List of closes on the Royal Mile


The Old Town in Edinburgh consisted originally of the city's main street, now known as the Royal Mile, and the small alleyways and courtyards that led off it to the north and south. These were usually named after a memorable occupant of one of the apartments reached by the common entrance, or a trade plied by one or more residents. Generically such an alleyway is termed a close, a Scots term for alleyway, although it may be individually named close, entry, court, or wynd. A close is private property, hence gated and closed to the public, whereas a wynd is an open thoroughfare, usually wide enough for a horse and cart. Most slope steeply down from the Royal Mile creating the impression of a herring-bone pattern formed by the main street and side streets when viewed on a map. Many have steps and long flights of stairs.
As a result of Edinburgh coming under frequent attack during conflicts in Scotland, the city experienced a high level of urban density, with closes tending to be narrow and surrounded by tall buildings on both sides, giving them a canyon-like appearance and atmosphere. The Royal Mile comprises five linear, conjoined streets: Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Strand. Closes are listed below from west to east, divided between the south and north sides of the street. This list names closes currently in existence. Since the Council encourages recreation of closes in new developments the list is not static. New buildings traditionally incorporate the name of the close that historically existed on the same site.

Castlehill

Castlehill forms the western end of the Royal Mile, running from the Castle Esplanade to the junction of Johnston Terrace.
South
  • Castle Wynd. This connects Castlehill with the Grassmarket via Johnston Terrace. With buildings on only one side, it is not typical of most closes.
  • Old Distillery Close
  • Boswell's Court
North
  • Skinner's Close
  • Semple's Close
  • Jollie's Close

Lawnmarket

The Lawnmarket is the section between Johnstone Terrace and West Parliament Square/Bank Street.
South
  • Riddle's Court
  • Fisher's Close
  • Brodie's Close, named after the family home of Deacon Brodie
  • Buchanan's Close
North

High Street

The High Street runs from St Giles Street to St Mary's Street, the location of the Netherbow Port, and the limit of the pre-19th century burgh of Edinburgh.
South
North
The closes leading to or crossing Cockburn Street originally continued to Market Street. Cockburn Street was created in 1865 by demolition of parts of the closes.
  • Byer's Close
  • Advocates Close
  • Roxburgh Close
  • Writer's Close leading to Warriston Close
  • Mary King's Close
  • Craig's Close.
  • Anchor Close
  • Geddes Entry
  • North Foulis Close
  • Old Stamp Office Close
  • Lyon's Close
  • Jackson's Close
  • Fleshmarket Close
  • Carrubber's Close
  • Bishop's Close
  • North Gray's Close
  • Morrison's Close
  • Bailie Fyfe's Close
  • Paisley Close
  • Chalmers' Close
  • Monteith's Close
  • Trunk's Close
  • Baron Maule's Close

Canongate

The Canongate is the section from St Mary's Street to the foot of the Royal Mile, and connects to Abbey Strand at Holyrood, which ran through the former Burgh of Canongate.
South
  • Gullan's Close
  • Gibb's Close
  • Pirrie's Close
  • Old Playhouse Close
  • Sugarhouse Close
  • Bakehouse Close
  • Wilson's Court
  • Cooper's Close
  • Crichton's Close
  • Bull's Close
  • Reid's Close )
  • Vallence's Entry
North
  • Midcommon Close
  • Bowling Green Close
  • Old Tolbooth Wynd
  • Dunbar's Close
  • Panmure Close
  • Brown's Court
  • Lochend Close
  • Gladstone's Court
  • Reid's Court
  • Campbell's Close
  • Brown's Close
  • Forsyth's Close
  • Galloway's Entry
  • White Horse Close