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Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

The Real Mary King’s Close is pulling back the curtain on one of Edinburgh’s most harrowing historical events with its chilling new immersive experience, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour!

Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

About Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

26th April 2025
4 tours per day - 1.15pm, 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.45pm
The Real Mary Kings Close
2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG
£30 per adult £24 per child
Visit the event website here

A Journey into Edinburgh’s Darkest Days

Beneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a hidden world where history lingers in the shadows. Step back in time and uncover the grim reality of The Plague in Edinburgh, a spine-chilling, immersive experience that brings to life one of the city’s most harrowing chapters.

The year is 1645. The bubonic plague has ravaged Edinburgh, spreading fear and death through its closes. Families are sealed inside their homes, the afflicted are left to fend for themselves, and desperate citizens turn to strange and terrifying remedies in the hope of survival. But how did the people of Mary King’s Close endure such devastation? What desperate measures were taken to control the outbreak? And just how much truth lies behind the legend of the plague doctor’s eerie beaked mask?

Led by a costumed character guide, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour takes you deep beneath the city, where you’ll come face to face with the horrors of the past. Hear the stories of the infamous plague doctor, uncover the dangerous work of the ‘foul clengers’, and learn about the shocking medical practices once believed to be cures.

With atmospheric surroundings, expert storytelling, and real historical insight, this unique tour offers an unforgettable glimpse into a time when disease, superstition, and survival shaped Edinburgh’s underground streets.

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Wonder & Co
RSPB
Support The Makers
Renfrewshire Council
Fayre Play
Kevin Quantum

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