White Horse Close, Historic courtyard in Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
White Horse Close is a courtyard with traditional Scottish stone buildings arranged around a central cobbled space at the eastern end of the Royal Mile. The structures date from different periods and show how Edinburgh's architecture gradually changed over time.
The courtyard grew from an older complex called Ord's Close, which once served as a royal stable for Mary Queen of Scots. By the 17th century it became the White Horse Inn, later known as the departure point for stagecoaches heading to London.
The buildings show how people in Edinburgh lived and worked together in close quarters across centuries. Visitors today can see the structure of this old neighborhood where craft, commerce, and home life were tightly woven together.
The courtyard is freely accessible and can be viewed and photographed during daylight hours without admission fees. Its location near Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament makes it easy to visit as part of a walking tour.
The northern section housed the White Horse Inn, from which stagecoaches departed for London in the 1700s. This location was notable as one of the main departure points for long-distance coach travel in Britain at the time.
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