2024

THE REAL MARY KING'S CLOSE

Themed tours and activities €€
4.7/5
29 reviews
Open - from 09h30 to 19h00

The Real Mary King's Close is a collection of alleys and underground dwellings that were in the heart of Old Town in the 17th century. They took the name of one of the daughters of the lawyer Alexander Close who owned several properties there. In the 18th century, they were partially demolished and buried during the construction of the City Chambers. It was from that moment, in the bowels of the city, that the maze entered into the darkest mysteries and legends of Edinburgh; and this, for 400 years. Archaeologists' research has made it possible to understand how some poor families have found refuge there in the face of the capital's overpopulation. It was also here that the plague patients were isolated so that they would die hidden from everyone. The evocation of the disease is then an opportunity to disentangle the true from the false and to fight many preconceived ideas. Ghost stories are legendary, such as that of a little girl named Annie who was seen by a medium and to whom many visitors still bring gifts today, or those of the many victims of the legendary murderers Burke and Hare, whom they reportedly hid before selling them to hospitals. Reopened to the public in 2003, The Real Mary King's Close lifts the veil on dark hours and cursed destinies, in a gloomy universe that does not leave anyone indifferent. The visit lasts one hour and makes sense thanks to actors in costumes for a successful immersion.

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2024

E-CITY

Guided tours €€

Nicolas Loisel, your French guide, fell in love with Scotland after a few trips and settled there 10 years ago. With E-City, he becomes your guide and driver (in electric Tesla) to discover, for half a day (for Edinburgh), a day or a whole stay, Scotland in a totally personalized way. It will take you to the most emblematic sites as well as to unsuspected and even more breathtaking sites! He will offer you unusual and original experiences, 100% tailor-made, for a unique stay.

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2024

AULD REEKIE TOURS

Themed tours and activities €€
4/5
1 review

This is probably the best ghost tour available. Your guides will lead you through Old Town to tell you the most disturbing legends at nightfall. 4 tours take you into the bowels of the city, to the South Bridge underground: the Vaults tour (60 min), the Haunted vaults tour (60 min), the Ghost & torture tour (for private groups only) and the Terror Group (at 10pm, adults only). Here the worst atrocities took place, perpetrated by criminals and witches. Sensitive souls should not go!

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2024

LITERARY PUB TOUR

Themed tours and activities €€

Edinburgh's celebrity does not rest solely on its ghosts, but fortunately also on its illustrious writers! Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson are evoked with humour and panache by Clart and McBrain, a duo of actors who take up the role. They walk you between the houses, courtyards and pubs where these personalities lived, got drunk and wrote their prose. Please note: the tour includes a pub crawl, minors (under 18 years old) are not allowed and the price of consumption is extra.

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2024

THE EDINBURGH DUNGEON

Local history and culture €€

This lively and frightening visit to the city's basements is as much fun as it is thrilling thanks to eleven actors and numerous special effects. On the program: torture room, labyrinth, boat ride, staging and historical characters such as the cannibal Sawney Bean or the serial killers Burke and Hare. The tours leave every 10 minutes and last 80 minutes. Attention: children (under 15 years old) must be accompanied and the visit is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Special tours for an adult audience are also available.

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