Dr Arnott's Sampling Sensation

The Real Mary King's Close is running Dr Arnott's Sampling Sensation on Sunday 3 January 2027, a guided tour and workshop built around one of the Close's wealthiest and most intriguing former residents. Dr Arnott was a trained physician with a taste for the unconventional: he diagnosed his patients by examining their urine for colour, smell, and even taste. The whole experience puts you in his shoes, following his methods and ending by creating your own herbal remedy.

It's split into two parts. First, there's a one-hour guided tour through Edinburgh's hidden underground streets, where you'll see the preserved closes and hear the stories of the people who once lived there. After that, you move into a 30-minute hands-on workshop where you put your senses to the test and analyse samples, just as Arnott did. The tour is suitable for ages five and over, and audio guides are available in several languages. The workshop, however, is delivered in English only and doesn't have an audio guide.

One thing to keep in mind before you book: step-free access isn't available here. The underground streets have uneven surfaces, low lighting, and multiple steps, so it's not a route for anyone with mobility issues. If that's not a problem, it's a chance to spend a morning beneath the Royal Mile with a bit of hands-on history. Tickets are £27.50 to £35.00 per person, and the whole thing runs on Sunday 3 January at The Real Mary King's Close, 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG.