John Knox House
About John Knox House
| 43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR | |
| 01315569579 | |
| John Knox House Website | |
| Follow ScotStoryCentre on Twitter | |
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.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact. We take every opportunity to ensure the details for John Knox House are accurate, please contact us at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk if any of the above information is incorrect.
Upcoming Events at John Knox House
More History and Culture in Edinburgh
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
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle ,
Blackness EH49 7NH
Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
Read more
Newhailes House and Gardens
Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road ,
Musselburgh EH21 6RY
Discover 300 years of Scottish history through this magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa.
Read more
Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddles Court
Riddle's Court 322 Lawnmarket,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2PG
Inspired by Geddes' educational philosophy, the Patrick Geddes Centre fosters learning for all through 'Hand, Heart and Head', learning by 'doing'.
Read more
Nelson Monument
32 Calton Hill,
Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA
The Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal...
Read more
The Edinburgh Dungeon
31 Market Street,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF
The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history, using live actors, theatrical sets and thrilling rides!
Read more
Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot
Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot Preston Road,
East Linton EH40 3DS
Preston Mill is an architectural oddity that will beguile visitors as much as it delights painters and photographers.
Read more
The Peoples Story Museum
163 Canongate ,
Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BN
The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s ordinary people. From work to home, healthcare to social activities, people of the past are brough...
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.The Castle...
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
Gladstones Land
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
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
Read more
Newhailes House and Gardens
Discover 300 years of Scottish history through this magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa.
Read more
Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddles Court
Inspired by Geddes' educational philosophy, the Patrick Geddes Centre fosters learning for all through 'Hand, Heart and Head', learning by 'doing'.
Read more
Nelson Monument
The Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal...
Read more
The Edinburgh Dungeon
The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history, using live actors, theatrical sets and thrilling rides!
Read more
Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot
Preston Mill is an architectural oddity that will beguile visitors as much as it delights painters and photographers.
Read more
The Peoples Story Museum
The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s ordinary people. From work to home, healthcare to social activities, people of the past are brough...
Read more
Lauriston Castle
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.The Castle...
Read more
The Tron Kirk
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
Sponsored Links
