Fleshmarket Close

Fleshmarket Close discover

A steep stairway alley with a history rooted in the meat market, towering Old Town tenements, and literary ties to Ian Rankin's Rebus.

The name Fleshmarket Close refers to a meat market, not to an invented ghost story. The national monuments record lists the close on Edgar's 1742 plan and explains that the market had already been moved to the northern slope before 1691. This explains the naming through commercial history and historical cartography.

The adjacent tall residential tenements highlight the close connection between supply, living, and access. A heritage listing describes a house dating to around 1700 with six stories and an attic. The close also has a literary legacy: Ian Rankin used its name for an Inspector Rebus novel. The historical setting and fictional crime plot remain distinct.

What to Expect

• Market history
• Tall residential buildings
• Historical cartographic traces
• Rebus connection

Plan Your Visit

Last name

Named after the meat market.

Cartography

Recorded on Edgar’s map of 1742.

Market history

Relocation to the northern slope before 1691.

Literature

Namesake of a novel by Ian Rankin.

Access

Stepped close; check current on-site access notices

Tips for Your Visit

• Expect a steep climb and lots of steps.
• Wear shoes with good grip when it rains.
• Keep residential doorways clear and keep noise down at night.

Here You’ll Find Fleshmarket Close

Fleshmarket Close, at 199 and 205–207 High Street, Edinburgh