Video: The Real Mary King's Close celebrates 15th anniversary in style

Cocktails and claustrophobia were on the menu as the famous Royal Mile attraction revealed a new cast of character guides.

The Real Mary King’s Close celebrated the Royal Mile attraction’s 15th birthday with new rooms and a fresh cast of character guides.

Visitors who climb down the 38 steps to Mary King’s Close, below the Edinburgh City Chambers quadrangle, will find themselves in the abode of 16th Century Lord Provost Simon Preston of Craigmillar.

In the bed lies Mary Queen of Scots, under house arrest and in the perpetual company of armed guards.

Lord Provost Frank Ross opens Night of Sorrows room at The Real Mary Kings Close. Pic: Scott Louden

Edinburgh’s modern-day Lord Provost Frank Ross was present at the birthday bash and praised the attraction on continuing to “educate and enthrall” visitors from all over the world.

He said: “This new display telling the story of the night Mary Queen of Scots spent on the close is another fantastic addition for the attraction in this anniversary year.

Watch more: Take our 360-degree virtual tour of Mary King’s Close

“It is testament to Continuum Attractions and its approach to telling the city’s stories in new ways that The Real Mary Kings Close has consistently remained a five-star visitor attraction, and one of the most popular in the whole of Edinburgh.”

Guests were treated to a preview tours, led by some new faces, including the return of poet Robert Fergusson and a plague doctor that treated the unfortunate victims residing in Mary King’s Close.