Pride History Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close
To celebrate Pride Month, The Real Mary King’s Close is hosting a series of educational and thought-provoking ‘Pride History Tours’.
About Pride History Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close
To celebrate Pride Month, The Real Mary King’s Close is hosting a series of educational and thought-provoking ‘Pride History Tours’, designed to reveal the hidden histories of LGBTQIA+ community life in Edinburgh from as far back as 1546 until 1912.
As part of the tour, The Real Mary King’s Close will shine a light on Marie Maitland. Born in 1550, Maitland was a poet whose work was compared by contemporaries to that of Sappho, the Ancient Greek lesbian poet from the Isle of Lesbos, and wrote one of the first poems in Europe about same-sex love between women. Maitland’s story has been researched by Adam Armstrong, one of the Tour Guides at The Real Mary King’s Close, with the research verified by Dr Michael Penman from the University of Stirling, and will be told as part of the new special tour.
The LGBTQIA+ community tend to be missing from the history books, and it can often be difficult to imagine the struggles they had to face throughout the centuries. This 1-hour guided tour, led by the renowned Scottish poet, Robert Fergusson, or Marie Maitland, allows guests the chance to journey beneath the iconic Royal Mile to learn about key moments in history, influential figures who paved the way for change and those who tried to stand in their way.
Whilst wandering through the now-hidden streets, guests will discover real stories from real people. During the tour, Sophia Jex-Blake and Dr James Barry will also shed light on their successes as well as the struggles they faced as LGBTQIA+ identifying members of the community.
During Pride month, it’s important to look back as well as forward, to realise how much the discourse around sexuality has evolved over the years. The vocabulary and terms used today to describe sexuality didn’t exist until around the mid-20th century. When talking of homosexuality from the 16th to 19th century, it was described in various terms such as “buggery” and “sodomy”. If someone was seen to be disobeying the heteronormative codes of society, they would be brutally condemned, ostracised and even sentenced to death.
Participation in The Real Mary King’s Close Pride Tours will provide guests with a deeper understanding and nuanced insight of the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Edinburgh and in Scotland. The specially curated tours actively support the health, well-being, and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex young people through its partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland.
Tours will be running throughout June, every Friday and Saturday at 17.30 and 19.00. Prices are £25 per adult / £19 per child.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Edinburgh Gin Cocktail Tour
Discover the best gin in Edinburgh on the Edinburgh Gin Jaunt and savour the city’s diverse gin culture. Book your gin-tinted adventure today!
READ MORE
Daring Women of Edinburgh Night Tour
Are you ready to step into your daringness? Come on this night tour in the secret, dark alleys of old Edinburgh and listen to the tales of brave women in history!
READ MORE
Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art - Director’s Tour
Join Dovecot Director, Celia Joicey for a tour of Stitched: Scotland's Embroidered Art on Saturday 11th January!
READ MORE
Monumental Treasure Hunt: West Princes Street Gardens
Welcome to the Monument-al Treasure Hunt in West Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, a cultural & historical exploration for children & adults of all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Burns Supper aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia
To celebrate the birth of our national bard, Robert Burns, The Royal Yacht Britannia is delighted to be hosting the annual ticketed traditional Burns Supper.
READ MORESponsored Links
Find other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links