Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Scotland's most famous writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Steven-
son.
(
www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk
; Lady Stair's Close, Lawnmarket; admission free;
10am-5pm Mon-Sat year-round, 2-5pm Sun Aug;
23, 27, 41, 42)
Local Life
Edinburgh's Mysterious Book Sculptures
In 2011-12 an unknown artist left a series of paper sculptures in various Edinburgh libraries, mu-
seums and bookshops. Each was fashioned from an old book and alluded to literary themes; an
anonymous message from the artist revealed they had been inspired by the poem 'Gifts', by Ed-
inburgh poet Norman McCaig. Two are on display at the
Scottish Poetry Library
(H2;
www.spl.org.uk
;
5 Crichton's Close, Canongate; admission free;
10am-5pm Tue, Wed & Fri, to 7pm Thu, to
35, 36)
where you can pick up a self-guided walking-tour leaflet (also available on its
4pm Sat;
website).
6
John Knox House
HISTORIC BUILDING
GOOGLE MAP
This is the oldest surviving tenement in Edinburgh, dating from around 1490. John Knox,
an influential church reformer and leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, is
thought to have lived here from 1561 to 1572. The labyrinthine interior has some beautiful
painted-timber ceilings and an interesting exhibition on Knox's life and work.
(
www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
; 43-45 High St; adult/child £5/1;
10am-6pm Mon-Sat year-
round, noon-6pm Sun Jul & Aug;
35)
7
Greyfriars Kirk
CHURCH
One of Edinburgh's most famous churches, Greyfriars Kirk was built on the site of a Fran-
ciscan friary and opened for worship on Christmas Day 1620. In 1638 the National
Covenant was signed here, rejecting Charles I's attempts to impose episcopacy and a new
