John Knox House

About the museum

John Knox House dates from 1470 and, together with the attached Moubray House, is the oldest surviving medieval building on the Royal Mile. It is linked to the Scottish Reformation, the turbulent period that led to civil war and the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots. Tradition says John Knox lived here in the last months before his death in 1572, although he stayed only briefly. His name saved the house from demolition in the 1840s.

The house was also the home of James Mosman, goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here from the 1550s with his wife Mariotta Arries. Their initials can still be seen on the front of the building. Mosman was loyal to the queen, joined the Queen’s Men who held Edinburgh Castle for her, and was executed in 1573.

During an excavation of the house, time capsules were found buried in the gable wall to mark the moment the building was saved. One is on show in the window. Visitors can look for the tricks and traps meant to fool intruders and the devil hidden in the Oak Room ceiling. A history exhibition curated by Dr Donald Smith is also on show. The house is run with the neighbouring Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Highlights

• Oldest surviving medieval house on the Royal Mile, dating from 1470
• Link to the Reformer John Knox and to Mary, Queen of Scots
• Initials of James Mosman and Mariotta Arries on the facade
• Devil hidden in the Oak Room ceiling
• Time capsule from the 1840s on display

Permanent exhibitions

• The rooms of John Knox House – Rooms of the 1470 house told through the stories of its residents, with tricks and traps for intruders, the painted Oak Room ceiling and a display of time capsules.
• History of the House – An exhibition curated by Dr Donald Smith on John Knox, the Reformation, Mary, Queen of Scots and how the house was saved from demolition.

Founded

1850

Operated by

Scottish Storytelling Centre (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland)

Admission & discounts

Booking is not essential; visitor numbers are capped at 30 per hour.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The house is a listed building. Only the entrance level is accessible by wheelchair, and the other floors are reached by a winding staircase. One entrance has level access, while the other has a small step up. The attached Scottish Storytelling Centre is wheelchair accessible with lifts to all floors and has accessible toilets, with baby changing facilities, on the ground floor, and hearing loops at reception and in the theatre. Assistance dogs are welcome. Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in the on-street bays on the High Street and Jeffrey Street.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Children over 7 pay a reduced price and younger children enter free. A baby changing facility is in the accessible toilet of the neighbouring Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Getting there & parking

The house is halfway down the Royal Mile. A taxi rank is across the road at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Storytelling Café and a bookshop selling stories, books about John Knox and souvenirs are in the attached Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit