Real Mary King's Close

Step down into Edinburgh’s hidden history at The Real Mary King’s Close, voted Scotland’s Best Heritage Tourism Experience. Discover over 400 years of history and learn about the intriguing stories of Edinburgh’s past residents.  From the deadly plague epidemic to a famous royal visitor, there is a myriad of tales just waiting to be told. Journey through time and find out why the Close, once open to the skies and bustling with trade, came to be underground.  An experience rooted in social history, this 1-hour character-guided tour also includes an immersive walk-through of the city’s uniquely preserved streets and spaces, all located underneath Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Expect a truly unique glimpse into the city’s past. 

Explore Edinburgh with Bright Bus Tours! Hop on and off at your own pace with the City or Britannia Tour, designed to match your itinerary. Visit iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Holyroodhouse, all while enjoying fascinating onboard audio commentary. Kick off your adventure at Waterloo Place and hop on the bus for your perfect tour! The City Tour shows you Edinburgh’s must-sees like the Scottish Parliament and Holyroodhouse, while the Britannia Tour takes you to gems like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Choose your route and let the fun begin as you explore Edinburgh your way! Whether you’re on the top deck or inside the bus, you can easily explore the city and catch views of iconic buildings and landmarks along the way. With your ticket, enjoy extra perks and discounts, including entry to the Holyrood Distillery and many more offers. This 48-hour pass gives you access to multiple routes and stops at top locations. The City Tour includes: • Waterloo Place • St Andrews Square • Lothian Street • Bread Street • The Mound • George IV Street • Grassmarket • National Museum of Scotland • Canongate Kirk • Palace of Holyrood • Dynamic Earth • Abbeyhill • Regent Road The Britannia Tour includes the following stops: • Waterloo Place • St Andrew Square • The Shore • Victoria Quay • Royal Yacht Britannia • Fishmarket Square • Royal Botanic Garden

Explore Edinburgh with Bright Bus Tours! Hop on and off at your own pace with the City or Britannia Tour, designed to match your itinerary. Visit iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Holyroodhouse, all while enjoying fascinating onboard audio commentary. Kick off your adventure at Waterloo Place and hop on the bus for your perfect tour! The City Tour shows you Edinburgh’s must-sees like the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood House, while the Britannia Tour takes you to gems like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Choose your route and let the fun begin as you explore Edinburgh your way! Whether you’re on the top deck or inside the bus, you can easily explore the city and catch views of iconic buildings and landmarks along the way. With your ticket, enjoy extra perks and discounts, including entry to the Holyrood Distillery and many more offers. The City Tour includes: • Waterloo Place • St Andrews Square • Lothian Street • Bread Street • The Mound • George IV Street • Grassmarket • National Museum of Scotland • Canongate Kirk • Palace of Holyrood • Dynamic Earth • Abbeyhill • Regent Road The Britannia Tour includes the following stops: • Waterloo Place • St Andrew Square • The Shore • Victoria Quay • Royal Yacht Britannia • Fishmarket Square • Royal Botanic Garden

Meet your guide in central Edinburgh by the City Chambers, then set off on foot to explore Edinburgh Old Town. Walking is one of the best ways to experience the area because of its compact size and narrow passageways, which are known locally as closes. Follow your expert guide around Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks. As you stroll, listen to your knowledgeable guide recount the history of the city. Learn about the rise of Presbyterianism in Scotland and hear stories relating to St Giles’ Cathedral, whose gray medieval spire towers over the Royal Mile, a famous road at the heart of the city that’s lined with stately buildings. Imagine the Edinburgh of the past as you hear stories about the controversial 15th-century monarch, Mary, Queen of Scots, and about key figures from the Scottish Enlightenment. View the imposing Edinburgh Castle and be intrigued by tales of its rise and fall, and about the fabled Stone of Destiny that’s held inside. Next, make your way to the Mound, an artificial hill that connects Edinburgh Old Town with the New Town. Pause for a snack at the Grassmarket Square, then delve into the city’s dark side at the graveyard of Greyfriars Kirkyard. Soak up the eerie atmosphere as you listen to stories about executions and hauntings that are associated with the site. Find out how the graveyard is connected to the famous Harry Potter books. Then walk back to the Royal Mile, discovering more about the collections of the National Museum of Scotland and uncovering the secrets of Mary King’s Close, a medieval street that lies under the Royal Mile. Your tour then concludes at the beginning of the Royal Mile.

