The Real Mary King’s Close Business Spotlight

The Real Mary King’s Close, part of Continuum Attractions, opened in 2003, inspired by the uniqueness of Edinburgh’s history. Our site is truly one-of-a-kind—Mary King’s Close is Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th-century street, and the stories we tell are deeply tied to the city’s past. You simply couldn’t replicate these tales anywhere else in the world. Edinburgh is a city rich with history and fascinating stories, which made it the perfect place to create an attraction like ours. The endless opportunities to learn more about the city’s past also allow us to continually develop special tours, shedding light on lesser-known parts of Edinburgh’s history.

Edinburgh is a fantastic place to do business due to the strong collaboration within its tourism industry. Organisations like the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions and the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group foster a community where knowledge and best practices are shared, helping us all work towards making Edinburgh a five-star destination. Businesses are also highly open to partnerships. For instance, we’ve collaborated with Amber Restaurant at the Scotch Whisky Experience for our Burns Night Tours and created packages with Luckenbooths restaurant and McGonagall’s Bar. Edinburgh is also full of creative, talented young people. At The Real Mary King’s Close, we have an incredible team of Storytellers with diverse backgrounds, eager to learn new skills and share the city’s history with visitors from across the globe. As a visitor attraction, we benefit from Edinburgh’s global appeal, with tourists visiting all year round, ensuring a steady flow of business and opportunities to engage with an international audience.

There are so many things to do in Edinburgh, so it is very difficult to fit everything into one day, but let’s try! My ideal day in Edinburgh would begin with a savoury breakfast at Tigerlily on George Street, fuelling me up for a day of exploring. In the morning, I’d head straight to the Old Town, walking from Holyrood Palace up the Royal Mile, soaking in the historic atmosphere. Of course, a visit to The Real Mary King’s Close would be a must, where I could uncover the hidden history beneath the city’s streets during a one-hour guided tour. After that, I’d continue walking around the Old Town, stopping at the Scotch Whisky Experience to learn about Scotland’s national drink. For lunch, I’d grab a takeaway at Oink on Victoria Street, and enjoy it in Princes Street Gardens, taking in the views of the city. Post-lunch, I’d hop on a hop-on hop-off Edinburgh Bus Tour, making sure to stop at the Royal Botanic Gardens for a peaceful stroll amidst the greenery. Then, I’d take a leisurely walk around Stockbridge and Dean Village, where I would stop for a pastry and a hot chocolate at La Barantine, before returning to the city centre via the New Town. As the day draws to a close, I’d climb Calton Hill to catch the sunset over the city, a truly breath-taking sight. For dinner, I’d enjoy a meal at Scran & Scallie. If I still had energy, I’d round off the evening with a Mercat ghost tour, experiencing Edinburgh’s spooky side and I would have a drink at Lady Libertine on St Andrew’s Square.

At The Real Mary King’s Close, one local event we never miss is Halloween. The city comes alive with people seeking out eerie experiences and wanting to uncover Edinburgh’s darker stories. Each year, we offer our True Crime Tours and Lantern Led Tours throughout October, focusing on the city’s grim history—where, as often happens, the truth is even darker than fiction. Edinburgh is particularly atmospheric in October, with the falling leaves, mist, and the warm orange hues of autumn, making it the perfect time to explore the city’s haunted past.

I would definitely encourage other businesses to get involved with Forever Edinburgh. Their team is excellent at helping you enhance your listing and increase your visibility. With a large following across their social media channels, they offer a fantastic platform to promote your business. Additionally, their ongoing investment in marketing campaigns to highlight Edinburgh as a must-visit destination benefits both tourists and locals alike, making it a great opportunity to grow your business and engage with a wider audience.