Writers' Museum, Local authority museum in Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland.
The Writers' Museum is housed in Lady Stair's House, a historic building on the Royal Mile, with exhibitions spread across multiple floors featuring works and belongings of major Scottish authors. The house itself has narrow staircases and low doorways, typical of buildings from its era.
Lady Stair's House was built in 1622 and initially served as a private residence for wealthy families. In 1907, the Earl of Rosebery donated the building to Edinburgh to function as a museum, where it has documented Scottish literary history ever since.
The museum displays personal items, handwritten manuscripts, and portraits of Scottish writers including Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson, reflecting Scotland's literary heritage.
The museum sits in the heart of Royal Mile and is easily reached on foot from the main street. Rooms are spread across multiple floors, so visitors should expect stairs and wear comfortable shoes for exploring.
Makars' Court, adjacent to the museum, has stone slabs set into the ground inscribed with quotes from Scottish writers, including works from medieval times. This tucked-away small courtyard offers a quiet retreat to reflect on words that have touched generations of readers.
Location: City of Edinburgh
Part of: Museums & Galleries Edinburgh
Address: Lady Stairs House, Lady Stairs Close, Edinburgh EH1 2PA
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00; Sunday 12:00-17:00; Monday-Tuesday 10:00-17:00
Phone: 01315294901
Website: https://edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/writers-museum
GPS coordinates: 55.94969,-3.19374
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Edinburgh sits on volcanic rock, with its castle overlooking a medieval street that runs down to a royal palace. The Old Town preserves buildings from centuries past, while the New Town displays Georgian architecture in wide streets and elegant squares. Museums hold collections from Scottish...
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