Brodie's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

2498

Title

Brodie's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

Description

A long arched roof is part of the entrance to Brodie's Close. Stone steps at one side lead of into another area. A window has metal bars over it.

Artist / maker

Chrystal, Francis M.

Date

1912

Size

15.6 x 21 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Despite living in the New Town, Stevenson was well acquainted with the shabby charm of Edinburgh's Old Town. This image shows Brodie's Close - Deacon Brodie may have been the inspiration for Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: a respectable cabinet maker and highly regarded Edinburgh town-council member by day and burglar by night.

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.

Lawnmarket is the section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile running from its junction with Johnston Terrace to where it meets George IV Bridge. Regular markets were held in this area until the late 18th century.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.