Mary King’s Close, located off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, is a haunted 17th century street that was quarantined during the plague. It has become a popular tourist attraction, known for its ghost stories and original buildings. The most famous ghost is said to be 10-year-old Annie, who died of the plague. Despite its dark history, it offers an excellent history tour of a forgotten era.
Mary King’s Close is said to be one of the most haunted areas in Scotland. Located just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Mary King’s Close is a real step back in time. The underground closure, or road, has a dark history and has become a major tourist attraction since it was reopened. It is an attraction not only for ghost hunters but also for anyone who wants to see a real 17th century street.
Edinburgh itself is a city full of narrow winding streets and dark alleyways. It is a historic city and many of the original buildings date back centuries. Mary King’s Close is one of the oldest streets now open to the public. It’s a dark, winding street filled with original 17th century shops and houses.
Like many streets in Edinburgh in the 17th century, conditions were less than hygienic in Mary King’s Close. Human waste was simply thrown out the windows onto the street. The inhabitants of the houses were poor and disease was rife.
During the time the plague was raging in Britain, Scotland lost over a quarter of its population to the disease. Mary King’s Close was full of plague. Legend has it that the city’s leaders decided to take the inhumane action of sealing off Mary King’s Close to contain the plague that was ravaging the inhabitants. Recent research suggests this is a myth; the closure was quarantined, but people were not sealed to die.
After the plague, life resumed in Mary King’s Close, mainly due to the cheap rents offered to new tenants. In the 18th century, the enclosure was emptied and permanently sealed when the City Chambers building was built. It was reported that the hold was rediscovered by workmen digging above the road.
Since Mary King’s Close reopened, thousands of visitors have poured onto the streets. Many have been drawn to ghost stories, and it has become a regular place for paranormal investigators. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere of the streets, houses and shops has also led many visitors to leave the neighbor within minutes of entering.
The most famous ghostly inhabitant is said to be the ghost of 10-year-old Annie, who died of the plague. Many people have reported feeling her presence, including psychics who have noticed changes in temperature when they enter her room. Closure visitors now leave dolls and sweets in the room for Annie to haunt. Ghosts aside, Mary King’s Close is an excellent history tour of a forgotten era.
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