Lady Stair's House

Category

Library Item

Item no

2951

Title

Lady Stair's House

Description

The entrance to Lady Stair's House is through a door at the corner of the building built to resemble a tower. There is a small balcony below a window towards the top of the tower and a carved stone relief on the side of the structure. A street lamp is in the courtyard next to the building.

Artist / maker

Hill, Robin A.

Date

1964

Size

21.8 x 17.8 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Lady Stair's Close is situated on the north side of the Lawnmarket in Edinburgh. It derives its name from Elizabeth, Countess Dowager of Stair, widow of John, 1st Earl of Stair, who lived in the close between 1719-31. The earlier name of Gray's Close comes from her grandparents, Sir William Gray and Lady Geida or Egidia Gray, who also lived in the close. Lady Stair's House was built as a home for Sir William Gray and his wife in 1622 and was also the residence of his granddaughter Elizabeth. The building is now home to the Writer's Museum.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Street lights

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