A tour of Mary King’s Close

Hidden underneath Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile lies Mary King’s Close, a preserved site of 17th-century Scotland that offers an immersive journey into the country’s rich and often gritty past. Beneath the streets above lies a labyrinth of houses dating back to the 1500s. Chevening scholars can sign up to enjoy a guided tour of Mary King’s Close!

Named after a merchant burgess, Mary King, the close (a Scottish term for a narrow alleyway) was once a bustling hub full of traders, residents and artisans. When the Royal Exchange was built in the 18th century, the street was partially sealed and forgotten, effectively trapping its secrets beneath the surface.

Today, the site has been carefully preserved and reopened to the public, providing a rare and authentic glimpse into life before modern plumbing, electricity and sanitation.

Are you ready to step into the past? Sign up now!

Tickets will be allocated by ballot and the Eventbrite password can be found in the August Scholargram newsletter.

What sets Mary King’s Close apart is its connection to real lives and events. Costumed guides, often portraying historical residents, lead visitors through dimly lit rooms and cobbled streets, narrating stories of plague, poverty and perseverance. These first-hand accounts, drawn from historical records, humanise the past in a way that textbooks rarely do. It’s history told from the ground up and gives voice to those usually lost to time.

Learn more about Mary King’s Close.