Architecture Notes
Event ID 837704
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Architecture Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/837704
NT27SE 5339 25444 73547
NT27SE 314 25453 73542 537-539 Castlehill, Front Block to S
17th century rear block of three storeys, stair tower to close on E side. Front block early 19th century, three storeys.
RCAHMS 1951.
Semple's or Sempill's Close was named for the mansion at the foot of the close built by a David Brown in 1638, and occupied by Grissel, Lady Semple, widow of Francis, 8th Lord Semple, prior to 1734, when it was acquired by Hugh, 11th Lord Semple. It seems also to have been called Williamson's Close from a house in it owned by Joseph Williamson, advocate, of a family with a penchant for naming their properties humorously. (from Stuart Harris, "Place Names of Edinburgh", 1996, page 559)