LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

John Knox House

Dating back to 1470 John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history!

John Knox House

About John Knox House

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR
01315569579
John Knox House Website
Follow JohnKnoxHouse on Twitter
Facebook information can be found here

Walk in the footsteps of its famous inhabitants and hear the drama unfold in every room. Look out for the tricks and traps to fool intruders; hunt for the devil hiding in The Oak Room ceiling and try your hand at our portrait puzzles that have stumped many visitors in the past.

John Knox House dates back to 1470, which makes it and Moubray House which is attached, the only original medieval building surviving on the Royal Mile. The house is associated with one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in Scottish History - The Scottish Reformation - which resulted in the outbreak of civil war and the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Although John Knox only stayed in this house for a short time before his death in 1572, it was his association with the house that saved it from demolition in the 1840s. During an excavation of the house, time-capsules were found buried in the gable wall of the house to commemorate the moment the building was saved. One of these time capsules is displayed in the window of our bookshop.

James Mosman - jeweller and goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots - lived in the house in the 1550s until his execution in 1573. He was extremely loyal to Queen Mary and was part of the ‘Queen’s Men’ who seized Edinburgh Castle in an attempt to restore Mary to the throne after her forced abdication in favour of her protestant son James VI. Explore the house to find out the fate of James Mosman.

Upcoming Events at John Knox House

Related Links

Scottish Storytelling Centre

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling and theatre, music, workshops and festivals.

READ MORE

More History and Culture in Edinburgh

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House Hopetoun, South Queensferry EH30 9SL

Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland's finest stately home at its heart.

READ MORE

Gladstones Land

477b Lawnmarket, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NT

Gladstone's Land, the house of wealthy merchant and landlord Thomas Gledstanes showcases high-rise living, 17th-century style, at the beating heart of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile!

READ MORE

Greyfriars Kirk

1 Greyfriars, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2QQ

Welcome to Greyfriars Kirk, a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since 1620.

READ MORE

Museum of Childhood Edinburgh

42 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1TG

The Museum of Childhood has a place in the hearts of millions. The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, it displays toys and...

READ MORE

Curious About Edinburgh Tour

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Have fun discovering Edinburgh with two self-guided, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt... buy or instantly download & get curious!

READ MORE

Lauriston Castle

2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh West EH4 6AD

When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.

READ MORE

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.

READ MORE

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF

Connecting Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland.

READ MORE

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.

READ MORE

Traquair House

Traquair House , Innerleithen EH44 6PW

Traquair is a unique piece of living history welcoming visitors from all over the world. Enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, Garden Cafe and the famous Brewery!

READ MORE

Newhailes House and Gardens

Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

Discover 300 years of Scottish history through the magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa that is Newhailes House and Gardens!

READ MORE

The Tron Kirk

122 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SG

The Tron Kirk, or Christ’s Kirk at the Tron, has stood in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town for almost 400 years.

READ MORE
All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Edinburgh Seafood Festival
Edinburgh Seafood Festival returns to St James Quarter Edinburgh from 4th to 6th May. It's an unmissable, fun-filled weekend for seafood lovers and foodies!
Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit On The Poster
Amy Gledhill, Triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, National Comedy Award nominee and 1/3 of cult double act The Delightful Sausage, returns with a show about self-confidence, romance and bin bags!
Brick Fest Live
For the first time ever, the world’s largest hands-on LEGO® event of its kind catapults from the US to make its UK debut this Spring at the Royal Highland Centre!
Castle Street Market
Held in brightly coloured gazebos in the heart of central Edinburgh, Castle Street Market is filled with top quality products and has something to satisfy every taste!
Ginger Beer DIY Workshop
Join Earth in Common for this workshop on 23rd May, where we will be making our own ginger beer starter as well as a bottle of ginger beer for you to take home and enjoy!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall