Whether you’re a newbie to Scotland’s capital or lived here all your life, it’s worth taking a detour from the bustling Royal Mile and venturing down one of the famous thoroughfare’s numerous closes.
Edinburgh Old Town’s alleyways, known locally as closes, have a history going back centuries, and each of them differs in style, character and age.
But with more than 70 closes in the city’s historic heart to choose from, it can be quite a task to venture down them all, so we’ve narrowed it down to nine closes that are absolute must-visits during your stay in Edinburgh.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Old Town closes transformed to make them safer
Advocate’s Close
Dating back to the 15th century, Advocate’s Close was at one time one of Edinburgh’s most fashionable addresses. Today it’s a popular spot to take a picture, with the arch of the close’s pend providing a perfect frame for the Scott Monument on Princes Street on the opposite side of the old Nor’ Loch valley.
Riddle’s Court
Tucked away behind the Lawnmarket at the Edinburgh Castle end of the Royal Mile, picturesque Riddle’s Court is a delight. The main attraction here is the A-listed tenement building which dates back 500 years. A major £6 million restoration project was completed here in 2017, breathing new life into the old court.
Brodie’s Close
Named after a former resident, Deacon William Brodie, who was a respectable figure in 18th century Edinburgh yet turned to thievery at night, Brodie’s Close has quite a story to tell. It’s worth stopping here to admire the beauty and history, but also don’t forget to visit the excellent Deacon’s House Cafe, for a little light refreshment.
Mary King’s Close
You can really get up close and personal with the past by venturing down Mary King’s Close. The historic alley is situated underneath Edinburgh’s old Royal Exchange, now the City Chambers, and features preserved 17th century homes that were closed to the public for decades. The ancient subterranean close, which is reputedly haunted, is now a major tourist attraction, the Real Mary King’s Close.
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Whitehorse Close
This quiet Canongate close is renowned for its beauty and truly feels as if you’ve stepped back in time. The old buildings here, which were heavily restored in the 1960s, give a glimpse of what life was like in Edinburgh in centuries past.
Anchor Close
Heading down dark and narrow Anchor Close at Cockburn Street, you really get a feel for the claustrophobic nature of old Edinburgh. The close’s claim to fame is recorded on a bronze plaque and tells us that it was once home to the printing house of William Smellie and that work by Robert Burns and the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1st Edition were printed here.
Bakehouse Close
Despite its obvious historic beauty, few visitors to Edinburgh bothered to venture down Bakehouse Close, but all that’s changed now thanks to the close’s starring role in the TV series Outlander. Bakehouse Close was used as the filming location for Jamie Fraser’s printing shop.
Trunk’s Close
Flanked by two of the Royal Mile’s oldest buildings, Moubray House and John Knox House, Trunk’s Close has a suitably ancient feel. The close is also home to a beautiful public garden which has a bust of renowned town planner, Sir Patrick Geddes. Bear in mind, however, that the close and garden are only accessible during office hours, as Trunk’s Close is occupied by two businesses: the Scottish Book Trust and heritage watchdog The Cockburn Association.
Paisley Close
At first glance, it may appear to be unremarkable among Edinburgh’s closes, but Paisley Close has a more fascinating story than most. In 1861, the close was the site of a tragic tenement collapse which killed 35 people. During the attempts to rescue residents from the rubble, one young boy famously shouted, “heave awa’ chaps, I’m no’ dead yet”. The boy’s cry for help is recorded in a stone relief above the entrance to the close.
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