The Real Mary King’s Close
Beneath the Mile:
Edinburgh’s Hidden Underground World
Deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a time capsule of extraordinary power—The Real Mary King’s Close, where a warren of 17th-century streets remains frozen in time. This underground labyrinth offers visitors a glimpse into a world where families once lived in densely packed tenements, merchants traded their wares, and plague victims spent their final days.
Named after Mary King, a prominent businesswoman of her time, this close was once open to the sky and bustled with daily life. When the Royal Exchange was built above in the 18th century, these streets were sealed beneath, preserving a remarkable slice of Edinburgh life. The narrow passages, some barely shoulder-width, wind between buildings that once rose seven storeys high, telling tales of the city’s poorest residents living alongside wealthy merchants.
In these chambers, visitors encounter meticulously preserved scenes of daily life: a cloth merchant’s house, complete with original furniture; a plague victim’s room, testament to the devastating epidemic of 1645; and the famous quarters where little Annie, according to legend, still waits with her lost doll—a story that captures the imagination of visitors who leave toys in her memory.
Archaeological evidence and contemporary accounts combine to paint a vivid picture of life in these closes: the struggle for survival, the innovative use of space, and the remarkable resilience of Edinburgh’s people. Here, in these shadowy passages, the myths and realities of Old Edinburgh merge, offering an unvarnished glimpse into the city’s fascinating past.
