Basement

Today I had a delayed visit to Mary King’s Close. The original planned date clashed with the trip up the Forth Road Bridge in September. This is a model of what the close used to look like.

In 1753 the city fathers decided to build out on the level from the Royal Mile to create a new trading centre - the Royal Exchange. To achieve this they took down the upper levels of 4 closes (or narrow streets) of 12 story high 16th century buildings. Some they filled with rubble to provide the foundations for Adam’s building, now the City Chambers. (The Royal Exchange did not work as a concept).

Mary King’s Close, named after an early 17th century business woman did not need to be filled in so the street is now part of the basement. Technically it is not underground.

It was a fascinating tour with horrendous (to our 21st century eyes) living conditions. You saw where 12 people lived in a small room with a low ceiling, straw on the floor and one bucket as a toilet. There was a byre where 12 cattle were housed. And so on. And don’t mention the rats (and their fleas which brought the plague). The description of how the authorities and (the 2 doctors for the city) treated the plague made Covid restrictions seem a doddle.

Well worth a visit but sadly photos not allowed inside.