The Ghosts of Mary King’s Close: Edinburgh’s Haunted Underground Street



Beneath the bustling streets of Edinburgh, hidden from view, lies Mary King’s Close—one of Scotland’s most famous haunted locations. This underground warren of narrow alleys and abandoned homes, once a thriving part of the city's Old Town, was sealed off in the 17th century and left to decay. But the past is never truly buried, and visitors to Mary King’s Close have reported ghostly apparitions, chilling whispers, and unexplained touches in the darkness.

A Dark and Tragic History

Mary King’s Close was once a lively residential street, home to merchants, traders, and families. However, in 1645, the bubonic plague devastated Edinburgh, and this once-thriving area became a place of horror and suffering. Plague victims were quarantined here, left to die in agony. Some were sealed inside their homes, their doors marked with red crosses to warn others.

Bodies were stacked in the close, and many believed the souls of the dead never truly moved on.

By the 18th century, much of Mary King’s Close had been built over, effectively entombing it underground. But even today, its ghosts remain active, haunting visitors who dare to explore its eerie depths.

Ghostly Encounters in Mary King’s Close

Annie, the Lonely Plague Child:

One of the most famous spirits of Mary King’s Close is Annie, a young girl who is believed to have died of the plague in the 1600s. In 1992, a visiting psychic, Aiko Gibo, sensed Annie’s presence in a small room. Annie reportedly tugged at her skirt and said she had been abandoned by her family. The spirit was crying for her lost doll, which had been taken away when she fell ill. Moved by the ghost’s sadness, the psychic left a doll in the room.

Since then, visitors have continued to leave dolls, toys, and gifts for Annie, and her room has become a shrine. Some claim to have felt a child’s cold hand touching theirs, while others report hearing soft crying echoing through the corridors.

The Phantom Plague Victims

Many who visit Mary King’s Close report seeing shadowy figures and hearing faint coughing and moaning, as if the plague victims are still suffering in the darkness. Dark, faceless shapes have been spotted moving in the alleys.

Some visitors claim to have felt sudden chills or the sensation of being watched. Tour guides and staff members have seen figures in 17th-century clothing disappear into thin air.

The Spirit of the Watchman

A ghostly man in black, possibly a former watchman or city guard, has been seen patrolling the close. He appears near doorways and archways, silently observing visitors before fading away. Some believe he was one of the men assigned to monitor plague victims, ensuring they did not escape their doomed fate.

Unexplained Noises and Sensations

Visitors and ghost hunters alike have experienced strange sensations and unexplained noises, including:

• Whispering voices and sudden footsteps when no one else is around.
• Doors creaking and slamming on their own.
• Unseen hands brushing against people’s arms and legs.

Even the bravest paranormal investigators admit that Mary King’s Close has an unsettling energy, as if the spirits of Edinburgh’s forgotten residents are still trapped below.

A Haunted Attraction and Paranormal Hotspot

Today, Mary King’s Close is one of Edinburgh’s most popular ghost tour destinations. The underground streets are open to the public, allowing visitors to walk through history—and perhaps encounter a spirit or two. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, stepping into Mary King’s Close is like stepping back in time, into a world of darkness, disease, and restless spirits.

Would you dare to enter, knowing that Annie and the lost souls of the plague may be waiting for you?