A free library of poetry in a modern timber-and-glass building off the Canongate, home of the first of Edinburgh's mysterious book sculptures.
Tucked down Crichton's Close, a few steps off the Canongate, the Poetry Library is a light, modern building of glass and timber, its balconies looking down on the lane and a sign for its book shop at the door.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
Most people walking the Royal Mile never know it is there.
Inside it is bright and calm. Skylights fall on tiered wooden shelves, there are quiet corners for reading and a children's library with its own nooks and a chalkboard, and a stair climbs to the upper floor. Anyone can walk in and browse, or sit and read for as long as they like. Before you leave, look in the glass cases, which hold the library's book sculptures.
The lending and reference collections are free to use, and the library runs readings and events through the year.
Opening hours
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The library was the idea of the poet Tessa Ransford, who saw that few public libraries could afford more than the best-known poets, and that publishers had little reason to promote poetry. It began in rooms in Tweeddale Court.
The building was paid for chiefly by the very first capital arts grant from the National Lottery, Grant 001. Designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, it opened in June 1999.
The building once had a garage for a travelling library. When the van was no longer needed, the garage became a space for readings and events in 2015.
In March 2011 a gift arrived unannounced: a tiny paper tree with nesting birds, growing out of a book, beside a gilded eggshell and bunting cut from the words of an Edwin Morgan poem. Nobody knew who had made it.
It was the first of ten book sculptures left secretly at libraries, galleries and museums round the city that year, each with a tag in support of libraries, books, words and ideas. The library received the last one too.
A note with the last sculpture revealed only that the maker was a woman. She has never been named.
Just off the Canongate you’ll spy the bookish confines of the Scottish Poetry Library, which holds fairly regular afternoon and evening events. The library itself is free to use, but you’ll need to register online first at scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk – tours can also be arranged.
Read moreNew places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in EdinburghIn Crichton's Close, between the Canongate and Holyrood Road.
Bakehouse CloseA cobbled close off the Canongate, into one of the few corners of 17th-century Canongate to survive.Under a mile 1 min by road
Dynamic EarthEdinburgh's science centre and planetarium, under a white tented roof.Under a mile 1 min by road
Palace of HolyroodhouseThe monarch's official residence in Scotland, home of Mary Queen of Scots.Under a mile 3 min by road
Scottish Parliament BuildingThe home of the Scottish Parliament, a campus of boat-shaped roofs by Enric Miralles.Under a mile 3 min by road
Clarinda's TearoomA tearoom of scones and china cups on the Canongate, open since 1976.Under a mile 3 min by road
Dunbar's Close GardenA small walled garden off the Canongate, laid out like a 17th-century town garden.Under a mile 3 min by road
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Places to stay near the library, and when each is next free.
Old Town Chambers
Moment George IV Bridge(1)-large-1778448485.jpg)
The Scott Hotel
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What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Edinburgh.
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
