Writers' Museum

About the museum

The Writers' Museum is housed in Lady Stair's House, a seventeenth-century townhouse reached through a narrow close just off the Lawnmarket, the upper part of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The close leads into Makars' Court, a literary monument, and the museum is run by the city, today through Culture Edinburgh.

Its displays tell the life stories of three major Scottish authors: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Portraits, rare books, manuscripts and personal belongings fill the rooms. Among the objects are Burns's writing desk and a plaster cast of his skull, one of only three ever made, together with a chair he used to correct proofs at a printing office. For Scott there are his rocking horse and the printing press on which the Waverley Novels were produced, and for Stevenson his riding boots, a ring given to him by a Samoan chief and a wardrobe made by Deacon Brodie, whose double life may have inspired the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

First editions of Scott's novel Waverley and Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses are among the books on show, and the manuscripts include Burns's draft of Scots Wha Hae. Admission is free. The old building has narrow stairs between the floors and no lift.

Highlights

• Burns's writing desk and a plaster cast of his skull
• Scott's rocking horse and the printing press used for the Waverley Novels
• Stevenson's riding boots, a ring from a Samoan chief and a wardrobe by Deacon Brodie
• First editions of Waverley and A Child's Garden of Verses
• Free entry in a historic house beside Makars' Court

Permanent exhibitions

• Robert Burns – The poet's life, with his writing desk, a draft of Scots Wha Hae and a plaster cast of his skull.
• Sir Walter Scott – Scott's life and work, including first editions of Waverley, his rocking horse and the press that printed the Waverley Novels.
• Robert Louis Stevenson – Objects from Stevenson's life, including his riding boots, a ring from a Samoan chief and a wardrobe made by Deacon Brodie.

Operated by

Culture Edinburgh

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance has one step and a handrail. Because of the historic building there is no lift and no ramp, and the galleries are reached by stairs only; steps lead to the lower ground floor, first and second floors, and to the reception, shop and second-floor toilets. Some parts have low lighting. Display information is in large print, and a large-print version of all museum text is available on request. Information in French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese is available. A British Sign Language tour of the museum is available online. Sensory packs can be borrowed by neurodivergent visitors or those with additional support needs.

Kids & families

Family sensory packs can be borrowed by neurodivergent visitors or those with additional support needs.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Lady Stair's Close, just off the Lawnmarket section of the Royal Mile; walk down from the castle and turn left into the close after Gladstone's Land. Cyclists can reach it via the Mound.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The reception and shop are on the second floor, reached by stairs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit