Edinburgh is known for its majestic castles, cobbled streets, and gothic charm. Yet, beneath this historic city is a hidden world filled with forgotten alleyways and old legends that have shaped its character for centuries. Now, a new tour invites visitors to explore the eerie folklore that still lingers in its darkest corners.
This September, The Real Mary King’s Close is launching a brand-new “Myths and Legends Tour,” inviting the brave and the curious to step into the dimly lit alleyways beneath the Royal Mile. Here, amidst the shadows, the tales that once struck fear into the hearts of Edinburgh’s residents are being brought back to life.
But are these just stories? Or do they hint at something more?
Where Monsters and Myths Were Born
Delve Deeper
The tour introduces visitors to some truly unusual characters. There’s the Glaistig, a half-woman, half-goat figure who was believed to guard cattle but could also play tricks on travelers. And then there are the headless drummers, whose ghostly drumming was said to warn of danger.
The Will-o’-the-Wisp, a strange light that once flickered over the bogs and marshes around the city, is another legend. For centuries, people thought these lights were fairies or spirits leading travelers into danger. Today, science explains them as marsh gas, but in the past, they were seen as a real threat.
The tour also touches on one of Edinburgh’s most enduring and perplexing mysteries: the discovery of 17 miniature coffins on Arthur’s Seat in 1836. To this day, no one knows for sure who created them or why. Were they a chilling tribute to the victims of Burke and Hare, the infamous body-snatchers? Or were they part of a more arcane, ritualistic practice, a remnant of the city’s deep-seated pagan roots?
The Psychology of a Spooky Story
Why do these stories still fascinate us? Maybe it’s because they speak to our basic fears – of the dark, the unknown, and strange noises at night. In a world that often felt unpredictable, these tales helped people make sense of things they couldn’t explain. A sudden illness might be blamed on a spirit, or a bad harvest on unhappy fairies.
These legends also helped keep people safe. Parents warned their children not to go near the marshes, saying the Glaistig might get them. Stories about headless drummers may have been a way to keep people from going out at night when the city was dangerous.
But more than that, these stories are a direct link to the hopes, fears, and beliefs of the people who walked these same streets hundreds of years ago. They are a reminder that for all our scientific advancements, there is still a part of us that is drawn to the mysterious, the magical, and the macabre. As a representative from The Real Mary King’s Close told the NEN;
These legends reveal the fears and beliefs of the real people who lived here, and experiencing them underground, in the streets where these lives unfolded, makes the past feel immediate and alive.โ
If you want to explore Edinburgh’s hidden history and don’t mind a little darkness, this tour could be perfect for you. You can find more details and book tickets on their website. For an even deeper experience, consider staying in one of the city’s historic hotels.
In Pure Spirit
These myths and legends show how much people need stories. They’re not just scary tales for campfires – they offer a glimpse into the city’s past and the people who lived here. What do you think? Are these just stories, or could there be some truth to them? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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