Real Mary King's Close was one of the most eerie, immersive experiences I had in Edinburgh. It…read moreisn't about Scotland's royalty or power struggles. It's about survival and daily life through really dark times. I took a guided tour with Daisy, and she was absolutely incredible! So knowledgeable, genuinely funny, and her acting and storytelling took you back in time... literally. It never felt scripted or forced, just engaging and real. She was so warm and sweet, which made the experience even better. It's hard to believe she's only 25 given how much depth she brought to the tour.

Went to the Real May King's Close tour based on a recommendation and didn't really do any research…read more It turned out to be one of the best tours of our 7 day trip thru Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. In case you don't already know, the current Edinburgh city center is built on top of the old city that is several hundred years old. This tour takes you beneath the streets to the old city. You will see the original close with houses and workshops. You will learn how they lived, "meet" other prominent people of that time, and learn about the black plagues. Really cool tour, very informative, and sometimes funny. Please note this tour is NOT for people with mobility issues or concerns. Tours leave on time from the street front store. So, be on time. They can't easily add you to your group if they have already left and gone underground. Highly recommended that you buy your tickets in advance. P.S. Photos are prohibited, and they try to sell you a picture of yourself in the old close on the way out. Tacky, I know, but still worth it.

It's just one of many interesting closes along the Royal Mile. This one is named after the Lord…read moreAdvocate's House. The house of Sir James Stewart used to be at the lower end the stairs near Cockburn St. It's literally steps away from the Supreme Courts building in Parliament Square. Well, about 70 steps up. Today, it's more of a shortcut between Market Street and the Royal Mile. The best feature of Advocate's Close is actually the perfectly framed view of the Scott Monument through the archway. You'll also see how high you are on the hill when walking up or down this steep & worn set of stairs. Hopefully they will add handrails to it one day like others that we've seen throughout the city. I mean, they don't call them "Death Stairs" for nothing. Oh, and theres's a very popular gastropub called the Devil's Advocate near the bottom of the steps. We didn't get to visit it, but it came highly recommended. It's just another reason to visit it.

Edinburgh is riddled with closes and Advocate's Close is a fine example of these narrow lanes that…read moreconnect streets throughout and behind the Royal Mile. The tall buildings that line the path give many closes a canyon-like feel with many of them sloping steeply down from the Royal Mile. It's like walking into the underground! Advocate's Close is particularly popular with tourists and I can see why. At the top, it offers a beautiful peek-a-boo view of the Sir Walter Scott Monument in the distance and some of Edinburgh's central buildings. Walk all the way down and it connects you to Cockburn Street below. Definitely try walking through a close or two as they are great shortcuts to get from one street to another along the Royal Mile.

One of the many beautiful castles you can explore in beautiful Scotland. We loved the beautiful…read moreviews from the upper walls, the green grass all around, and all the different places to explore. Some of the rooms have little description plaques on the walls. We walked the stairways, and explored every room in the castle. It was very peaceful and serene. We definitely recommend Craigmillar Castle for any travelers in the Edinburgh area.

Although I didn't have time to see inside the castle, the exterior was enough to keep me happy…read more Will absolutely come again to explore further within. Once again a brilliant piece of history and would recommend it to anyone!

This close was named after the Lady Stair's House which is now the Writers' Museum. The house dates…read moreback to 1622. It currently is a museum celebrating Scottish Poets. The large courtyard in Lady Stair's Close is called Makar's (or Poets) Court. It's very recognizable with the historical gas lamp in the middle of it. You'll also see that the stones in the court are inscribed with quotes from Scottish poets and writers. It can be a pleasant atmosphere in the day, or a creepy one at night. I believe the ghost tours do pass through here at night. I can see why a scene from Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" was filmed here (the execution scene). This area can easily be adapted into a 17th century setting. It's another hidden close that shouldn't be missed while heading up to the castle.

A great place of history with points of interest dotted around from the walls to the ground, its…read morelike going back in time and I love it.

