Mary King’s Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
Why is Mary Kings Close Famous?
Mary King’s Close History
Mary King’s Close was a street in Edinburgh sealed off from the world, leaving all the people suffering from the bubonic plague trapped beneath.
What is the Mary Kings Close?
Opened in 2003, The Real Mary King’s Close is an award-winning five-star attraction located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. On a one-hour social history tour, guests explore this unique warren of hidden streets and spaces.
Why is Mary Kings Close underground?
According to legend, Mary King’s Close’s gates were locked and plague victims were left to die. But in reality the area was quarantined with food and water brought in, until finally the last residents left – one way or another – and the close was abandoned in 1645.
What does close mean in Edinburgh?
Generically such an alleyway is termed a close /ˈkloʊs/, a Scots term for alleyway, although it may be individually named close, entry, court, or wynd. A close is private property, hence gated and closed to the public, whereas a wynd is an open thoroughfare, usually wide enough for a horse and cart.
Descend into a section of Edinburgh’s legendary Underground City, where a population once lived in utter misery. Forgotten for centuries and only recently unsealed, this part of the vaults is known as Damnation Alley.
Is The Real Mary Kings Close worth it?
Top ways to experience The Real Mary King’s Close and nearby attractions. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 92% of travelers recommend this experience.
Is Mary Kings Close the same as the vaults?
Mary Kings close is mainly a tour around some vaults below ground with some storytelling, then it finishes up in a street (or close) that latterly had buildings constructed over the top. That last segment in the close is all too brief yet intersting.
Was Mary Kings Close always underground?
Mary King’s Close and its surrounding streets were not always underground. In the 1600s, they were open to the skies and filled with residents and market traders.
How long does it take to do Mary Kings Close?
Each fully guided tour lasts approximately one hour. For safety reasons, the tour is unsuitable for children under 5 years of age.
Why is Edinburgh so dark?
The city is also affectionately named by the Scottish as “Auld Reekie” (Reekie meaning “Smoky”), referring to the pollution from coal and wood fires that left dark smoky trails from chimneys through the Edinburgh skies.
Did Scotland have the Black Death?
In the 1340s, the Black Death wasted much of Europe and the Middle East, yet Scotland initially welcomed the onset of the plague.
Is Edinburgh built on top of another city?
A Hill of a City
Like another famous city, Edinburgh is said to be situated on seven hills, but the one hill that figures into this topic is Castle Rock. This old volcanic plug towers majestically above the surrounding city with sheer sides on three of its four faces.
Why is a close called a close?
The word “a close” is old, and as a noun it is pronounced like the adjective, not like the verb. The verb is pronounced “kloozz”, while the noun and adjective are pronounced “klooss”. It actually stems from “near to” (close to each other) and not from close (as in shut).
Does the One O’Clock Gun still go off in Edinburgh?
The gun is still fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Crowds gather to enjoy the spectacle – and the sound often surprises people on Princes Street below. The original gun was a 64-pounder.
What time is last call in Scotland?
Alcohol can be sold between the hours of 10am and 10pm under Scottish law.
Why is Little France in Edinburgh so called?
It acquired its name from members of the entourage brought to Scotland from France by Mary, Queen of Scots, who took up residence at nearby Craigmillar Castle.
What are locals from Edinburgh called?
The correct term is Dunediner and refers to the old name of the town, Dunedin, although Edinburgher does seem to be used alot (mainly by Glaswegians).
Why are bricks in Edinburgh black?
“The Scott Monument and [National] Art Galleries, which are largely built of Binny Sandstone, are disfigured by black patches on the surface of the stone. These patches are generally said to be caused by the smoke of the city, and by the smoke of the locomotives of the railway close at hand.
What is the Royal Mile in Scotland?
The Royal Mile is at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with Edinburgh Castle at its head and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at its foot. Its name comes from its tradition as a processional route for kings and queens for the last 500 years.
Is John Knox House Free?
Look out for the tricks and traps to fool intruders and hunt for the devil hiding in The Oak Room ceiling. Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 10am-6pm, last entry 5pm. Admission: Adult – £6, Concession – £5, Children over 7 – £1, Children under 7 – Free.