Lady Stair's Close

History

Located in Edinburgh's Lawnmarket, Lady Stair's Close is the location of a 17th-century townhouse called Lady Stair's House built in 1622 for Sir William Gray of Pittendrum, an Edinburgh Baronet. It was originally called Lady Gray's House after the widow of the first proprietor. She was the mother of the Scots Worthy Andrew Gray whose books became well-known despite dying at an early age. It was then bought in 1719 by Elizabeth Dundas, Lady Stair, the widow of John Dalrymple (1648 - 1707) the 1st Earl of Stair, hence its present name.

The close contains the Makars' Court - inscribed stones to the great names of Scottish literature.

Writers' Museum

The Writers' Museum, belonging to the city of Edinburgh, contains memorabilia which celebrate the lives of three writers who all at one time lived in Edinburgh: Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Robert Burns. Burns stayed in a house in Baxter's Close (since demolished) to the east of Lady Stair's Close during his first trip to Edinburgh in 1786.

Gallery

Scottish Writers' Museum.jpg|Scottish Writers' Museum at the Lady Stair's Close Makars' Court, Sir Walter Scott.jpg|Sir Walter Scott's stone slab at the Lady Stair's Close Makars' Court, Nan Shepherd.jpg|Nan Shepherd's stone slab at the Lady Stair's Close

References

References

1. [http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/52529/details/edinburgh+lawnmarket+lady+stair+s+close+lady+stair+s+house/ Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland]
2. Elizabeth., Berry. (1990). "The writing on the walls". Published by the Cockburn Association in collaboration with the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Saltire Society.
3. ""Lady Stair's Close", Royal-Mile Edinburgh".
4. "Makars' Court".
5. Canmore, RCAHMS. "Edinburgh, 475 and 479 Lawnmarket, Baxter's Close".