The Real Mary King’s Close REVIEW: Tourist Trap or Good Time?
This is half history tour, half performance. Explore one of Edinburgh’s old closes (alleyways) with the character of an actual resident. You’ll hear stories of the people who lived there and the history of the close as you step back in time with your guide.
Activity Overview
So is it a tourist trap? They have a gift shop at the end, and you’ll have to pay extra if you want the photo they snap of you… But if the tour itself piques your interest, we think you’ll love it! It’s great for groups looking for a more imaginative and unique experience than a standard walking tour. It’s wildly popular with most visitors, earning over 20k+ rave reviews.
Those who found it disappointing were typically unimpressed with having a guide in character and didn’t appreciate the history of this specific close. If the format isn’t your style or you’re skeptical that it’ll be worth the price, skip it! Explore more great tours and activities with our honest recommendations.
Why We Think It’s Great:
The history is fascinating as it is a close that was sealed off and reopened to the public. It is located in the middle of the Royal Mile and provides a great perspective of life in Victorian Edinburgh. Learn about a plague doctor, a poet, and a maid who finds herself in the midst of murder. The in-character guides share fascinating stories and provide great entertainment.
You can choose between taking their standard tour of the close or opting for one of their special features. They run different programs, such as a true crime tour, a whisky tasting, or other focused stories based on residents who aren’t regularly featured in the standard tour.
The Real Mary King’s Close Highlights:
- 1-hour duration
- The tour runs daily and is bookable in 15-minute intervals
Things to Note:
- The photo you take at the end is not included in the tour price, and it’s available for purchase
- Not wheelchair accessible
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