image copyright Rachel Windsor

Advocate's Close, off the Royal Mile, is named for Sir James Stewart, Lord Advocate, who once lived on the close. Some parts of the close date from the 16th century, including Adam Bothwell's House, once thought to have been the home of Bishop Bothwell, and to the east side of the close is perhaps the best preserved 16th century tenement in Edinburgh, currently in use as office accommodation.

The first name we have for this close is Cantt’s Close, named for Harry Cant who built a tenement here around 1480.  The datestone at the top of the close commemorates the 1590 rebuilding by Clement Cor.   In 1654, the close was renamed Home’s Close and property was bought by Sir James Stewart of Caithness, and the close became Stewart’s Close.  His son, Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees, inherited the property and the close became known as Advocate’s Close sometime after he became the 1st Lord Advocate in 1692.   Other residents have included Andrew Crosbie and Sir John Scougal. The close later became council buildings for the City of Edinburgh Council, and was sold off after the removal of the Council to Waverley Court.  The majority of the buildings here are being redeveloped as a mixed use scheme by Morgan McDonnell Architecture.