Mary King and I have much in common.
We’re both single (she a widow) with grown children; both of us are entrepreneurs with small success and live in comfort. But the comfort of Mary King was a far cry from my own. You see, Mary lived in 17th century Edinburgh in a ‘close’.
Closes were very narrow streets with tall (seven or eight storey) buildings closely set together on either side of the road. These were often named for the businesses in them – Baker’s Close, Advocates Close, Tanner’s Close, etc. Or they may have been named for the notable residents living in them.
Such is Mary King’s Close. Continue reading
Want to greet a ghost or sleep with a spectre? Wales is reputedly one of the most haunted countries in the world and its castles, stately homes, pubs and even abbey ruins can give a whole new meaning to getting into the spirit of the place. Here are six of the most spirited spots. 
