Article Source: The Real Mary King’s Close
Last Updated: 27 February 2025 12:03
• Explore the hidden streets of Edinburgh like never before with The Real Mary King’s Close ‘Underground Unlocked’ experience
• The streets beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile which were home to real residents, will come alive once again.
Unlike the usual guided experiences, this immersive event will let visitors wander the streets at their own pace, uncover hidden tales, and interact with the past in an environment brimming with atmosphere and characters.
The one-of-a-kind event will see the streets beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile buzz with life as guests stroll through preserved homes and businesses, stepping into the world of those who once lived, worked, and died here.
Recently crowned the UK’s best tourist attraction and ranked 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in the 2024 TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards - Best of the Best, The Real Mary King’s Close continues to captivate visitors with its unique blend of history, storytelling, and immersive experiences.
Guests at ‘Underground Unlocked’ will come face to face with the people who once called The Close home. Encounter the enigmatic plague doctor, John Paulitious, and hear his grim warnings. Stop for a conversation with Mary Stewart, Mary Queen of Scots, who spent her last night in Edinburgh in Pearson’s Close. Exchange words with renowned poet Robert Fergusson, or pause to listen to Janet Chesney, mother of the Close’s final resident, as she shares memories of a vanished way of life.
The two-hour experience will allow guests to wander leisurely and curiously as every turn reveals a new piece of history, character, and every shadow holds a secret.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Our new Underground Unlocked events give a rare chance to explore The Real Mary King’s Close at your own pace for up to two hours. During the one-off experience, guests will meet and interact with up to 13 historic residents, and step inside preserved homes and businesses, exactly as they stood centuries ago.”
“We wanted to give an idea of what the streets would have been like back in the 17th when the Close would have been bustling with life. At The Real Mary King’s Close, we are passionate about storytelling and creating unforgettable experiences that transport our visitors back in time. We can’t wait to welcome them to ‘Underground Unlocked’ and give them our most immersive experience yet.”
The special ‘Underground Unlocked’ experience will be running on Thursday 13th March from 18.00 until 21.00. Tickets are £40 per person. Spaces are extremely limited, so pre-booking is highly recommended.
For more information and bookings please visit: https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/event/underground-unlocked-2025/
Capital Theatres reveals new partnerships with leading dance companies Rambert and Barrowland Ballet, designed to bring world premieres to Edinburgh.
READ MOREPriscilla Queen of the Desert, based on the 1994 Oscar-winning film, is set to hit the road, bursting onto stages across the UK and Ireland and visits Edinburgh Playhouse in April 2026.
READ MOREFor one evening only on Thursday, 13th March, The Real Mary King’s Close is inviting guests to a truly unique event that will cast The Close in an entirely new light.
READ MOREThe UK Pantomime Association is delighted to announce a significant new sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE).
READ MOREThe UK's largest outdoor cinema, Adventure Cinema announces its most spectacular season to date with incredible films at new magical locations!
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting two free workshops this March for gardeners of all ages; Prepare to Propagate and Beyond the Secret Garden.
READ MOREThe Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!
READ MOREThe entire range of pre-loved jewellery will be on display in store at SH Jewellery in Morningside from Thursday, 27th February through to and including Saturday, 1st March.
READ MOREBritain’s biggest independent brewer, BrewDog is giving away free pints of its stout, Black Heart, to help keep the home nations’ hopes high!
READ MOREW Edinburgh, the capital’s latest 5-star luxury hotel, is set to host an unmissable Carnaval weekend celebration at SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh this weekend.
READ MOREBritish kids will go head-to-head on Roblox to be crowned the Gaming Challenge UK champion.
READ MOREAldi Scotland has proudly announced Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as the official charity partner of its long running and hugely popular Supermarket Sweep initiative for 2025.
READ MOREThe contents of a 119-year-old message in a bottle, discovered at the King’s Theatre during the ongoing redevelopment project, have finally been revealed.
READ MOREInternational champion and Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has announced the full cast for Midnight Dancer, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse on 26th March!
READ MOREThe Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland is delighted to announce full details of its fourth Pomegranates Festival which will run from 25th to 30th April 2025 at various venues across Edinburgh.
READ MOREThe Seafood Ristorante, one of Scotland's most beloved dining destinations, marks its 20th anniversary this month with the launch of an exclusive new 'Icons' menu.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place across the UK.
READ MOREMPB is sponsoring Edinburgh’s Stills Centre for Photography by replacing their photographic equipment with high-quality gear to fully equip their Stills School.
READ MOREThe Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has partnered with anti-plastic water company ape2o to reduce plastic consumption by installing a 'Big Ape' high quality water refill machine at Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MOREEdinburgh Playhouse Creative Learning initiative ‘Project Any Dream 2024’ is shortlisted in the category of Inspiring Partnerships at forthcoming Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
READ MORESt James Quarter will play host to an enviable line-up of style talks, fashion shows, beauty masterclasses and more from 28th to 30th March!
READ MOREThe Edinburgh cocktail bar and Social Darts experience is paying homage to the tequila-based cocktail for an entire month with its new limited-edition menu.
READ MOREThe Eric Liddell Community has received a generous £150,000 grant from The Garfield Weston Foundation to help sustain its vital work in combating loneliness and isolation in Edinburgh.
READ MORE105 years young! The Famous Spiegeltent celebrates her ‘centenary plus’ this summer by returning to St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
READ MORELast chance to enjoy 2 for 1* on Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s award-winning experiences until 28th February.
READ MOREEdinburgh Science Festival welcomes everyone to explore the theme of Spaceship Earth and how we can all live like astronauts for the good of planet Earth.
READ MOREThe Leddie, Aberlady’s boutique hotel and restaurant, in partnership with WanderWomen, will host its first-ever wellness retreat, Spring Equinox Awakening, from 15th to 16th March.
READ MOREA HIGHLY anticipated charity football match is set to bring together property professionals and football legends in a bid to raise £20,000 for an inclusive outdoor space.
READ MOREJason Connery, filmmaker and son of the legendary Sean Connery, has invested £1 million in Lost Shore Surf Resort, marking a significant post-launch boost for Europe’s largest surf park.
READ MOREThe initiative enables customers across the UK to donate pre-loved children's books in-store, for onward gifting to families with fewer books of their own.
READ MORE