Advocate's Close

Advocate's Close is a steep medieval close, or narrow passage, running between the High Street on the Royal Mile and Market Street in Edinburgh's Old Town. Entered from 357 High Street, it descends a long flight of stone steps between tall tenement walls, a reminder of the way the medieval city grew upward in cramped, vertical lanes. The close takes its name from a lawyer who once lived here, and the nearby area has long had associations with the legal profession. Its best-known feature is the view looking down the steps, where the passage frames the Scott Monument and the New Town beyond, a composition that photographers seek out. Because the close is a public right of way and lies a short walk from St Giles' Cathedral and the Scottish courts, it is easy to include on a Royal Mile walk. A visit takes only 10 to 15 minutes, though the climb back up is steep. The stone steps can be wet and slippery, so care is needed, especially in rain or frost, and there is limited lighting after dark. The close is busiest in the middle of the day and during the August festivals, when the Royal Mile is crowded, and it is calmer in the early morning. There is no entry fee, ticketing or opening hours. Some residents and businesses use the close, so visitors should keep noise low and avoid blocking the route. The view is clearest on a bright day, when the monument stands out against the sky.