The Real Mary King’s Close announces plans for over £100K investment in 2020

Hankies at The Ready, The Plague Returns To Edinburgh For the First Time In Over 370 Years                                                                                                    

It has been a bumper year for award-winning Edinburgh visitor attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close, as the attraction exceeded over a quarter of a million visitors for the second time in its 16-year history, acquired a handful of awards, and announces plans for over £100K investment in 2020.

The Real Mary King’s Close, in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and underneath the streets of the bustling Royal Mile, brings the authentic stories from Edinburgh’s ‘hidden’ streets, houses and people to life. It maintains a position of ‘must-do’ on any visit to Edinburgh, as the attraction continues to listen to and adapt to visitor needs and trends in 2020.

Paul Nixon, General Manager, says “It has been a great year for The Real Mary King’s Close, as we ended the year with awards, including winner of ‘Best for Big Kids in Scotland’.

‘Remaining attractive in such a competitive tourism market is a good challenge, as it spurs the team to continue to offer the best visitor experience possible, and to be creative in how we are appealing to and attracting new and repeat visits. In 2019 we launched a new gin tasting tour and our family-friendly tours, complete with a Treasure Map and we’ve plenty of new ways to try and ensure we retain an important spot on peoples’ wish-list for any Edinburgh visit.’

There is a planned investment of over £100K in several key areas of the attraction in the spring, including an extension to The Plague story and a reinterpretation of Mary Queen of Scots’ visit. As with other attractions in the Continuum Group, digital technology will form a large part of the reinterpretation, working with set designers and talented Guest Experience Managers to create a highly appealing and quality experience for visitors.

A new free-flow experience will also be trialled during 2020. Currently the discovery of The Close is on small tours with a costumed guide in character. A free-flow visit will be trialled for up to 150 people at a time to discover at their leisure for a less structured visit, with the opportunity to meet 12 different character guides across the rooms. The visit can last up to 1.5 hours, will permit photography, and The Close has never previously operated in this way. It is anticipated that visitors will contribute to creating their own vibrant life and atmosphere on The Close.

Full details will be announced in early 2020, with new photography and assets available.

For further information www.continuumattractions.com

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