Mary King’s Close: Day 9 – Scotland 2017
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14 April 2017
After the packed schedule of the day before, we enjoyed a quiet, easy morning. We had breakfast at our B&B (The Gil Dun Guest House), had a great chat with Gerry, one of the owners, and loved on their little dog. Afterward, we took a short rest in our room before heading out for the day.
The Real Mary King’s Close
First on our agenda was The Real Mary King’s Close. What’s better than history? Hidden history. Tucked away between buildings and buried underground sits Mary King’s Close. A close is essentially a narrow alleyway that led off of the Royal Mile to properties behind those on the Royal Mile. Generally, these properties were private and ‘closed’ to the public. You’ll also see pathways called ‘courts,’ as they led to courtyards and ‘wynds’ that were large enough for a horse and cart to pass through. Although they don’t anymore, closes used to have large gates on the Royal Mile side, and they were closed and locked at night. The gates are no longer there, but you can still see mounts in some walls where they would have been.
So how did Mary King’s Close end up underground, hedged in by buildings and darkness? Edinburgh wanted to build a new Royal Exchange and found a great place for it. Unfortunately, this particular spot also included streets of houses and Mary King’s Close. Instead of tearing it all down, they removed the top floors and used those that remained as foundations for the new building. Just like that, Mary King’s Close was entombed. Now, the close is open to visitors. You can head underground and walk the cobbled streets of Mary King’s Close. The houses along the close are also intact, and your tour will lead you through some of them. Learn the stories of the close, the people that lived there, and those that died there during the plague of 1645. Admission is £18.95 per adult and £12.45 per child. Purchase tickets online and you’ll get a small discount.
Our Visit
We had such a great time during our visit. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we threw their way. It’s crazy to think of everything that is above you as you walk through the underground city. Seriously, crazy! Here you are, walking an actual street and seeing houses that haven’t felt the splash of sun for centuries. It’s easy to see why ghost stories of this place abound. It can take on a creepy vibe in a heartbeat!
After our tour, we perused the gift shop and I added two more books to my Scotland book collection. I picked up The Crow Boy by Philip Caveney and The Town Below The Ground by Jan Andrew Henderson.
Unfortunately, they don’t allow photography of any kind anywhere in Mary King’s Close, so I have no photos to share. Actually, I must not have taken photos at all that day, because from our entire day out, I have a whopping one picture:
We didn’t even go on this tour! I just thought the bus was cool because it reminded me of the Knight Bus from Harry Potter. Shame on me for not snapping more photos.
A Day Of Rest
We had a very easy day after Mary King’s Close. We walked through the shops of the Royal Mile. I bought some tea and Billy bought a pair of gloves. We meandered back to the Gil Dun Guest House and made dinner reservations, again, at the Salisbury Arms. After dinner, we spent the night relaxing. We’d been in the UK for 8 days and had already seen 26 attractions. It was time for a quiet evening!
Cheers,
Lydia and Billy
