Spooky story could bring sweet treats for Edinburgh School

Children from schools around Edinburgh are being invited to write new spooky stories in a competition being run by The Real Mary King’s Close, with an exclusive ‘trick or treat’ prize for the award winning entry – and their whole class!

Throughout September and October, children will be encouraged to write spooky stories based on the underground close of Edinburgh’s High Street, either taking inspiration from some of the real characters who lived and worked there, or creating a whole new cast of characters for a Halloween tale. The best entry will win the chance of a free visit to The Real Mary King’s Close to ‘trick or treat’ on the famous cobbles!

“As far as we know, we have never had any trick or treaters on the Close, but there may well have been ‘guisers’ going back in time, as this tradition of knocking on doors dates back many centuries,” comments General Manager, Craig Miller. “For our winning class of children, we’ll bring this tradition back to life, with seven of our costumed guides waiting behind the doors on the morning of 31 October – a wonderful way to recreate a tradition in a safe, dry environment.”

The characters they meet will include Walter King, the Foul Clenger – a man employed to clean houses affected by the plague – Agnes Chambers, a 17thcentury maid, and an 18thcentury poet named Robert Fergusson.

Children can enter the competition either individually, in groups, or indeed, as a whole class. Up to 30 children can take part on the Close ‘guising’ visit as the prize. Entrants must be aged between six and 13 years old. Entries should be submitted through the class teacher, and received at The Real Mary King’s Close no later than 6.00pm on Monday 8 October 2012.

For more information, please contact Lisa Robshaw on 0131 225 0678 or visit www.realmarykingsclose.com .

The Real Mary King’s Close is open daily from 10.00am to 9.00pm. Admission prices are from £12.50 for adults, £11.00 for seniors and students and £7.00 for children aged 5 to 15. The attraction is unsuitable for children aged under 5. Prebooking is recommended by calling 0845 070 6244 or online at www.realmarykingsclose.com.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO – The Real Mary King’s Close

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk