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Colourful old houses on steep, cobbled Tanhouse Brae, Culross.
Culross

Tanhouse Brae

A steep cobbled street of colourful houses in Culross, once the burgh's shoemaking quarter.

Welcome

Tanhouse Brae is one of the prettiest streets in Culross, a steep, cobbled lane that climbs from the lower town towards the abbey, lined with small old houses painted in soft colours, with red pantiled roofs.

As its name suggests, it was the burgh's tanning and shoemaking quarter, and local tradition says that shoes made here were shipped across the Atlantic to the American revolutionaries.

Several of the houses are listed buildings. Snuff Cottage, painted blue with a round-headed door, carries the date 1763, and a stepping stone at its threshold still crosses the open street drain. The street has also played its part on screen: Culross is a favourite with film crews, and Tanhouse Brae appeared in Outlander. Walk up it slowly, since the cobbles are steep and uneven, and remember that these are people's homes, then carry on to the abbey at the top of the hill.

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The Daily for 30 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a teal-coloured lochan cupped in a forested hollow, a scree slope rising on one side and autumn-tinged pines ringing the shore.
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Before you go

An open street of private homes; any time, free.

Open
Any time; free.
Going
Steep cobbles.

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Where it is

Tanhouse Brae, Culross.

Close byIn Culross.
  1. The Lockit Well set into a stone wall in Culross.The Lockit WellThe old well of Culross in the wall of Erskine Brae, whose lever could be locked, marked by a blue plaque.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Mercat Cross and its unicorn finial among white houses.Culross Mercat CrossThe market cross of Culross, crowned with a unicorn, in the little square where the cobbled streets meet.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The Mercat, CulrossA café, provisions and homeware shop in an old butcher’s opposite the Mercat Cross in Culross.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Cat's Close street sign on an old stone wall.Cats CloseA narrow walled lane climbing between high stone walls in Culross, once the way up to the abbey.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. The Red Lion's whitewashed front and door on the cobbles of Culross.The Red Lion, CulrossA community-owned inn on Low Causeway in Culross, serving food every day from noon until nine.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Ruined stone walls and arches beside a church tower with a Saltire flagCulross AbbeyThe ruins of a Cistercian monastery of the 1200s on the hill above Culross, open all year, with its abbey church still used as the parish kirk.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Ochre gabled houses overlook a walled garden with clipped topiary and gravel pathsAttractionsThe Hanging Gardens CulrossA step away
The Gallery at Culross on its street in the old burgh.ShoppingThe Gallery at CulrossA step away
The Culross Town House, a grey stone tolbooth with a tower, facing the Forth.AttractionsCulross TolboothA step away
Ochre crow-stepped gabled houses line a cobbled street beside a stone wallAttractionsCulross PalaceA step away
Haggs Wynd climbing past the palace wall.AttractionsHaggs Wynd Culross0.2 miles
Parleyhill House's curved gable with its two oval attic windows, Culross.AttractionsThe House with the Evil Eyes0.2 miles
The alabaster monument to Sir George Bruce with his children kneeling before it, Culross Abbey.AttractionsThe Bruce Vault, Culross Abbey0.2 miles
Cochrane's bust with the Scottish and Chilean flags behind.AttractionsAdmiral Thomas Cochrane Statue Culross0.2 miles
The grave of Lilias Adie, a flat sandstone slab on the sands of Torryburn Bay at low tide.AttractionsGrave of Lilias Adie2.3 miles

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Stay nearby

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

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Culross
  • 18 miles from Tanhouse Brae
Check datesA grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
  • To stay
  • In Kinbuck
  • 18 miles from Tanhouse Brae
Check datesA 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
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 18 miles from Tanhouse Brae
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
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 18 miles from Tanhouse Brae
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in CulrossAll 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 Culross.

ArticleA Slow Travel Guide to CulrossCollectionOutlander Filming Locations You Can Visit
More in Culross
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .