A total of £500,000 is to be invested in The Real Mary King's Close in Edinburgh.

The investment by tourist attraction operator Continuum Attractions has been made in agreement with Edinburgh Council. It will mark a new phase of the attraction's history, which has enjoyed a 3.6% year-on-year average increase in visitor numbers over the last five years.

The funding will be used to enhance the visitor experience at the site, both above and below the ground, and follows on from a previous investment in 2013. The plans will see the attraction increasing its site by reinstating the original doorways on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile in order to create a prominent on-street presence. Access to the site, as well as its facilities, will also be improved, while visual effects and interactive features will be created to complement and preserve the historical fabric of the site.


It is thought the attraction will remain open while the expansion project is underway. The first phase of work is expected to be completed by the start of May 2015.

Welcoming the investment, Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "The Real Mary King's Close is one of Edinburgh's five star award winning attractions and this redevelopment will really help to boost the visitor experience.

"Reinvesting in our attractions is key to ensure the Capital's Old Town continues to be a world class tourist destination. A share of the profits from The Real Mary King's Close is reinvested into the Council and its services, and hopefully locals will also feel encouraged to rediscover the Close and the history of their town's ancient streets.

"We are delighted to continue work with Continuum Attractions and offer the support of the Council's internal architects and listed building experts."

Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum Attractions, added: "Working in close collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council, we are delighted to announce that The Real Mary King's Close will evolve again for its 12th season.

"Our much loved underground tour will delve deeper into the history of the Closes, a Scottish café will be opened in the beautiful courtroom, and most importantly, we will be reinstalling the two doors directly onto the Royal Mile – giving the thousands of visitors on the Royal Mile a high quality welcome into a new arrival area."

(JP/IT)