Beautiful White Horse Close on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
David explores beautiful White Horse Close at the bottom of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Edinburgh has many beautiful closes & courtyards, but perhaps none more picturesque than White Horse Close in the Canongate, near the bottom of the Royal Mile, just a few minutes walk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
In the 1500's it was the location of the Royal Mews and it's thought that Mary, Queen of Scots stabled her white palfrey here.
The close was at one time known as 'Laurence Ord's Close'. He was a wealthy local merchant who built an inn and coaching stables here, naming it the White Horse Inn after Queen Mary's favourite horse.
The close was extensively restored in 1889 & 1964 and would have looked quite different to what you see today. A coach service from Edinburgh to London used to run from the inn from the mid 1700's which took a whopping 8 days! The same journey nowadays by train takes just over 4 hours.
In 1745, Jacobite officers used the inn as their headquarters to plan their campaign.
The close was also home to William Dick who founded the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in 1823.
People still live here, so please be quiet and respectful of their privacy when you visit.
After visiting, don’t forget to visit New Calton Burial Ground, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and gardens, Queen Mary’s Bathhouse, Holyrood Physic Garden, The Queen’s Gallery, The Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth, which are all close by and not to be missed.
If you fancy a coffee or something to eat I can recommend Clarinda’s Tearoom (named after Rabbie Burn’s greatest love), The Cafe at The Palace (sit outside if it’s nice), The Scottish Parliament Cafe and Dynamic Earth.
If you’d like a personal, private tour of Edinburgh please get in touch.
