The tours are limited to just 20 guests meaning an intimate, atmospheric way to experience Edinburgh’s past
For the first time, guides will share the folklore that once haunted life on the Close(Image: WWW.MADABOUTRAVEL.COM)
Edinburgh is an enchanting city laden with countless relics of the past. But this September, residents and visitors alike are being invited to step beneath the iconic Royal Mile and into a world where history and folklore entwine.
The Real Mary King’s Close has unveiled its brand new Myths and Legends Tour where throughout the month, Edinburgh’s hidden streets will reveal the stories that have plagued the city for centuries.
As inquisitors wander through the dimly lit closes, guided by tales of witches and fairies – from the eerie glow of the Will-o’-the-Wisp to the mysterious tiny coffins un-earthed on Arthur’s Seat – discover how these incredible stories have shaped the city’s identity and continue to echo beneath its streets.
“Edinburgh has always been a city of stories, and the Close holds some of its darkest and most captivating,” Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said.
“These legends reveal the fears and beliefs of the real people who lived here, and experiencing them underground, in the streets where these lives unfolded, makes the past feel immediate and alive.”
Running every Friday and Saturday in September, the one-hour tours are limited to just 20 guests per departure(Image: Luigi Di Pasquale)
Among the figures brought to life on the tour are the Glaistig, half-woman and half-goat, said to guard cattle and mislead travellers, and the sound of pipers believed to remain lost beneath the city.
Headless drummers once thought to warn off danger will also have their airing in the modern world, as well as tales linking Edinburgh’s present to the lives, dreams, and anxieties of those who walked its closes centuries ago.
Wondering if it’s worth the hype? Well, just last year, The Real Mary King’s Close was crowned the UK’s best tourist attraction in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards ‘Best of the Best’.
The Close also ranked 11th among Europe’s top visitor attractions, so it’s definitely in good company.
Wondering when you can experience it for yourself? The new Myths and Legends tours take place every Friday and Saturday throughout September, starting on September 5, with two departures each day at 4pm and 5.30pm.
These tales offer a glimpse into the beliefs and anxieties of the people who lived in the capital centuries ago(Image: WWW.MADABOUTRAVEL.COM)
The one-hour tours are limited to just 20 guests.
So, visitors are advised to pre-book as tours are expected to sell out fast.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, on September 6 and 7, Glasgow is to honour Sir Billy Connolly with a weekend of events as part of celebrations to commemorate the 850th anniversary of Scotland’s biggest city.
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The Big Yin Weekend on September 6 and 7 will celebrate the Glasgow-born comedian through a mixture of events including film, music, comedy and walking and cycling tours.
Highlights of the weekend will include a comedy showcase presented by the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, featuring past winners and nominees of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.
A screening of Big Banana Feet, a documentary following Sir Billy on his 1975 tour of the island of Ireland, will also be shown.