We will be in Scotland next month. We want to do The Real Mary's Close tour this time. Does anyone recommend a good 1 hour tour, or should we just do the one they offer? I am looking for an historical tour, not a hokey ghost story tour.

The Real Mary King's Close is offered by . . . The Real Mary King's Close. That is the only option.. It is a commercially run tourist attraction -- worth it -- but its not a street one can just visit.

I have seen companies offering 2 hour tours.

You may mean Viator. If so, Viator doesn't 'do' tours -- they're merely an agent that resells the tours offered by the actual operator.

It is possible these companies are essentially making you pay for their tour, which may include admission to the Real Mary's Close. You will likely end up paying more when you can go directly to the attraction.

Why pay more if you don't have to? If you want the additional....stuff....your call.

AFAIK 'The Real Mary King's Close' (AKA Continuum Attractions) is the only entity offering tours -- they have the exclusive contract from the City of Edinburgh. Maybe other companies sub-contract from them but if so they would still only be the same tour offered by the original.

Take a flashlight along. A member of the tour fainted in the middle of the tour and the guide needed her flashlight to get help. Luckily I was prepared and had one. There was no other lighting in that particular section.