Anchor Close, Kinross Shire Travel Guide

A 16th-century close where Robert Burns and Edinburgh's literary elite once gathered.

Anchor Close is a historic passageway in Edinburgh's Old Town, dating back to approximately 1521. This atmospheric close once served as a gathering place for distinguished figures including Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott's parents. Today, it remains a charming slice of Edinburgh's medieval heritage, connecting the Royal Mile to Market Street and intersecting with Cockburn Street. The close features well-preserved 17th-century buildings and carries centuries of literary and cultural significance.

A brief summary to Anchor Close

Cockburn St, Edinburgh, EH1 1BS, GB
Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Anchor Close.

Look for the 17th-century inscription 'LORD BE MERCIFUL TO ME' on the western side of the close—it marks the entrance to the historic Dawney Douglas's Tavern where the Crochallan Fencibles met.
Visit during daylight hours to appreciate the carved details and stonework on the 17th-century buildings, particularly the ornate decorations typical of Edinburgh's Scots Baronial style.
Explore both sections of the close—it was bisected by Cockburn Street in 1856, creating two distinct passages that together tell the story of Edinburgh's urban development.
Combine your visit with nearby attractions including Cockburn Street's independent shops and cafes, and the Royal Mile's museums and historic sites just moments away.

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Getting There

On Foot from Royal Mile

From the Royal Mile near the Tron Kirk, Anchor Close is accessible via a short walk of approximately 2-3 minutes. The close entrance is clearly marked and connects directly from the Royal Mile, descending through the historic passageway. No fees apply; the close is freely accessible to pedestrians at all times.
From Cockburn Street

Anchor Close intersects Cockburn Street at its midpoint. If approaching from Waverley Station via Cockburn Street, the journey takes approximately 5-7 minutes uphill. The close entrance from Cockburn Street is well-signposted. This route is free and accessible year-round.
From Market Street

The lower section of Anchor Close connects to Market Street. From Waverley Station, walk to Market Street (approximately 3-4 minutes), then locate the close entrance. This approach offers a gentler gradient than ascending from the station via Cockburn Street. No admission fee required.
Public Transport to Nearby Hub

Waverley Station is the nearest major transport hub, located approximately 200-300 metres downhill from Anchor Close. From the station, local buses serve the Old Town area, though walking is the most practical option for accessing the close itself. A single bus journey costs approximately £1.75-£2.00 GBP, though the walk is quicker and more direct.

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Discover more about Anchor Close

A Close Rooted in Edinburgh's Literary Heritage

Anchor Close dates back to approximately 1521, making it one of Edinburgh's oldest surviving passageways. The close takes its name from the Anchor Tavern, which operated at the top of the close from 1714 onwards. This historic establishment became the meeting place of the Crochallan Fencibles, a convivial club for gentlemen founded by William Smellie, the printer who created the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The tavern served excellent food at affordable prices and attracted some of Edinburgh's most distinguished men, including the poet Robert Burns, whose first Edinburgh edition was printed by Smellie in 1787. Allan Masterton, who composed music for Burns's songs, was also a member of this celebrated club.

Architectural Character and Physical Layout

The close features two prominent 17th-century buildings on its eastern side, originally constructed as four-storey structures that exemplify the dense urban development of Edinburgh's medieval Old Town. A doorway on the western side bears a 17th-century inscription reading "LORD BE MERCIFUL TO ME," which marked the entrance to Dawney Douglas's Tavern, where the Crochallan Fencibles held their meetings. The sandstone construction typical of Edinburgh's Old Town allows for intricate carved details and decorative stonework that characterise the area's architectural identity. Before Cockburn Street was constructed in 1856, Anchor Close ran as a continuous passageway from the High Street all the way to Market Street, serving as one of the original lanes that connected Edinburgh's upper and lower levels.

Transformation and Modern Context

The construction of Cockburn Street in 1856 fundamentally altered Anchor Close's geography, dissecting it into two separate sections. Despite this division, the close remains accessible from both the Royal Mile and Cockburn Street, preserving its role as a pedestrian thoroughfare through the Old Town. The close continues to attract visitors interested in Edinburgh's medieval history and literary connections. Its narrow confines, historic stonework, and atmospheric character make it a quintessential example of the closes that define Edinburgh's Old Town experience. The preservation of its original buildings and historical plaques ensures that visitors can still sense the presence of the figures who once gathered here, from Burns to Scott's family, making it a tangible link to Edinburgh's cultural past.