Mary King’s Close is a real, visitable underground street in Edinburgh, but there is no proof that it is haunted. The hauntings are stories, not established fact, and the attraction itself leans into the folklore for effect.
Mary King’s Close
Mary King’s Close is a narrow street that sits under the buildings on the Royal Mile, a succession of roads in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. This close was one of the busiest streets in the 17th century, named after Mary King, a merchant who lived there in the 1630s and continued her family business after her husband died. Closes were usually named after prominent local citizens, and Mary King was one such figure.
Later, access to the close was denied when it was buried during the construction of the Royal Exchange. After being sealed for centuries, the close reopened to tourists in 2003. Archaeologists have since noted that Mary King’s Close actually consists of many smaller, narrower closes, with tenement buildings on either side. These buildings had eight stories; the rich lived on the highest floors, while the poor resided on the lower levels where the stench of sewage was overwhelming. When the streets were buried, many residents refused to leave their homes, and some continued running businesses—like buying tobacco or getting a wig made—in that half-buried city.
The Little Girl “Annie”
The reputation for hauntings dates back to the early 17th century, with some evidence suggesting that biogas circulating in the air created eerie lights, which may have sparked ghost rumors. People have reported seeing a woman in black wandering the underground streets, and narratives of ghosts are common. Yet one story stands out: a Japanese psychic claimed to have met a small girl named “Annie” in one of the rooms. The psychic said Annie was a plague victim abandoned by her parents, and she asked for a toy to stop feeling lonely. Since then, visitors from around the world have donated toys, resulting in a creepy pile in Annie’s room.
Tourists have also reported hearing footsteps in empty rooms and feeling frustrated. An infrared camera even captured a picture of a mysterious figure long after the close was closed to visitors. However, no one has found real evidence proving the existence of the woman in black or the ghosts.
Mary King’s Close As A Visitors Attraction
Since reopening in 2003, the close has operated as a tourist attraction. Tours run for 15 minutes from 10 am until 9 pm year-round, though booking in advance is highly recommended in summer when many people head to Edinburgh. Full-price access varies, with discounts for seniors, students, children, and families. The tours are guided mainly in English, Spanish, and Italian, with audio guides in multiple languages.
Luggage rooms are available, so you can visit right after getting off the bus. One downside is the unavailability of wheelchairs. The close offers a glimpse into how Scottish people lived 500 years ago, and the experience is more about history than actual ghosts—though the stories of Annie and the woman in black add to the atmosphere. If you’re curious about the supernatural, you’ll find plenty of mystery here, but the hauntings remain unproven.
Edinburgh, especially Mary King’s Close, will show you history from centuries ago and how Scottish people used to live. Leave a comment if you have visited Mary King’s Close and share your experiences.
Related travel guides: Edinburg Travel Guide, Edinburgh Travel Guide, and Edinburgh - During The Best Weather Ever.