Download an MP3 audio guide and explore Edinburgh's famous attractions at your own pace. See Edinburgh Castle, the Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, Tolbooth Kirk, the George IV Bridge, Edinburgh City Chambers, Tron Kirk, and the Scottish Parliament Building. Begin your tour at Edinburgh Castle (entry not included), a building that dates back to the 12th century. See the Scottish Crown Jewels, the magnificent St Giles' Cathedral, Mary King's Close, and walk past underground alleys with a layered history. Drop by at Deacon Brodie's tavern and try Edinburgh's best haggis, a national delicacy immortalized in poetry by Robbie Burns (the National Bard of Scotland). 

The Black Rock with the magnificent Edinburgh Castle are just 2 of the many many iconic landmarks of Edinburgh. On this private tour, you will get up close to the historical and cultural heritage of this city, where time seems to stand still, whispering stories from the past. We created this tour with passion and expertise. Book now and feel the beating heart of Edinburgh! Book a 2-hour walking tour of the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Start your adventure from the Palace of Holyrood, the official royal residence of British monarchs. Follow the legendary royal route to Edinburgh Castle, passing Victorian buildings, old churches and monuments inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site along the way. Immerse yourself in fascinating stories about famous Scots, including kings and queens who shaped the history of Scotland. Discover popular museums and historic sites, such as the Canongate Kirk with the city's oldest cemetery, and the gorgeous St Giles Cathedral with a hidden gem - a statue of the Scottish unicorn (Macrat Cross)! Feel the city's heartbeat as you stroll along the Royal Mile, and see the Heart Mosaic, John Knox House, The Real Mary King's Close, and other fun attractions. Feel the thrill of looking at ""the most besieged place in Great Britain” - the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.

Embark on "Spectral Encounters: Edinburgh’s Ghostly Trail," a chilling adventure designed for the brave at heart, like you. Traverse the legendary Royal Mile, where the air is thick with tales of spectral sightings and eerie whispers from the past. Dare to cross the enigmatic North Bridge, wrapped in shadows and mystery, leading you to the hauntingly beautiful Calton Hill under the ghostly glow of moonlight. Delve into the Old Calton Burial Ground, a place where the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, and explore the somber Canongate Kirk, resonating with the silent echoes of its spiritual inhabitants. This journey is not just a tour; it's a testament to your courage and curiosity, inviting you to uncover the hidden, ghostly layers of Edinburgh. Will you dare to explore the unknown and become the hero of your own eerie adventure?

Embark on a 10-day tour of England and Scotland, visiting iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, and Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy a private tour of the Tower of London, explore the Lake District, and cruise on Ullswater Lake. Day 1: Arrival in London Check in at a 5-star hotel near Buckingham Palace and enjoy a lavish dinner at the English Grill Restaurant. Day 2: Explore London Visit iconic landmarks with a local guide, and enjoy a private tour of the Tower of London. Day 3: Visit Stonehenge and the city of Bath Explore Roman baths and Georgian architecture. Day 4: Explore Bath Explore Bath with a local guide, visit attractions like the Jane Austen Centre or Roman Baths, and dine at the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant. Day 5: Explore Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, and York Travel through a storybook in the Cotswolds where rolling green hills welcome you into the valleys of these charming towns. Admire the honey-colored limestone buildings and medieval churches lining the market squares and have a peek at the thatched cottages and impeccably manicured gardens that give you a taste of the locals’ sweet life. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, explore the market town rich with history. Stand in front of the quaint Tudor cottages where Shakespeare, his wife, and mother grew up. Your day in the English countryside concludes in York where cobbled streets, classic tearooms, and Gothic buildings enhance your arrival at your luxury hotel. Day 6: Discover medieval wonders in York Visit York Minster and Castle Howard, and enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea. Day 7: Explore the Lake District Cruise on Ullswater lake and stay at Merewood Country House Hotel. Day 8: Visit Alnwick Castle and explore Edinburgh Accommodation: Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. Day 9: Highlights of Edinburgh Explore the grounds of Edinburgh Castle as you learn about the castle’s tumultuous 900-year history and take in panoramic views. Get acquainted with the city traveling along Princes Street, past the Gothic Sir Walter Scott Monument to the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence and home of Scottish royal history. Personalize your afternoon visiting the haunting 17th-century Mary King's Close with a Local Expert or trying a bit of Scottish whisky on a stimulating tasting experience that will tickle your taste buds. After a private performance from a former bagpiper to the Royals, a seasonal meal of fine dishes at award-winning Dine Edinburgh rounds off your final day. Day 10: Farewell to Edinburgh Transfer for onward journey.