Wonderful lunch with decent service…read more Food: We shared a Highlands chicken and a meat pie. They were both great. The Highlands chicken was a work of art. It's a roasted chicken with haggis stuffed in it! Awesome! The meat pie has great flavor and nice chucks of meat! I probably have to turn myself in here.... Dessert: I ordered a fried Mars bar! Yes... I'm guilty. It was so sinfully delicious

We arrived late to Edinburgh and went on a walk about and found The Canon's Gate about 9pm. What an…read moreamazing little place. Please do not pass this gem Up. Lots of locals so we know this The Canon's Gate would not disappoint. We did a couple of whiskey flights and ordered fish & chips and bangers and mash. Flights were expertly designed and the food was very traditional and spot on. Their team was perfectly attentive. Loved our night here!

I thoroughly enjoyed my tour with The Cadies & Witchery Tours. I was looking for an intimate…read moreexperience where I felt comfortable asking questions and this was it!!! From the moment I walked into their storefront to inquire about the tour options... I met with Robin and felt right at home. She mentioned that this was a newer tour that Robert researched and put together in 2020. It was rich in history, unique stories, and we had the ability to ask questions along the way (while exploring Greyfriars Kirkyard). If you are looking for a tour that gives you a genuine feel for the souls that have been laid to rest in Greyfriars, this is it.

We had fun on this tour and for us that is what matters. The tour guides were fun, they dressed up…read moreas characters, got into it and were fun. One person did the tour as one character and the other came in as a character and surprised us coming in as different characters every so often. This was about the tour guides being fun and the story told around different streets. If you are wanting serious ghostly locations and happenings this maybe is not for you. It may also good for older children. We had good fun and for £10 per person was good value.

Greyfriars Bobby is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Located just in front of…read morethe entrance to the Greyfriars Kirk can be found the bronze statue of Bobby. Hundreds of fans flock here every day to pay their respects, all eager to get a closer look at their doggy hero. History and why it is famous- and trust me guys, he is inthe same league as Hachi- Bobby, born in 1856, was a Terrier who spent over 14 years guarding the grave of his beloved owner. John - a dedicated nightwatchman for the Edinburgh City Police Force - carried out his duties with his trusty companion night after night. After John's untimely death in 1858, Bobby refused to leave his master's grave until the day he died himself. The rumours about this little dog began to spread far and wide, and Bobby soon had quite the fan base. In 1867, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presented him with his very own collar. This gesture signified that Bobby was a licensed dog, meaning that he was protected against the new law that had recently been enforced, which stated that all unlicensed dogs would be destroyed. Bobby passed away in January 1872, and as a final token of his loyalty, was buried close to his master in the Kirkyard. A granite fountain with a statue can be found opposite Greyfriars Kirkyard - a permanent memorial to this faithful pup. Bobby's grave can be found immediately inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard. He was buried close to his much-loved John, ensuring that the pair's astonishing bond would never be broken. It is not uncommon for doting visitors to leave sticks, dog toys, and flowers on his grave.

It's the statue of a cute Skye Terrier named Bobby. A loyal dog who is said to have stayed at…read moreGreyfriars Kirkyard near his master's grave for 14 years until his death in 1872. He lived to be 16 years old with the help of the community who knew his master, John Gray. Bobby was buried in the courtyard entrance of the kirkyard near his grave. This statue is on Candlemaker Row across the street from Greyfriars Bobby Bar (named after this special little doggie). People continue to rub his nose for good luck. As you can see, the paint has rubbed off his nose. It's still a nice statue and tribute. We just happened to see it on our way to the National Museum of Scotland. It was a great little discovery.

