The Close of Christmas' Past
December 2014
He was the last person to leave The Real Mary King's Close and now Mr Chesney, the Close's resident saw doctor, is the latest character to be brought back to life as part of a brand new Christmas tour.
A far cry from the merriment of the festive markets adorning the city today, Mr Chesney will tell of the days when Christmas was like any other working day for Edinburgh's residents with most saving the celebrations and revelry for Hogmanay instead.
From the origins of blind man's bluff, charades and even the Christmas card, visitors will hear about how the Victorians transformed Christmas with the popularisation of Christmas carols and the evolution of the poor man's peasants' pudding into the fruit rich plum pudding that adorns our Christmas dinner table today.
Learn of the 'daft days' which ran from Christmas Eve until Twelfth Night – which included mischief-making and practical jokes – to the ban on celebrating Christmas that started in 1575 and was not officially lifted until 1958; surely paving the way for Edinburgh now playing host to one of the biggest New Year parties in the world.
Visitors keen to hear Mr Chesney's account of Christmas on the Close are advised to book ahead as tours are limited and will run at 5pm daily on 19th December through until 23rd December inclusive.
Added to the Christmas Tour, The Real Mary King's Close is one of 45 local businesses and attractions taking part in Decorate Edinburgh's Christmas Tree Trail. The 10ft themed tree is available to view in the attraction's shop which also affords a great opportunity to pick up any last minute Christmas gifts.
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