Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A Saltire flag flies above a colonnaded stone building.
Edinburgh

Signet Library

A law library of 1822 on Parliament Square with one of the finest Neo-Classical interiors in Scotland, where afternoon tea is served in the Lower Library.

Visit websiteCall
Welcome

On the west side of Parliament Square, behind St Giles', a long sandstone front runs the length of the square, with round-arched windows on the ground floor, Ionic columns above and a Saltire flying from the roof.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Potted topiary and iron railings flank the arched doorway, where the lamps stand in cast-iron holders.

Inside, the Lower Library is a nave and aisles of fluted Corinthian columns, the bays between them lined with books under balconies of ornamental ironwork, and lamps hanging down the length of the room. This is where afternoon tea is laid, on tables among the shelves of a library still in use by the lawyers who own it. Book well ahead, and ask whether the Upper Library can be seen.

Before you go

Afternoon tea in the Lower Library, booked ahead, up to three months in advance.

The tearoom sometimes closes on Saturdays for weddings. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free teas need 24 hours' notice.

Where
Parliament Square, off the Royal Mile, beside St Giles'.

Opening hours

Book
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11am–4.30pm
Thursday
11am–4.30pm
Friday
11am–4.30pm
Saturday
11am–4.30pm
Sunday
11am–4.30pm

Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your tip

Did you know

A stone colonnade stretches beneath an arched ceiling in a grand building.
Did you know

Two libraries, two owners.

The lower library was built for the Writers to the Signet and the upper for the Faculty of Advocates. When the advocates built a library of their own, the upper floor was sold to the Writers for £12,000.

A stone colonnade lit by hanging lamps stretches beneath an arched ceiling in a grand building.
Did you know

A stair to join them.

Once both floors had one owner, William Burn built a grand imperial staircase to link the two libraries.

A Saltire flag flies above a colonnaded stone building.
Did you know

The better designs won.

Robert Reid designed the outside, but both societies preferred William Stark's designs for the inside, so the interior was given to him.

A man walks through a grand stone doorway flanked by potted trees and wrought-iron railings.
Did you know

Apollo in the dome.

The saucer dome over the Upper Library is painted with Apollo and the Muses among historians, philosophers and poets, by Thomas Stothard in 1821.

A stone colonnade stretches beneath an arched ceiling in a grand building.
Did you know

A king's verdict.

George IV, who saw the Upper Library in the year it was finished, is said to have called it the most beautiful room he had ever seen.

A Saltire flag flies above a colonnaded stone building.
What is on

What is new across Edinburgh, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on in Edinburgh
01 / 06
Where it is

On Parliament Square, off the Royal Mile.

Close byThe places nearest the Signet Library, round Parliament Square.
  1. The Real Mary King's CloseThe Real Mary King's Close17th-century streets sealed beneath the City Chambers.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. St Giles’ CathedralSt Giles’ CathedralThe High Kirk of Edinburgh, founded in 1124 under its crown spire.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Riddle’s CourtRiddle’s CourtA merchant's mansion of 1590 round a hidden courtyard.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Deacon Brodie's TavernDeacon Brodie's TavernA Royal Mile pub named after the councillor who was a burglar by night.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. 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
  6. Writers' MuseumWriters' MuseumA free museum of Burns, Scott and Stevenson.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Guide in a black hooded cloak holds a candle in a stone vaultAttractionsHaunted UndergroundA step away
Tiered galleries and glass roof inside the National Museum of ScotlandAttractionsMile to the Museum & National Museum of Scotland TourA step away
Heart of Midlothian mosaic set into cobblestones, with pedestrian shadows falling across itAttractionsThe Heart of MidlothianA step away
A plate of crispbreads and pâté at Angels with Bagpipes.RestaurantsAngels with BagpipesA step away
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.EdinburghOld Town ChambersPlace to stay · A step away
The dining room at Luckenbooths, leather banquettes and framed pictures under warm light.AttractionsLuckenboothsA step away
Stone steps through a narrow close frame the Scott Monument, EdinburghAttractionsAdvocate's CloseA step away
Gold handprints set in pavement, engraved "J K Rowling 2008AttractionsJ. K. Rowling’s HandprintsA step away
Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveCafeDeacon's House CafeA step away

Recommend to a friend

The Daily for 24 October, from Scotland with love. a stone arch bridge crossing a rushing gorge below a moss-covered cliffside building, autumn trees on both banks

The Daily

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.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Signet Library, 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
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Signet Library
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
  • Under a mile from the Signet Library
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from the Signet Library
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
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from the Signet Library
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Read on

The collections it is in and more in Edinburgh.

CollectionRestaurants and Bars in Edinburgh's Old Town
More in Edinburgh
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .