Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour

Step down into Edinburgh’s darkest daysBeneath the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile lies a hidden world frozen in time.

Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour at The Real Mary King’s Close invites you to explore the grim reality of life during the city’s plague years, through an immersive, story-led guided experience.Set in 1645, when bubonic plague swept through Edinburgh, this tour reveals how ordinary people lived, worked and survived as disease tightened its grip on the city.

Guided by a costumed character, you will journey through the underground streets and spaces of Mary King’s Close, uncovering true stories of fear, resilience and superstition.Along the way, you will encounter Edinburgh’s infamous plague doctor, learn about the dangerous work of the foul clengers who cleaned infected homes, and discover the unsettling medical practices of the 17th century.

From beaked masks to brutal treatments, this experience separates myth from reality while bringing the past vividly to life.Atmospheric, informative and rooted in real history, Contagion & Carnage: The Plague Tour offers a deeper understanding of how disease shaped the city and the lives of those who lived beneath its streets.