Bailie Fyfe's Close, High Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

6955

Title

Bailie Fyfe's Close, High Street, Edinburgh looking north

Description

A sketch depicting the corner of a stone building. Two doors lead into the building, with stone stairs leading to it and a decorative lintel above one of them. A stone-carved coat of arms can be seen on the building, while bars also cover the windows. A street lamps can be seen attached to the wall of a neighbouring property, further down the street.

Artist / maker

Home, Bruce James

Date

1905

Size

30.5 x 23 cm

Type

Reproduction

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Reproduction of a drawing by Bruce J Home. First Series, date on drawing, 1902.
In existence since 1572, Bailie Fyfes close is located just off the Royal Mile, and has also been known as both Trotters Close and Barries Close. Its current name refers to Gilbert Fyfe, a bailie who lived there between 1677 and 1686. Above the modern entrance lies a heraldic panel from the 17th century. Judge Francis Jeffrey, who founded the Edinburgh Review, studied at this location in 1781. The shield bears the arms of Hay of Murnsyde. A lintel reportedly taken from the east side of the close was placed above a doorway in the modern building reads ENEMEIS OF GOD AND THE KING TO THE EARTH DID ME DOVN DING.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Lintels

Architecture > Architectural features > Railings

Homes > Residential buildings > Flats

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Places > United Kingdom > Scotland

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