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Lady Stair's Close

A close off the Lawnmarket leading to Lady Stair's House, a merchant's townhouse of 1622 that is now the Writers' Museum.

Welcome

Off the Lawnmarket, a worn sign on a rubble wall marks the way in: a dark, narrow passage that opens without warning into a little paved courtyard.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

At the far side stands a turreted stone townhouse with a round stair tower, and the crowds on the Royal Mile seem a long way off.

Look down as you cross. Stones set into the paving carry lines by Scottish writers, some in old Scots, some in modern verse, and one reads that freedom is a noble thing. On the wall of the house a weathered plaque shows three carved heads above the words ex libris. It is one of the most atmospheric corners of the Old Town at dusk, when the lamps come on, and the house itself holds the Writers' Museum, free to wander round on the way down the Mile.

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Before you go

The close is open to walk through at any time.

The Writers' Museum in Lady Stair's House is free.

The museum
Open seven days a week, 10am to 5pm; last entry 4.30pm.
Where
Off the Lawnmarket, the top stretch of the Royal Mile.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–5pm
Tuesday
10am–5pm
Wednesday
10am–5pm
Thursday
10am–5pm
Friday
10am–5pm
Saturday
10am–5pm
Sunday
10am–5pm

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Did you know

A weathered stone wall carries a street sign reading 'LADY STAIR'S CLOSE'.
Did you know

A merchant's house of 1622.

The house at the foot of the close was built in 1622 by Sir William Gray of Pittendrum, a successful Edinburgh merchant.

A weathered plaque reading 'ex libris' with three carved portrait medallions is mounted on a stone wall.
Did you know

Lady Gray, then Lady Stair.

It was first known as Lady Gray's House, after his widow. Their granddaughter Elizabeth, first Countess of Stair, bought it in 1719, and it has carried her name ever since.

A carved stone slab quoting John Barbour, 'Fredome is a noble thing', lies in a paved courtyard beside a stone stairway.
Did you know

Rescued by Geddes and Rosebery.

By 1890 the house had fallen into ruin. Patrick Geddes talked Lord Rosebery into paying for it; he bought it in 1895, restored it, and gave it to the city in 1907 as a museum.

A paving stone at Makars' Court is inscribed with a verse by Robert Henryson.
Did you know

A wardrobe by Deacon Brodie.

Inside is Robert Louis Stevenson's wardrobe, made by Deacon Brodie, the cabinetmaker whose double life may have given Stevenson the idea for Jekyll and Hyde.

A paving stone at Makars' Court is inscribed with a Scots verse by Robert Garioch.
Did you know

One of three casts.

The museum also keeps a plaster cast of Robert Burns's skull, one of only three ever made.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Edinburgh

There are more than 80 closes off the Royal Mile, but few are as picturesque – or as well known – as this moody little courtyard, reached by a dark passageway and dominated by a 17th-century townhouse, once the home of the first Countess of Stair.

Read more
A weathered stone wall carries a street sign reading 'LADY STAIR'S CLOSE'.
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Where it is

Off the north side of the Lawnmarket, near the top of the Royal Mile.

Close byThe places nearest the close, on the Lawnmarket.
  1. Writers' MuseumWriters' MuseumA museum of Burns, Scott and Stevenson in Lady Stair's House.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Makars’ CourtMakars’ CourtThe words of Scottish writers set into the flagstones.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Jolly JudgeJolly JudgeA pub with a low painted ceiling and an open fire.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Gladstone’s LandGladstone’s LandA merchant's tenement of 1617, its rooms furnished for three centuries of households.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Riddle’s CourtRiddle’s CourtA grand merchant's tenement, refurbished and open to see.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Deacon Brodie's TavernDeacon Brodie's TavernA Royal Mile pub named after Deacon Brodie.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Turreted stone building with a Makars' Court sign in Edinburgh's Old TownAttractionsWriters’ Museum in Lady Stair’s CloseA step away
Set table beside a brick fireplace with clock and mirror aboveRestaurantsWhiski RoomsA step away
Bronze sculpture of a basket with a carved oar motif on its stone plinthAttractionsSusannah Alice Stephen MemorialA step away
A lamb shank in gravy on mash beside a haggis stack topped with neeps, on a wooden table at Makars Mash Bar.RestaurantsMakars Mash BarA step away
The blue front of The Bow Bar at 80 West Bow, its name in gold script between Spirit and Merchant, with the lit bar inside.BarsThe Bow BarA step away
Golden bird sculpture above a hanging sign for Gladstone's Land, offering tours, ice creams, coffees and cakesAttractionsGolden Hawk Sculpture at Gladstone's LandA step away
Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveCafeDeacon's House CafeA step away
Heart of Midlothian mosaic set into cobblestones, with pedestrian shadows falling across itAttractionsThe Heart of MidlothianA step away
Stone-walled bar with wine racks, hanging lights and tartan cushioned seatingCafeMaxiesA step away

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the close, and when each is next free.

A hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
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Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
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Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
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Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Edinburgh.

From the magazineExploring the smaller museums and galleries of EdinburghArticleEdinburgh’s Lesser-Known MuseumsCollectionUnusual and Interesting things to do in EdinburghCollectionThings to Do in Edinburgh on a Shoestring
More in Edinburgh
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .