at the time the tourist gems don't really appeal to you, you only have the time to get done what you set out to do then head home again.
Isn't the internet a hive of information!. I came across this article on the Edinburgh Spotlight website, for more information go here. I never even knew this place existed, if at anytime I am fortunate to return to visit this beautiful city, I will for sure be going here. Check this out...
The Real Mary King’s Close
The Real Mary King’s Close
The Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The city’s deepest secret; a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century. There is nowhere in the world quite like Mary King’s Close.
It can be a strange concept to understand – back in the 1600’s, Mary King’s Close and neighbouring Closes were at the heart of Edinburgh’s busiest and most vibrant streets, open to the skies and bustling with traders selling their wares to the Old Town’s residents. Why would this street find itself underground 400 years later?
For years, the hidden Closes of Old Town Edinburgh have been shrouded in myths and mysteries, with blood curdling tales of ghosts and murders, and of plague victims being walled up and left to die. Research and archaeological evidence have revealed a truer story, rooted in fact and – as is so often the case – more fascinating than any amount of fiction.
This incredible street is open to visitors and a costumed character tour guide, based on a one time resident, will help you explore this underground site and tell you fascinating stories.
Credit: The Real Mary King’s Close
We recently visited to take some photos of The Real Mary King’s Close.
Stewart’s Close and the tale of the death of Alexander Cant who was murdered by his wife and mother-in-law over a dowry.
Dr George Rae, the Plague Doctor tends to Johnny Craig who is suffering from the bubonic plague
Inside the windows room
A close up of the book in the windows room
Janet Craig and her baby suffer the onset of bubonic plague.
Mr Chesney’s workshop. The Chesney family moved in as resident sawmakers in 1850 and people can still remember having their saws sharpened there as late as the 1960s.
The doorway into Mr Chesney’s house. Mr Chesney was the last resident to live on Mary King’s Close and was forced to go when the City Chambers was enlarged in the early 1900s.
This is Mr Chesney’s toilet, one of the first plumbed toilets on Mary King’s Close.
Annie’s Room
Annie’s Room
Further information
The Real Mary King’s Close
2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PG
Telephone: 0845 070 6244
2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PG
Telephone: 0845 070 6244
Opening hours and you can also book your ticket online.
You can also like their Facebook page and on follow them twitter @MaryKingsClose
The Real Mary King’s Close
Comments
Post a Comment