This June, in celebration of Pride month, join The Real Mary King’s Close for the educational and thought-provoking Pride History Tours, designed to reveal the lesser-known stories of LGBTQIA+ lives in the city, from the mid 1500’s until 1912.
Delve into tales of struggle, secrecy, and strength as you journey through the preserved underground closes. Discover figures like Robert Fergusson, the poet who inspired Robert Burns, and Marie Maitland, whose Sapphic poetry may be one of the earliest examples in Early Modern Europe. Along the way, you’ll also hear about pioneering medical professionals such as Dr James Barry and Sophia Jex-Blake.
Led by costumed character guides, this hour-long tour invites guests to reimagine Edinburgh’s past through a new lens – one filled with resilience, creativity, and connection.
Tours run every Saturday in June 2025, starting at 4pm and 5.30pm.
Tickets are priced at £27.00 per adult and £22.00 per child (aged 5 to 15 years). Please note the tour contains graphic language; parental guidance is advised.
Due to the historic and preserved nature of our underground site, The Real Mary King’s Close is regrettably not wheelchair accessible. The tour includes 58 steps down and 38 steps back up, with uneven surfaces and some steep inclines. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
To find out more and to book tickets, go to Pride History Tours.
