Some of these lead to open courtyards and are therefore called courts.
Tall buildings on both sides gave many closes a canyon-like appearance and atmosphere.
Most closes slope steeply down from the Royal Mile.
For anyone walking down the long flights of stairs, it creates the impression of walking into the underground.
Closes originally had some form of gateway at the Royal Mile end, usually a large iron gate.
In some cases you might still see the mounting points for these in the stone.
At night, these gates would be closed and locked, allowing access only to those with a key.
In many ways, Edinburgh Closes were an early example of gated communities.
The ghosts of those who died here is said to still haunt the place.
Deacon Brodie was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
White Horse Close is another popular close that leads to a picturesque group of whitewash houses.
Another one, the Dunbar Close, leads to a secluded garden.
A map showing the various closes that branches off Royal Mile running horizontally through the center of the map.
Image credit: Edinburgh-Sites.com.Click herefor the interactive version.
Photo credit:Y Nakanishi/Flickr
Photo credit:Neha Viswanathan/Flickr
Old fishmarket close.
Photo credit:nan/Flickr
Photo credit:www.edinburghspotlight.com
Sources:Wikipedia/Edinburgh Notes/Stuck on Scotland
