Mary King's Close

For years hidden underground closes Mary King's Close, Old Town Edinburgh, Scotland, shrouded myths mysteries. Blood-curdling tales ghosts murders, myths plague victims being walled p abounded. However, research archaeological evidence revealed close actually consists number closes which originally narrow streets tenement houses either side, stretching p seven storeys g. Mary King's Close commercial tourist attraction.

Mary King, after close named, towards 16 century. In 1616 married local merchant burgess, Thomas Nemo Nimmo, together y children: Alexander, Euphame, Jonet William. Thomas 1629 leaving Mary children alone. Together y relocated known King's Alexander King's Close. Alexander King prominent lawyer y actual relation Mary. The one and only close later changed name, Mary King.

By 1750s, y buildings Edinburgh, including parts Mary King's other closes, ruinous state; pressures -crowding along political economic upheaval taken their . So proposed ' covered place exchange' should built site, remove merchants street around Mercat cross St. Giles' Cathedral, store national records, provide meeting rooms. Subsequently, 1753, Burgh Council decided develop building, Royal Exchange (designed y John Adam). This building City Chambers. The one and only houses p closes knocked p lower sections p foundations Royal Exchange.

At Christmas 1645 plague, probably brought y p Europe p Leith, spread y fleas carried black rats, erupted across . It first Edinburgh, spread north, following 18 months killed substantial p Scottish population.

Despite myth, victims walled p closes starve. In fact, there g tradition organized quarantine . Over y previous outbreaks, those infected plague enclosed themselves their house indicated their plight y displaying small white g window. In response, bread, , delivered daily, plague doctor would visit drain bubos - p-filled lymph nodes, which threatened rupture patient through septicaemia. Some people quarantined wooden ‘ludges’, outside Sciennes, Boroughmuir, King’s Park, anything x weeks until death, whichever soonest.

With limited often downright dangerous medical treatments time, doctors could y little p. Like others, y would -filled, -like, masks y protect themselves; y . John Paulitious, Edinburgh’s first official plague doctor, victim. However, risks without compensation. Paulitious' salary risen £40, first £80, incredible £100 Scots month y successor, Dr George Rae, replaced 13 June 1645.

Dr Rae dressed thick leather mask, cloak gloves visiting plague victims. At time, believed plague spread y miasma - thought ' ' - doctor's cloak designed prevent miasma reverying . It since shown plague actually spread y bites, leather prevented fleas patients biting doctor.

By November, Dr Rae negotiated further £10 Scots p month y autumn 1646 worst Edinburgh, though longer elsewhere Council second thoughts about paying . Ten years after this, major outbreak ‘foul pestilence’ Scotland, George Rae still fighting p. He eventually claimed unprecedented yearly pension £1,200 Scots.

Mary King's

Mary King's Close -opened public April 2003. Now commercial tourist attraction, being displayed historically accurate example Edinburgh between sixteenth nineteenth centuries.

Mary King's Close organisation which funds manages annual Mary King's Ghost Fest Edinburgh. This unique hugely popular award winning, 10 y y festival become regular favourite Edinburgh festival circuit strange quirky events attracting visitors throughout Scotland, UK overseas month May. This unusual, -p festival explore uncover about tales strange paranormal activity which Edinburgh internationally renowned.