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

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 Cadies & Witchery Tours

84 West Bow, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2HH

The award-winning Cadies & Witchery Tours invite you to join their fearless phantoms for a suspenseful and mirth-filled tour of Edinburgh's Old Town!

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

Prestongrange Museum

Prestongrange Museum Morrisons Haven, Prestonpans EH32 9RX

Prestongrange is a free open-air museum, that tells 700 years of industrial heritage history. Family friendly, with lots to see and do!

READ MORE

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

9 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JQ

The RCPE is an independent standard-setting body and professional membership organisation. Our aim is to improve and maintain the quality of patient care.

READ MORE

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JJ

Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years.

READ MORE

John Gray Centre

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX

The John Gray Centre brings together East Lothian Council’s Archaeology, Museum, Archive and Local History Services, alongside Haddington’s branch library.

READ MORE

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Discover the story of Scotland at war within the walls of Edinburgh Castle with a visit to the National War Musuem.

READ MORE

Dirleton Castle

Dirleton Castle , Dirleton EH39 5ER

Dirleton Castle hase some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240.

READ MORE

Auld Reekie Tours

45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

Take a journey into the dark side of old Edinburgh's history touring the haunted underground vaults with Auld Reekie Tours!

READ MORE

Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel Chapel Loan, Roslin EH25 9PU

Owned by The Earl and Countess of RosslynRosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held here weekly. The Chapel...

READ MORE

Military Museum Scotland

Legion Hall Louis Braille Avenue, Wilkieston , Kirknewton EH27 8EJ

Come and learn about the Scottish involvement in the British military from WW1 to the present day at the Military Museum Scotland!

READ MORE
All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Enchanted Afternoons Princess Concert
Join us for a magical journey into the world of enchantment when the Enchanted Afternoons Princess Concert comes to the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 30th June!
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!
Come and Try Orienteering at Saughton Park and Gardens
Come and try orienteering with Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club at beautiful Saughton Park on 18th May!
Derek Forbes - a Very Simple Mind
Following the recent release of his autobiography ‘A Very Simple Mind’, Derek Forbes is now on tour promoting it! Catch him at The Voodoo Rooms on 12th November!
Andrew O’Hagan on ‘Caledonian Road’
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh will be hosting an evening with Andrew O'Hagan on his latest novel 'Caledonian Road' at Greenside Parish Church on Tuesdays 4th June.

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