Welcome! My name is Roman, and this website is the result of a long-standing obsession with the “lost” history of Edinburgh.

I’ve always been fascinated by places that feel like time capsules. The first time I stood in the dark, silent streets of Mary King’s Close, I realized that Edinburgh isn’t just a city of stone and monuments—it’s a city of layers. There is an entire world beneath our feet that was simply walled over and forgotten for centuries.

I created Mary King’s Close Tickets because I wanted to build the resource I wished I had when I first moved here. I wanted a place that didn’t just sell a ticket, but explained the feeling of the underground.

Why I Do This

For me, history isn’t just about dates and kings; it’s about the people who lived in these closes—the merchants, the mothers, and the families who lived through the plague years.

However, planning a visit to these underground streets can be surprisingly stressful. Between the strict “No Under 5s” rules, the 58 steep stairs, and the confusion between different tour types, I saw too many people arrive at the Royal Mile feeling unprepared.

My goal is simple: To give you the most honest, practical, and “feet-on-the-ground” advice possible so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.

My Commitment to You

This site is a labor of love, and that means my advice is always independent:

• Honest Advice: If I think a tour might be too claustrophobic for you, or if I think you’d be better off taking the “Easy Route” up Cockburn Street to save your legs, I’ll tell you.
• Up-to-Date: I personally track the changes in Edinburgh’s tourism, from the new Essential vs. Standard ticket tiers to the best local “Park & Ride” hacks.
• An Independent Voice: I am a fan and a researcher, not an employee of the tours. This allows me to tell the truth about what to expect.

How This Site Stays Online

I want to be 100% transparent with you: This website is a labor of love, but it does have running costs. To keep my guides free for everyone and to allow me to spend my time researching Edinburgh’s “lost” stories, I participate in affiliate programs. This means:

• No Extra Cost to You: When you click a link here to book your tickets, the price remains exactly the same for you.
• Support for Independent Research: The small commission I receive helps me pay for hosting, site security, and the time it takes to keep these guides updated for 2026.
• Honest Recommendations: I am not an employee of The Real Mary King’s Close or the Edinburgh Vaults. I recommend these tours because I love them, not because someone paid me to say nice things. If a tour isn’t right for you, I will always tell you.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who chooses to book through my links—it’s essentially a way of saying “thanks” for the research, and it keeps this project alive.