Architecture Notes

Event ID 772014

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/772014

Byre's Close (Byer's Close) was named for John Byres, merchant burgess (1569-1629). Adam Bothwell, Bishop of Orkney (d.1593) also had his house here (see NT27SE 277), still noted for its half-octagon gable and curious "bee holes" on its East front. "Protocols of John Foular" record two earlier names for the close: in 1525 it is noted as Malcolm's Close, for a family of that name, owners of a land on its East side; and in 1534 it is given as William Lauder's Close, evidently named for William Lauder, bailie in 1528, or quite possibly for his namesake, a bailie in 1453. (from Stuart Harris, "Place Names of Edinburgh", 1996, page 139).