What kind of crazy people book a tour for New Years Day. We do!

We had hoped to visit The Real Mary King's Close on New Years Eve. However when we rocked up for a quick visit we were told that you could only enter on a tour and all the tours for new years eve had already been taken. We made a booking for the next day, but the latest time they could offer was 11am. We handed over the fee fully intending to drag ourselves out of bed on New Years Day with or hopefully without a hangover.

New Years Day dawned and we rolled out of bed and trudged over to the Royal Mile one last time. Andrew and Natalie turned to their old friend coffee and I sought salvation in a can in the form of Red Bull. It was time to push through the hangover barrier.

The Real Mary King's Close is a group of closes (closed streets) that were sealed off when the Royal Exchange was built over the top of them. We were guided through the close by "Walter King". Our guide was a real Scotsman and had the best accent ever! It was a pleasure just listening to him. Since our visit to Scotland, I've tried hard to introduce the word "wee" into my vocabulary. (Andrew and I affectionately call each other a wee bit stupid. Don't we have a wonderful relationship!).

The tour was very interesting and we learnt a lot about the history of Edinburgh:

• Gardy Loo -- The houses on the Royal Mile are surprisingly tall, sometimes as high as 12 stories. In the old days, there was no plumbing or sanitation and the toilet was just a bucket in the corner. Of course, this bucket needed to be emptied. At 10 o'clock each day, residents would tip the contents of the bucket out the window with the cry "Gardy Loo". Anyone out on the street at this time would duck in to a doorway, or get caught out in an unusual shower. (Apparently this is an anglicised version of the French "Gardez l'eau" meaning "watch the water". Sarah? Is this true? Google translations says differently)
  
  
• The Plague -- Edinburgh experienced a severe outbreak of plague in 1645 and a large percentage of the population died. People suffering from plague were quarantined within their houses. Food and drink was delivered to them daily. They were quarantined for periods of up to 6 weeks or until they died. Whichever came first.
  
  
• Little Annie -- Mary Kings Close is famous for the ghost of a child. The ghost of Annie was discovered by a Japanese psychic who felt her presence. The psychic sensed that Annie was sad and lonely because she had lost her doll. They believe that Annie had been quarantined in the room after she fell sick with the plague. The psychic rushed out and bought a doll and left it in the room. Apparently afterwards the psychic sensed that the ghost was now happy. Visitors now bring dolls and stuffed toys to leave in the room to keep Annie company.

We really enjoyed the tour and found it to be very interesting. I think we should give a big pat on the back to our guide who was extremely entertaining and made us all laugh even though we were slightly under the weather. The Real Mary Kings Close was well worth a visit.

After a quick brunch at Always Sunday we split up and went separate ways. Andrew went to climb Arthur's Seat, Natalie went to visit Holyrood Palace and I went to see Greyfriars church.

Next up: Andrew's adventures on Arthur's Seat (mebbe...)