02 Jul 2019
REAL MARY KINGS CLOSE UNVEILS UNDERGROUND OLD CURIOSITY GIN TASTING TOUR
Real Mary King's Close, the five-star visitor attraction located underneath the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh, is teaming up with local herb and gin experts – The Old Curiosity Distillery – to offer unique gin-tasting tours.
Paying homage to the famous illicit gin trade of 18th century Edinburgh and the plague doctors who used botanical to ward off disease, the late-night tour will be an opportunity to learn about the origins of gin production in the city while enjoying a range of exclusive and specially selected Old Curiosity gins, deep underground in the historic city.
Visitors will learn about why the Dutch traded genever (gin's precursor), the adventures of local smugglers, and the distilling innovations that led to Edinburgh's lengthy love affair with this chameleon spirit. They will get the chance to explore the life and times of Edinburgh's first plague doctor – Joannes Paulitius – to discover why herbs were thought to protect the doctor from deadly plague epidemic and why he wore the distinctive beaked mask.
The late night 1.5 hour guided tours cost £35 and will take place every Wednesday in August and Saturday in September. Accompanied by a gin expert, visitors will be given four gins to taste, including: Apothecary Rose, Lemon Verbena, and Chamomile & Cornflower, followed by a plague doctor inspired Lavender & Echinacea gin cocktail.
Paul Nixon, General Manager from The Real Mary Kings Close, said: “Given Edinburgh's unique history and connection with gin, hosting an Old Curiosity Gin tour with their award-winning range, all made right here in Edinburgh, made perfect sense. There is a wealth of stories waiting to be told about the illicit stills, plague doctors and their connection with herbs and botanicals, including their characteristics, flavours and supposed magical properties. The Real Mary King's Close is a truly unique attraction and this tour allows visitors to explore these underground streets in a totally different context - bringing history alive while discovering the fascinating origins of gin.”
Francesca Martin, Events and Marketing Manager at Old Curiosity adds:
“We're delighted to be partnering with The Real Mary King's Close. We can't wait to share the interesting history of gin and showcase our creations in a unique setting.”
The Real Mary King's Close is a five-star visitor attraction located on Edinburgh's historic and world-famous Royal Mile. Visitors are taken on a journey into a warren of uniquely preserved 17th century streets, which were once home to a thriving community
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Media enquiries including interviews and sample opportunities please contact: Martha Bryce at martha@soundbitepr.co.uk or telephone 07905 761 525.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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- Ticket Price: £35pp
- Every Wednesday throughout August (Time: 21:45 – 23:15 (1 hour and 30 mins)
- Every Saturday throughout September (Time: 21:15 – 22:45 (1 hour and 30 mins)
- Dates: The tours start on Wednesday August 7th 2019.
- Over 18s only (ID may be required)
- Advanced booking is recommended, and tickets can be booked online or at the venue.
About The Real Mary King's Close
The Real Mary King's Close is a VisitScotland five-star accredited visitor attraction located on Edinburgh's historic and world-famous Royal Mile. Bringing Edinburgh's hidden history to life, visitors are taken on a journey into the past as they delve into a warren of streets under the city frozen in time. Visitors embark on a one-hour social history tour through the uniquely preserved 17th Century streets and spaces, accompanied by a costumer character guide.
- Thistle award winner for Best Heritage Tourism Experience 2019
- Since opening in 2003, the visitor attraction has welcomed over 2.75 million guests.
- 2018-19 was a record-breaking year with 256,000 visitors.
- The site offers a range of bespoke themed events, group activities, educational visits, venue hire, and a retail area filled with authentic Scottish gifts and produce.
- The Real Mary King's Close is proud to be a Silver Investors in People.
- Since opening, the attraction has donated over £60k to charities both at home and nationally.
- Lothian and Borders regional winner of the two Scottish Thistle awards for Best Visitor Attraction and Best Heritage Tourism Experience.
- Winner of the first Service Excellence award at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce business awards 2019.
About Old Curiosity Gins
The Old Curiosity Distillery was founded in the Secret Herb Garden, a botanical nursery just outside Edinburgh. The herbs are grown, picked, dried and infused by hand, so they are guaranteed to be 100% natural.
The Secret Herb Garden opened in 2014, and is the brainchild of Hamish and Liberty Martin. Hamish was a wine merchant with a passion for herbs and a dream of a magical herb garden, while Liberty was a resource manager with a love of all things vintage. Hamish studied for a Diploma in Herbology at Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in 2013 and after securing a 7.5 acre plot of land at the foot of the Pentlands, the couple left their existing roles and set up the nursery, café and shop.
The Old Curiosity Distillery launched in October 2017; born of the couple's love of fine herbs and botanicals; their characteristics, flavours and magical properties. In March 2019, the team launched Gin Garden Tours, allowing visitors to walk around the UK's first and only pure working gin botanical garden, and in April they introduced a Gin Club, where members receive a unique, limited edition 20cl gin - created especially for Club members and unavailable from retailers – as well as the perfect mixer and a delicious, freshly-picked garnish, through their letterbox every month.
Old Curiosity Gin is stocked in Harrods, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum and Masons and other retailers throughout the UK.
www.theoldcuriosity.co.uk
