CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

The Real Mary King’s Close is pulling back the curtain on one of Edinburgh’s most harrowing historical events with its chilling new immersive experience, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour!

Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

About Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

4th April 2025
5th April 2025
11th April 2025
plus 5 more date(s), see below for more info
4 tours per day - 1.15pm, 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.45pm
The Real Mary Kings Close
2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG
£30
Visit the event website here

A Journey into Edinburgh’s Darkest Days

Beneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a hidden world where history lingers in the shadows. Step back in time and uncover the grim reality of The Plague in Edinburgh, a spine-chilling, immersive experience that brings to life one of the city’s most harrowing chapters.

The year is 1645. The bubonic plague has ravaged Edinburgh, spreading fear and death through its closes. Families are sealed inside their homes, the afflicted are left to fend for themselves, and desperate citizens turn to strange and terrifying remedies in the hope of survival. But how did the people of Mary King’s Close endure such devastation? What desperate measures were taken to control the outbreak? And just how much truth lies behind the legend of the plague doctor’s eerie beaked mask?

Led by a costumed character guide, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour takes you deep beneath the city, where you’ll come face to face with the horrors of the past. Hear the stories of the infamous plague doctor, uncover the dangerous work of the ‘foul clengers’, and learn about the shocking medical practices once believed to be cures.

With atmospheric surroundings, expert storytelling, and real historical insight, this unique tour offers an unforgettable glimpse into a time when disease, superstition, and survival shaped Edinburgh’s underground streets.

Additional Dates: 05 April 2025, 11 April 2025, 12 April 2025, 18 April 2025, 19 April 2025, 25 April 2025, 26 April 2025

Sponsored Links

Support The Makers
Cancer Research UK
One Ren
Escape The Past

Other Events at The Real Mary Kings Close

Medical History Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close

Selected dates between 15th February 2025 - 29th March 2025

Delve into the darkest days of Edinburgh’s history, the Plague outbreak of 1645, and discover how the city confronted this devastating epidemic on this new tour at The Real Mary King’s Close!

READ MORE

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

RSPB
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh’s Medical History - Walking Tour

Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh’s Medical History - Walking Tour

Selected dates between 25th January 2025 - 30th March 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

Join Surgeons' Hall Museums on their 5* weekend walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town and hear tales of old Edinburgh, disease, dissection and curious methods of treatment!

READ MORE
Medical History Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close

Medical History Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close

Selected dates between 15th February 2025 - 29th March 2025

Delve into the darkest days of Edinburgh’s history, the Plague outbreak of 1645, and discover how the city confronted this devastating epidemic on this new tour at The Real Mary King’s Close!

READ MORE
Fine Art Foundry Tour

Fine Art Foundry Tour

Selected dates between 18th February 2025 - 25th March 2025

Take a guided tour around the Powderhall Bronze foundry with directors Kerry Hammond and Brian Caster!

READ MORE
Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

READ MORE
Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Selected dates between 14th March 2025 - 6th June 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

This walking tour of Edinburgh focuses on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day!

READ MORE
Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Guided Touch Tour: Palace of Holyroodhouse

Selected dates between 17th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

Join Audio Describer Fiona Johnston for a special opportunity for visually impaired and blind visitors to engage with selected features, and handle replica object in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

READ MORE
50th Anniversary Event: Women’s History Month - From Botanists to Suffragists

50th Anniversary Event: Women’s History Month - From Botanists to Suffragists

21st March 2025

Join us for this special evening event, marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Georgian House and celebrating Women's History Month!

READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop - Family Day

Edinburgh Open Workshop - Family Day

29th March 2025

Join the makers at Edinburgh Open Workshop as they throw open the doors to budding makers of all ages on Saturday 29th March!

READ MORE
Haunted Leith Ghost Walk

Haunted Leith Ghost Walk

29th March 2025
Leith

Join John and Kerrie of North Edinburgh Nightmares on a spooky stroll through the haunted streets of Leith, filled with chilling ghost stories and eerie encounters!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Support The Makers
Cancer Research UK
One Ren
Escape The Past
RSPB
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Popular Events

Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour
The Real Mary King’s Close is pulling back the curtain on one of Edinburgh’s most harrowing historical events with its chilling new immersive experience, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour!
Hotel Chocolat Easter Experience
Celebrate the countdown to Easter at this exclusive, family-friendly event at Hotel Chocolat Fort Kinnaird and taste some of their chocolatiers' imaginative Easter creations!
Pirates Love Underpants
Join our swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain's treasure chest at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh on 6th & 7th September!
A Play, A Pie and A Pint
A popular feature of the Traverse programme, A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór returns in March 2025.
Scottish Rock Garden Club: Spring Flower Show
Come and enjoy a superb display of spring bulbs, alpine and rock garden plants at the Scottish Rock Garden Club's Spring Flower Show on 5th April at Liberton Kirk!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall