Advocate's Close, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

2486

Title

Advocate's Close, Edinburgh

Description

Stairs lead up to the entrance of Advocates' Close. A lamp is near the passageway though the close. There are tenement buildings all around. Beside a wall is a metal railing fence.

Artist / maker

Chrystal, Francis M.

Date

1912

Size

20.7 x 15.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Advocate's Close runs steeply downhill from the High Street in Edinburgh, opposite St Giles Kirk, to Cockburn Street. It takes its name from Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees, Lord Advocate of Scotland between 1692-1709, and 1711-1713, who was resident here. It had also been home to his father Sir James Stewart of Coltness, Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Advocate's Close lost its lower section in the construction of Cockburn Street, and its west side was demolished in the 1880's. Despite this it remains one of the prettiest closes in Edinburgh's Old Town.

The 'closes' of Edinburgh's Old Town are narrow passages branching off at right angles from the main streets. They provide access to the tenement buildings, and often to small shared courtyards. Many closes also act as shortcuts between Old Town's main streets.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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