ASVA E-ZINE

Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the ASVA E-Zine

asva.co.uk [email protected] 07458 306982

The Real Mary King's Close to get miles better!

March 2015

The Real Mary King's Close is soon to take pride of place on The Royal Mile as part of a substantial refurbishment and expansion plan following a growth in visitor figures for the fifth year running.

The announcement comes as the five star Edinburgh attraction welcomes its 2 millionth visitor since opening back in 2003, having enjoyed a steady 3.6% year on year average growth in visitor numbers over the last five. Last year alone, the iconic attraction welcomed over 200,000 guests of which the majority were from outside the UK.

The £500,000 development is the largest investment into the attraction to date and marks a new phase in the Close's history that is set to significantly enhance the visitor experience both above and below ground. The six figure enhancements follow the £25,000 sum invested in the site in 2013 as part of ten year celebrations, ensuring that this popular five star attraction continues to bolster Edinburgh's tourism offering whilst exceeding visitor expectations.

Working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council, plans will see the attraction expanding its site with the reinstatement of original doorways on the Royal Mile to create a prominent on street presence. As well as improved access and facilities, a huge amount of the investment will make way for even more of Edinburgh's history to be revealed through visual effects and interactive features that compliment and preserve the historical fabric of the site.

Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "Mary King's Close is one of Edinburgh's five star award winning attractions and this redevelopment will really help to boost the visitor experience. Reinvesting in our attractions is key to ensure the Capital's Old Town continues to be a world class tourist destination. A share of the profits from The Real Mary King's Close is reinvested into the Council and its services, and hopefully locals will also feel encouraged to rediscover the Close and the history of their town's ancient streets. We are delighted to continue work with Continuum Attractions and offer the support of the Council's internal architects and listed building experts."

Chief Executive of Continuum Attractions FTS Juliana Delaney commented: "Working in close collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council, we are delighted to announce that The Real Mary King's Close will evolve again for its 12th season. Our much loved underground tour will delve deeper into the history of the Closes, a Scottish café will be opened in the beautiful courtroom, and most importantly, we will be reinstalling the two doors directly onto the Royal Mile – giving the thousands of visitors on the Royal Mile a high quality welcome into a new arrival area."

The attraction plans to remain open throughout the whole expansion process and visitors will still be able to enjoy the full underground experience during this time. The first phase of the new investments will be in place and ready to be enjoyed by visitors from 1st May 2015.

« back

Member News

People’s Palace launches ‘last chance to see’ campaign, before closing for major refurbishment
People are being encouraged to visit the People’s Palace, Glasgow before it closes on Sunday 14 April for major refurbishment. Funding secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund means the next stage of a transformational project can begin, which will completely reimagine and restore the much-loved museum and Winter Gardens glasshouse.
Read more »

Whisky Distilling has Officially Returned to Leith
The UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith, has officially started production in a milestone moment for the more than £12m, decade-long project officially marking the return of whisky distilling to Leith.
Read more »

Kelpies to be Mane Attraction as Tenth Anniversary Celebrations Revealed
One of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, The Helix, Home of The Kelpies, together with Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals, has announced plans for a special one-of-a-kind event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the iconic sculptures, Kelpies 10, which will take place on Saturday 27 April 2024.
Read more »

Scotland’s only circular castle, Rothesay Castle re-opens to visitors
Scotland’s only circular castle, Rothesay Castle, has re-opened to visitors after essential conservation work.
Read more »

Conifox Adventure Park set to give away 36,000 Mini Chocolate Eggs at Easter Event
Edinburgh’s Conifox Adventure Park is set to host its annual Easter Festival, promising hopping good fun for the whole family. And what’s more, the team will be giving away over 36,000 mini easter eggs over the course of the event.
Read more »

Glasgow’s Oldest House Reopens on Good Friday
Provand’s Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, will reopen on Friday 29 March 2024, the charity Glasgow Life has confirmed.
Read more »

The Macallan Collaborates with Cirque Du Soleil to Launch an Exclusive Sensory Experience to Mark 200 Years Young
To commemorate The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, the whisky brand has come together with Cirque du Soleil to create a bespoke, theatrical experience.
Read more »

Photo City: How Images Shape the Urban World
The invention of photography transformed the world, with the explosion of photographic experimentation in the mid-19th century coinciding with the rapid growth of cities across the globe.
Read more »

Royal Research Ship Discovery critical works thanks to National Heritage Memorial Fund support
Dundee Heritage Trust has received £1.4million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) to help save the Royal Research Ship Discovery. The Trust has announced that urgent conservation works are set to begin on the Royal Research Ship in February 2024.
Read more »

Iconic Image of Liner Goes from Pub Wall to Floor Show
A striking image that was the toast of regulars at a St Andrews pub for decades is to resurface elsewhere in the town.
Read more »

Epic 356-mile run around Scotland’s botanic gardens to save the world’s plants
Mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather and clouds of midges are all in a day’s work at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), as staff member George Sherriffs prepares for his new, ultra-marathon challenge - running an incredible 356 miles over eight days to help save the world’s plants.
Read more »

Discovering Degas – The Burrell Collection Announces First International, Ticketed Exhibition at the Reimagined Museum
A new blockbuster exhibition showcasing Sir William Burrell’s complete collection of prized works by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (1834-1917) will open at The Burrell Collection on Friday 24 May 2024, announced Glasgow Life, the charity who delivers culture and sport in the city.
Read more »

Aberdeen Science Centre is Walking on Sunshine After Receiving More Than £37,000 in Funding for Rooftop Solar Panels
Aberdeen Science Centre has been awarded more than £37,000 in funding to install rooftop solar panels, which will see the centre benefit from improved energy efficiency and a reduction in its energy bills.
Read more »

WWII Plane Propellor Discovery on Arran Sparks Investigation for National Trust For Scotland
The discovery of a propellor blade in a remote part of Arran, thought to be from a World War II plane, has sparked an investigation for the National Trust for Scotland as it tries to identify its origin.
Read more »