OK, it seems clear that the previous reviewers don't understand the mystery of labyrinths, so allow…read moreme to enlighten y'all... Labyrinths are hugely popular these days and are being constructed all over the world. They are really cool tools to work with to enhance your intuitive and spiritual development. Unlike a maze, which has many paths and choices to make, a labyrinth has only one path. Where a maze is an intellectual left-brain puzzle to be solved, a labyrinth is an intuitive, right-brain meditative experience. You don't have to make any decisions whilst walking the labyrinth, so the left-brain analytical side of your brain can take a nap and let your intuitive right-brain run things for a bit. Many people find this a very therapeutic and healing experience, which is why a lot of labyrinths get installed in hospitals and hospices. People have claimed relief from arthritis, Parkinson's and many other ailments from regular labyrinth walking. Often you can gain insight into a tricky problem or life decision by simply asking the question and then walking the labyrinth with an open heart and mind. There are many uses of the labyrinth. Labyrinths are sacred spaces. Like the stone circles and henges of old, they are great places to hold ceremony and enhance your spiritual side. The act of walking the labyrinth actually creates subtle electrical changes in the brain as you move back and forth through the geomagnetic field of the Earth, resulting in a mild altered state - in much the same way as whirling dervishes or other ecstatic dancers create a similar effect by spinning or jumping up and down. At a bare minimum, you will feel less stressed and more relaxed mentally after walking a labyrinth. There are several varieties of labyrinth, but the two most well-known are the 7-circuit Classical (sometimes called Cretan) labyrinth, and the 11-circuit medieval labyrinth, which is what we have here. This particular one is a replica of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France, which is the best-preserved surviving example of this type. The Medieval pattern is very popular in Christian circles because of the cross-quartered pattern, and it was popularised by Dr. Lauren Artress, the Canon of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, who founded an organisation called Veriditas to train labyrinth facilitators. This particular labyrinth was commissioned by the former Chaplain of Edinburgh University, Di Williams, who is a Veriditas Trainer. It was built in 2004 by Dumfries-based land artist and labyrinthophile Jim Buchanan with the design assistance of the University's architect, using Portuguese granite setts and resin-impregnated gravel. As a dowser and labyrinth consultant myself, I was the site geomancer on the project, which involved dowsing for the exact positioning of, the alignment and ceremonial activation of the labyrinth. It is sited on a power centre in the gardens - a spot where rising underground water combines with yang energy leys - a similar combination of energies is found at the altars of older churches and this is one of the main characteristics that defines sacred space. Since it was constructed it has become a popular spot with students, local office workers and visitors alike. Walk it with open heart and mind, pay attention to your feelings and thoughts as you do so, and you'll soon be won over by the magic of the labyrinth.

I don't know very much about the labyrinth in George Square Gardens. I can't tell you when it was…read morebuilt, or by who, or for what purpose. I just know that it's kind of cool, a little concrete maze in the middle of the park where you can wander on the twisty paths. There is probably supposed to be a spiritual or contemplative dimension to the experience you have here, as a place for reflection. Or something. Anyway, it's open to anyone, so you're free to make of it what you will.

Jacobs ladder aka stairway to heaven aka Regents road is a very step narrow flight of steps leading…read morefrom Carton road to Regents Road where at the top you will see Nelson monument and overlooking Waverley station. i took one flight of steps and thought to myself this isn't too bad only to be hit with a further steep flight of steps which was tougher but worth the hike for the view. It would be lovely at night as there are lights underneath the handrail but not sure about how safe it would be at night.

My friend and I were directed by Google Maps to get up the hill to St. Andrews House from Holyrood…read morePalace via a steep walking trail, but we manage to get off course when we took the wrong fork after a steep climb on a walking path. We ran across and had to take Jacob's Ladder to get back up to Regent Road where we can take our bus back to our hotel. These stairs are narrow, steep and uneven. So watch where you're stepping. There's lots of steps too, so take your time. There are great views from up there, so it'll be all worth it. You can also continue on up to Calton and see the National Monument and Nelson's Monument.

From Mile to Cowgate... A great short cut in Old Town…read more.. A fav of ghost tours.

This is a secret place.. well not really, but it is not one for many tourists to wonder in on…read morepurpose. It is quite steep (going up or down) You find a small entrance right beside the Parliament Square and is easily overlooked due to the impressive buildings alongside. The area is a staunch favourite for literary and ghost tours. It has an excellent whisky bar on it as well. With the arrival Wings on the close (one of the Edinburgh's underground favourite restaurants) I wouldn't be surprised this little close will become a big hit - which would sadden me as I like spending an evening out at Wings, watch the tours go by on their terrace and by the dimmed Christmas tree lights whisper sweet nothing to my darling.. Anyhow, this is a close with a future (not just a past) stay tuned!