Rain falls on underground Mary King’s Close

It seems even underground streets can’t escape Edinburgh’s wet weather as for the first time in over 100 years, it’s begun to rain on Mary King’s Close.

It's the first time rain has happened in Mary King's close in 100 years. Picture: Contributed

The visitor’s attraction in Edinburgh’s old town is situated below the City Chambers and with all the rain Edinburgh has been receiving the quadrangle outside has become extremely wet.

The rain water has then leaked down into the underground street, Mary King’s Close, below creating an almost rain like effect.

This is the first time it has rained on the Close in over 100 years.

The audience enjoy the guide's humour during the new "Dark Truth" tour of the normally dry Mary King's Close. Picture: Contributed

General Manager, Craig Miller said: “We have taken the opportunity to make the most of Edinburgh’s wet weather and the leak onto our Close by having some fun with our visitors. Posing for a photograph with an umbrella while it rains in an underground street is a not a daily occurrence and unique experience for visitors. Seeing it rain on the Close should be available today only while repairs take place.”

Mary King’s Close is one of the old town’s top visitors attractions.

The underground closes there were usually named after the most prominent citizen or the most commonly found business to be on the close.

Documents show that Mary King was a prominent businesswoman in the 1630’s. At that time she was a widow and a mother of four, who traded in fabrics and sewed for a living. It was highly unusual for a close to be named after a woman at that time, indicating Mary’s standing in the town.