John Knox House, Edinburgh
If you鈥檝e ever wanted to nose around someone else鈥檚 house without feeling guilty, house museums are your perfect excuse. Not only do you get a peek at old furniture trends and fancy ceilings, but you also get a dose of juicy historical gossip. And when it comes to John Knox House on the Royal Mile, the stories are just as layered as the timber beams.
Dating back to around 1490, this charming survivor is the oldest house on the Royal Mile鈥攁nd it鈥檚 not shy about showing off. We鈥檙e talking hand-painted ceilings, oak beams that have seen things, and a wooden gallery or two that creak with character. Now owned by the Church of Scotland, it was once home to James Mossman, a royal goldsmith. Given that he fashioned not just one but two crowns鈥攐ne for Mary, Queen of Scots, and another for her son, King James VI鈥攊t鈥檚 safe to say that this house has seen some sparkle.
Now, here鈥檚 the twist: whether John Knox, the renowned 16th-century Protestant Reformer, himself actually lived here is contested鈥攁 kind of Medieval real estate marketing... In the 1700s, the place was severely dilapidated and was saved from demolition by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, who casually floated the rumour that this had been Knox鈥檚 humble abode. Voil脿鈥攊nstant historical landmark!
Inside, the museum is a magnet for anyone even mildly interested in religious history and the Reformation in particular. There are numerous manuscripts, relics, and even papers Knox himself tucked away in a time capsule. Plus, as part of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the place brings history alive with costumed guides and interactive exhibits. There鈥檚 even a special room for children where they can don a John Knox costume and solve puzzles鈥攂ecause, among many other things, family fun includes dressing up as a 16th-century firebrand...
So, go ahead, walk through the creaky floors, raise an eyebrow at the painted ceilings, and decide for yourself鈥攚as this Knox鈥檚 house, or just a really good story? Either way, it鈥檚 worth stepping inside.
Dating back to around 1490, this charming survivor is the oldest house on the Royal Mile鈥攁nd it鈥檚 not shy about showing off. We鈥檙e talking hand-painted ceilings, oak beams that have seen things, and a wooden gallery or two that creak with character. Now owned by the Church of Scotland, it was once home to James Mossman, a royal goldsmith. Given that he fashioned not just one but two crowns鈥攐ne for Mary, Queen of Scots, and another for her son, King James VI鈥攊t鈥檚 safe to say that this house has seen some sparkle.
Now, here鈥檚 the twist: whether John Knox, the renowned 16th-century Protestant Reformer, himself actually lived here is contested鈥攁 kind of Medieval real estate marketing... In the 1700s, the place was severely dilapidated and was saved from demolition by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, who casually floated the rumour that this had been Knox鈥檚 humble abode. Voil脿鈥攊nstant historical landmark!
Inside, the museum is a magnet for anyone even mildly interested in religious history and the Reformation in particular. There are numerous manuscripts, relics, and even papers Knox himself tucked away in a time capsule. Plus, as part of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the place brings history alive with costumed guides and interactive exhibits. There鈥檚 even a special room for children where they can don a John Knox costume and solve puzzles鈥攂ecause, among many other things, family fun includes dressing up as a 16th-century firebrand...
So, go ahead, walk through the creaky floors, raise an eyebrow at the painted ceilings, and decide for yourself鈥攚as this Knox鈥檚 house, or just a really good story? Either way, it鈥檚 worth stepping inside.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Edinburgh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
John Knox House on Map
Sight Name: John Knox House
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (See walking tours in Edinburgh)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Edinburgh, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Edinburgh
Creating your own self-guided walk in Edinburgh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harry Potter Trail
Years after the release of the last Harry Potter book and movie, the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter doesn't seem to fade away and the fandom continues strong as ever. Although by now Harry Potter has become a household name across the globe, the fact that J.K. Rowling penned some of the world's favorite wizarding stories in Scotland's capital, where she still lives now, makes... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Royal Mile Walking Tour
The Royal Mile, a steep thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, is one of the city's busiest tourist destinations. It runs down a slope, from the famed Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace and the ruined Holyrood Abbey, for almost exactly a mile and thus got its name, coined in 1920. The succession of streets forming the Royal Mile is lined with numerous shops, pubs,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Literary Landmarks Tour
For centuries, Edinburgh has been home to numerous writers. The likes of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and JK Rowling, just to name a few, have given pride to this city. Fortunately, the tradition doesn't seem to die out any time soon, as Edinburgh keeps producing more and more authors and literary heroes in whose footsteps people still wish to tread.
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Naturally, there is a wealth... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Edinburgh Pub Crawl
Edinburgh is rich in pubs, both old and new, spoiling their patrons with the best in town drinks and food. Although most traditional pubs in the city are laid back, with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, some have dance floors and double as nightclubs. This self-guided adventure takes you to several such spots, each with its own story to tell.
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Our journey begins at the World's End Pub, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
Rightly regarded as the historic masterpiece of city planning, the New Town of Edinburgh has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The area forms a significant part of the Scottish capital and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture, abundant shopping opportunities, and many other delights firmly associated with this city.
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in the New Town is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Edinburgh Introduction Walking Tour
If you like cities with a split personality, Edinburgh is definitely one such, featuring a striking mix of medieval and Georgian architecture. Indeed, here medieval grit meets Enlightenment wit, and every cobbled incline has a story to tell鈥攚hether your legs are ready for it or not. Perched (or more like wedged) across volcanic hills, the city has been Scotland鈥檚 capital since the 15th century... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 12 Pubs On and Around Royal Mile in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a vibrant city with abundant nightlife and no shortage of places to go after dusk. The Royal Mile alone, in the very heart of Edinburgh, is laden with character spots craving to be discovered by the first time visitors to the city. This is the highlight of some of the most notable bars...
19 Best Pubs in New Town, Edinburgh
A guide to the pubs that make up the area that is called Edinburgh's New Town. A description about what you can expect from each of the locations in the directory. A fantastic directory if you are a tourist or even a...
Scottish Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Scottish Things to Buy in Edinburgh
The popularity of Scotland stretches far beyond its geographical borders, fueled, in large part, by Hollywood's interest in the Scottish theme - Sean Connery (as James Bond), "Braveheart", etc. Indeed, the cultural spectrum of this part of Britain is enormous and comprises great...