• House Tartan

  • An original tartan designed in Edinburgh
Shop now

  • Plague Ducktor

  • Designed exclusively for The Real Mary King's Close
Shop Now

House Tartan

An original tartan designed in Edinburgh Shop now

Plague Ducktor

Designed exclusively for The Real Mary King's Close Shop Now

From Edinburgh's Historical Heart

Welcome to The Real Mary King’s Close online shop, where we proudly showcase the finest offerings from our Gift Shop located at the heart of our historic attraction.

Explore our range of collections, each curated to reflect the unique legacy of Mary King's Close. Whether you're seeking a gift for a history enthusiast or simply a memento of Edinburgh's rich heritage, our selections cater to all tastes. From the Mary King's Exclusive collection to the characterful Plague Doctor collection, our online store promises a bespoke shopping experience filled with locally sourced gifts, artworks and artisan products that capture the essence of Edinburgh's rich history.

The Plague Ducktor collectable duck facing forward
The Plague Ducktor collectable duck from behind
A pile of Plague Ducktors at The Real Mary King's Close
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Plague Ducktor collectable duck facing forward
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, The Plague Ducktor collectable duck from behind
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, A pile of Plague Ducktors at The Real Mary King's Close

The Plague Ducktor

£10.00
£10.00
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Tax included.
Just like Edinburgh's last plague doctor, George Rae, our adorable rubber ducky dons a leather cloak and hat. On his face, he wears a long, beaked mask to keep out the "miasmas" (aka foul vapours in the air, which were believed to cause the plague). He also clutches sweet-smelling herbs and flowers in his hand. These were stuffed into the mask to prevent him from breathing in these plague-causing smells in the air...
 
Or so he thought! Little did George realise that what he was actually protecting himself against were deadly fleas carrying the bacteria, Yersinia Pestis. 
 
The Plague Ducktor was designed exclusively for The Real Mary King's Close and can be shipped to the USA. Individually hand-painted.
 
Information
 
Size: 120mm x 90mm x 120mm
Girl wearing a Kinloch Anderson tartan tie and kilt beside a woman in tartan waistcoat.

The Real Mary King's Close Tartan

A large part of the success of The Real Mary King's Close can be attributed to the Guest Services team, whose uniforms consist of either a tie, waistcoat or kilt embroidered with The Real Mary King’s Close tartan.

Rich red links the tartan to the location of Mary King's Close on the Royal Mile, while shades of grey reflect Edinburgh's historically smoky skyline and architectural make-up. Bright white celebrates the city's leading role in philosophy, literature and medicine during the Scottish Enlightenment.

The tartan was designed by the kiltmakers at Kinloch Anderson in 2013. We have worked hard to replicate their original design across all of the bespoke gifts and clothing in this collection.

  • image of 100% pure wool The Real Mary King's Close tartan scarf
    £20.00
    £20.00
    Sold out
  • the real mary king's close butter shortbread
    £5.75
    £5.75
    Sold out
  • jan laird loveheart decoration with the real mary king's close tartan
    £7.95
    £7.95
    Sold out
  • The Real Mary King's Close tweed clootie purse
    £14.00
    £14.00
    Sold out
  • Black leather heart keyring with The Real Mary King's Close tweed decoration
    £7.50
    £7.50
    Sold out
  • The Real Mary King's Close chocolate chip shortbread tub with shortbread biscuits piled on either side
    £5.75
    £5.75
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Dr Arnott

Dr Arnott, known for his unorthodox methods, was not your typical apothecary. His approach to examining his patients' health was as unique as it was unconventional – he would meticulously analyse their urine, scrutinising its colour, scent, and yes, even its taste!

Now, in our new Dr Arnott Collection, we pay homage to the curious spirit of this real former resident of Mary King's Close.

Within this collection, you'll discover an assortment of 17th century medical tubes, preserves, and apothecary jars that might just astonish you with their unexpected burst of flavour.

Man in red 17th century coat holding a circular jug of urine on mary king's close
Top-view of Jar of Dr Arnott's "Blood" - Strawberry preserve
Strawberry jam being spread on a slice of bread
Strawberry jam spilling onto a table
apothecary jar of blood (strawberry preserve) sold in the real mary king's close gift shop
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Top-view of Jar of Dr Arnott's "Blood" - Strawberry preserve
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Strawberry jam being spread on a slice of bread
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Strawberry jam spilling onto a table
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, apothecary jar of blood (strawberry preserve) sold in the real mary king's close gift shop

Dr Arnott's Blood Jar

£3.50
£3.50
Sold out
Tax included.

No 17th century physician's medical desk could be complete without some apothecary jars filled with strange and pungent ingredients. In the time of Dr Arnott, a real physician who once lived on Mary King's Close, it was essential to analyse and sample patients' internal fluids in order to concoct them an effective cure. 

A jar of Blood would certainly indicate that some bloodletting has been going on, which was commonly believed to treat headaches and vertigo. Fortunately, our medical sample tastes rather more like Strawberry Preserve...

Information

Weight: 114g

Ingredients:  Sugar, Strawberries, Gelling Agent: Pectin, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid. Prepared with 45g Fruit per 100g. Total Sugar Content 62g per 100g.
Dietary and Allergy Advice:  May also contain nuts.
 
Store in cool, dry conditions, out of direct sunlight. 
Refrigerate after opening.
__________________________________________________

Nutritional Information. Typical Values per 100g:
Energy kJ/kcal: 1014kJ/253kcal
Fat: 0g
- of which saturates: 0g
Carbohydrate: 63g
- of which sugars: 63g
Protein: 0.3g
Salt: 0.02g

Apothecary Collection

17th century apothecary jars were filled with all sorts of natural ingredients such as herbs, spices, salts and insects, which were harnessed by local physicians to treat common ailments.

Explore the scents and remedies of Early Modern Edinburgh by browsing this beautifully selected range of hand crafted soaps, ingredient books and home décor. Each product pays homage to the locals and apothecaries who once trusted in herbal remedies to fumigate illnesses as familiar to us as the common cold, as well as historically infamous diseases as virulent as the plague.

  • Test tube necklace filled with colourful stones, laid against dried flowers and an open book
    £5.00
    £5.00
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  • Chest of Dr Arnott's
    £12.00
    £12.00
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  • The Herb Almanac by Chelsea Physic Garden front cover displayed on a wooden slatted table
    £12.99
    £12.99
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  • forager's handbook stood upright on wooden table
    £10.99
    £10.99
    Sold out
  • The Physick Garden by Alice Smith book displayed on a wooden slatted table
    £16.00
    £16.00
    Sold out
  • Dr Arnott's
    £3.50
    £3.50
    Sold out
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