Mary King's Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
Entrance to Mary King's Close
Mary King's Close
Mary King's Close is an old Edinburgh close under buildings in the Old Town area, taking its name from one Mary King, daughter of advocate Alexander King, who in the 17th century had owned several properties there. The close was partially demolished and buried under the Royal Exchange (pictured above). It has become a place shrouded in myth - with a reputation of being very haunted. Mary King's Close is now a commercial tourist attraction.
According to sources, many plague victims perished there in 1645, and this resulted in many a restless spirit remaining there, causing a nasty type of haunting.
Today, a number of phenomena are reported. These include the apparitions of a tall woman in black; a short, elderly man; and a little girl.
Pictured left is the interior of Mary King's Close courtesy of The Continnuum Group.
2 Warriston's Close,
High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PG.
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Richard Jones, Haunted Places of Scotland by Martin Coventry and Haunted Edinburgh by Alan Murdie.
Location
Visitor Information
Mary King's Close is located at Warriston's Close on High Stree, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Its entrance doorsare situated directly on the Royal Mile, opposite the Mercat Cross and St Giles Cathedral.
Pictured is the entrance courtesy of Steven Haslington. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
