Mary King's Close is a historic close located under the Edinburgh City Chambers building on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.[1][2] The close was partially demolished and buried due to the building of the Royal Exchange in the year 1753, and later closed to the public for many years.[3] The area became shrouded in myths and urban legends; tales of hauntings and murders abounded.[4][5] In 1897, Andrew Chesney, the last resident remaining in Mary King's close, was given a compulsory purchase order for £400 and he left the close in 1902.[citation needed]
The close is currently operated as a tourist attraction by Continuum Attractions.[6]
- ^ "Mary King's Close". edinburgh.org. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ "About the Close". The Real Mary King's Close. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ Rough, Megan (18 July 2023). "Is Mary King's Close the same as the vaults? - Edinburgh". The Real Mary King's Close. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
In 1753, Mary King's Close was partially demolished. The homes and shops that once formed one of the city's busiest trading areas became buried beneath the northern slope running off The Royal Mile.
- ^ "Mary King's Close". royal-mile.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ "Mary King's Close". BBC World Service. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ "The Real Mary King's Close". Real Mary Kings Close. Retrieved 23 June 2022.