Advocate's Close
Advocate's Close
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The area
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Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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498 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
20
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0
craigluscar
Dunfermline, UK13,605 contributions
Nov 2021
I do not think there is one close in Edinburgh that does not have a rich history. Sir James Stewart lived here in 1692 also Sir John Scougal a well known Painter in the late 17th Century . You get a real feel for the area walking down closes like this it is always better to walk down ,walking up is a real struggle with the incline
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,433 contributions
May 2022
Named after Sir James Stewart who was Lord Advocate of Scotland, stepping into the alley is like stepping back in time. You can imagine the clatter of shoes on the stone steps... as you exit the alley just in your imagination don't look up - as in its day you would probably have got covered with the contents of a chamber pot!
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🙋🏽♂️🤹🏽♂️✔️Keep Life Simple ✈️🧳✅
Pittsburgh, PA88,366 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
The closes were Medevil shortcuts across the larger streets, They are very narrow and not much passing room
Written October 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibcay
Gateshead, UK4,393 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
This views are good. It has a restaurant here. It's very steep. It's full of history and it's a good photo point.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnhouston2
Knaresborough, UK5,119 contributions
Oct 2020
Advocate's Close dates from at least the 15th century and the name derives from the house of Sir James Stewart who was Lord Advocate of Scotland. At this time the street was a fashionable address where the Scottish gentry and the professional classes would live with their family and servants By the 19th century however, the Edinburgh upper classes had abandoned the Old Town and moved to the New Town or suburbs.
Consequently, streets such as Advocates Close passed to the lower classes and were split into tenements. Due to lack of sewerage at this time, and the Edinburgh citizens' habit of simply chucking their "waste" out of the windows with the cry "Gardez loo!" the area developed into a bit of a slum.
Nowadays this and other closes provide a fascinating reminder of times gone past, as well as convenient (though often steep) shortcuts between main streets.
Consequently, streets such as Advocates Close passed to the lower classes and were split into tenements. Due to lack of sewerage at this time, and the Edinburgh citizens' habit of simply chucking their "waste" out of the windows with the cry "Gardez loo!" the area developed into a bit of a slum.
Nowadays this and other closes provide a fascinating reminder of times gone past, as well as convenient (though often steep) shortcuts between main streets.
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK19,555 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This is one of many closes that line the Royal Mile. They seem very quirky now but must have been very scary in days gone by.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate
London, UK248 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Believed to date back as far as 1544, this is one of the hundreds of closes and courts you'll find along the Royal Mile. Each close including advocates close lead from the Royal Mile Street to another, many leading to hidden gems of tge city. If you're looking to throw yourself into adventure and mystery while in Edinburgh, I recommend you explore the closes and wynds of the Royal Mile such as Advocates Close!
Written December 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave-in-Bournemouth
Poole, UK84 contributions
Sep 2019
Advocates Close is just one of many ancient alleyways and underground passages to explore in Edinburgh,branching out either side of the High street in the Old Town, history around every corner,you will get lost,some Closes difficult to find,but that the fun of it.
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg
Cambridge, UK5,209 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Not a must-see attraction but is part of a number of narrow pathways which peel of Royal Mile. Some steps are steep and somewhere you can get to Cockburn Street to from the Mile.
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK179,496 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
Advocate’s Close is one of Edinburgh’s oldest streets. It's a steep and narrow lane that connects the Royal Mile at the top of the hill with Cockburn Street underneath North Bridge. It's a fun little lane connecting lots of side streets and alleyways in the old town of Edinburgh. Don't go out of the way to see it though.
Written March 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingAdvocate's Close - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Advocate's Close
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Advocate's Close:
- Curious Tales of the Royal Mile - Private Walking Tour (From $121.06)
- Edinburgh Private Walking Tour (From $63.72)
- Edinburgh Self-Guided Audio Tour - Its History and Secrets (From $12.73)
- Private Walking Tour of The Royal Mile, Edinburgh With a Local (From $172.03)
- Castles & Cobblestones: Personal Full Day Guided Walking Tour (From $299.47)
- Hotels near Advocate's Close:
- (0.00 mi) Cheval Old Town Chambers
- (0.01 mi) Royal Mile, 357 High Street, Old Town. City Centre. Parking.
- (0.02 mi) Advocates Close
- (0.02 mi) Advocates Close
- (0.02 mi) Majestic flat on the Royal Mile
- Restaurants near Advocate's Close:
- (0.01 mi) Angels With Bagpipes
- (0.02 mi) The Royal Exchange Coffee House
- (0.03 mi) St Giles Cafe & Bar
- (0.04 mi) THE GLASS HOUSE
- (0.04 mi) Colonnades At The Signet Library
Advocate's Close Information
Excellent Reviews | 21 |
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Very Good Reviews | 20 |
Advocate's Close Photos | 52 |