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John Knox House
Address: 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
John Knox’s House is a historic house dating back to 1470. Originally it was owned by a family of goldsmiths named Mossman, and briefly in 1572, the Protestant reformer John Knox may have lived there. This is where the house gets its name, but there is some debate over whether he ever really stayed there or even visited. The house is located in the Netherbow area, which was the site of the medieval Netherbow Port, a large gateway that used to stand over the Royal Mile. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Edinburgh.
The lower floors of the house host an exhibition about the history of the house and its past inhabitants. Including the story of John Knox and the Scottish Reformation. You can also visit The Oak Room on the top floor, a wood-panelled apartment with a 17th century painted ceiling.
5 things to do at John Knox House
- Explore the medieval building and discover its full story. An audio guide (in English) is available for a small charge, which singles out the points of interest and tells stories of the past inhabitants of the house.
- See the special exhibition, over three floors, which showcases the beautiful craftsmanship of the house and the stories of its inhabitants. From James Mossman (goldsmith to Mary Queen of Scots) to John Knox himself.
- Learn about recent research and excavations uncovering the history of the building, including how it was saved from demolition in the 1840s.
- View the time capsule, displayed in the window, which was found buried in the gable wall during an excavation of the house.
- For an extra special tour, the Scottish Storytelling Centre next door offers bespoke tours of the building and surrounding Netherbow area with a professional storyteller, helping to bring the history of the place to life.
