Mary King's Close

It may not be immediately apparent to the casual visitor but Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile has an even older warren of streets and chambers running what is now far underground. Sealed off and forgotten centuries ago, these thoroughfares go back to the times of squalor and hardship all but unimagineable in the present day. These were the days when plagues were rife in Europe and hygiene and cleanliness were but futuristic dreams. Many of these locales were actually sealed off in an attempt at containing disease and perhaps understandably, stories of ghosts and forever restless spirits abound...

Perhaps the most famous of all these underground streets, Mary King's Close, can be found near the top of the High Street, directly across from the impressive St Giles' Cathedral. Public tours are available daily and last about one hour, though it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Discounts for larger parties are available, as are private bookings.

There is some debate as to the identity of the lady who lent her name to this underground street. Probably the most common theory is that is that she was a young mother to four children widowed at an early age, who subsequently moved into the close but another theory depicts her as the daughter of Alexander King, advocate to Mary Queen of Scots, after whom the close was originally named.