Lady Stair’s Close

Lady Stair’s Close discover

Literary courtyard on the Lawnmarket with Lady Stair’s House, the Writers’ Museum, and the inscribed stones of Makars’ Court.

At its heart stands Lady Stair’s House, which Historic Environment Scotland dates to 1622. Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Stair, acquired the house in 1719 and gave the location its familiar name. However, the building you see today has not survived unchanged from the 17th century: George Shaw Aitken restored and remodelled it in 1896–97. Today, the Writers’ Museum brings together early modern domestic history, later heritage conservation, and Scottish literature.

The courtyard invites you to admire first the house with its striking octagonal stair tower and then the inscribed paving flagstones of Makars’ Court. Inside, the Writers’ Museum is dedicated to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson; outside, the literary theme extends into the public realm. The courtyard and museum are distinct experiences; interior access and current conditions should be checked separately.

What to Expect

• Octagonal stair tower
• Writers’ Museum
• Literary stone inscriptions in Makars’ Court
• Historic courtyard

Plan Your Visit

Origin

Lady Stair’s House from 1622.

Namesake

Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Stair, acquired the house in 1719.

Restoration

1896–97 by George Shaw Aitken.

Museum

Writers’ Museum: Burns, Scott, and Stevenson.

Access

Check courtyard access and museum visit separately; keep private entrances clear

Tips for Your Visit

• Look for access from the Lawnmarket.
• Check museum opening days and access options with the operator.
• Contact the museum in advance regarding historic stairs if you have limited mobility.

Here You’ll Find Lady Stair’s Close

Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket; Writers’ Museum: Lady Stair’s House, Edinburgh EH1 2PA