I explored a network of haunted underground streets in Scotland, where visitors leave dolls for a ghost who lived there in the 17th century

Mikhaila FrielAug 20, 2021, 18:02 IST

I explored a series of underground streets in Scotland.Mikhaila Friel/Insider, The Real Mary King's Close

I spent a day exploring a network of underground streets in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Mary King's Close dates back to the 17th century and is said to be haunted.
After learning about the eerie history, I wouldn't be surprised if this was true.

Scotland's capital city Edinburgh is well known for its "closes," a Scots term used to describe narrow passageways between buildings.

Victoria Street, Edinburgh. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The Real Mary King's Close is a network of underground streets below the Royal Mile that is said to be haunted.

The entrance to The Real Mary King's close can be found below the gift shop, which is adjacent to the city chambers building (pictured). Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I purchased a $26 (£18.95) ticket for the guided tour of the site to explore whether it really was haunted.

The close entrance. The Real Mary King's Close

The tour guide led the group to a series of small rooms, which were once used to house families with up to 12 people.

The close was named after Mary King. The Real Mary King's Close

This room filled with children's dolls has a particularly creepy origin story.

Annie's dolls. The Real Mary King's Close

While I didn't spot any ghosts, I wouldn't find it hard to believe that the close is haunted by the residents who lived there.

The former cowshed at the Real Mary King's Close. The Real Mary King's Close

But my tour of Edinburgh's haunted closes didn't end there.

Advocate's Close. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

After researching the history of Advocate's Close, I found that this too had dark origins.

The sign next to Advocate's Close. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I then found Fleshmarket Close, which has been used as the inspiration behind two famous novels.

Fleshmarket Close. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

While many of these closes were used for photo shoots, others were abandoned and used to hold bicycles.

Semple's Close. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The city seems to poke fun at itself with Skinner's Close, an optical illusion mirror on the Royal Mile.

Skinner's Close. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I took a 19-hour, overnight Amtrak train. Here are 10 reasons why traveling by train is better than flying.

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