Writers' Museum
Writers' Museum
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Writers' Museum in the 17th century Lady Stair's House, is dedicated to the lives and work of Scotland's great literary figures, particularly Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. The rich collection of manuscripts, first editions and portraits is complemented by a series of personal exhibits that include Burns' writing desk and the Ballantyne Press on which Scott's Waverley novels were originally published.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavored souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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See what travelers are saying
- ldjsFort Lee, New Jersey692 contributionsHidden gemStopped for some time at the recommendation of our tour guide and really enjoyed artifacts from Robert Luis Stevenson’s life and got a better feel for life in Edinburgh at that time. Lots of artifacts and stories in this cozy museum, the Brodie wardrobe connected to Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, particularly made an impression. The museum is in a beautiful building on the Royal Mile and the steps leading up to it have quotes from Scottish authors, lovely.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 1, 2023
- CjeanBMound, Minnesota35 contributionsA hidden gemSmall free museum with some lovely items from Scottish writers and poets. Enjoyed our stop. Note do see everything you must climb steep steps. The building that houses the museum was very interesting. So glad we stopped!Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 8, 2023
- HW31Dudley, United Kingdom160 contributionsHistory of Scottish writersNice little Museum about the three writers Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. Each writer has an area of the museum displaying their history and relevant items. For a free museum it's informative and in a lovely building.Visited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 28, 2023
- timothy hCanton, Georgia143 contributionsRoyal mile gemI did not plan to visit the small museum, but it was well worth it. We were walking the Royal Mile, and kept noticing all of the alleys called “———- close”. We walked down one and found this gem. Very cool history of Scottish writers.Visited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 10, 2023
- em_rol120 contributionsSqueeze In This SpotTake a chance down the close to visit this intriguing museum. The building is remarkable, and even the literary-littered sidewalk outside is a must-see. Some of Scotland’s great writers will become even more familiar to you, and you can enjoy the lovely gift shop as well.Visited May 2023Traveled soloWritten May 29, 2023
- Sheana MInverness, United Kingdom187 contributionsA little gemEasy to find , well presented, lots of information. Helpful staff and great to wander round such an old building. Full of interesting items.take the spiral stairs carefullyVisited July 2023Traveled soloWritten July 26, 2023
- Nicole3 contributionsWorth a visitLots of interesting information about three acclaimed Scottish writers. Sadly the Burns' floor was shut off for maintenance when I visited. However, enjoyed the rest of the museum. There is also a small memorial outside for war poets.Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten July 28, 2023
- Jay BFairhope, Alabama1,050 contributionsA Quiet, Educational RespiteLike most big cities, Edinburgh can get a bit busy and loud. This is a great place where you can get away from the noise and take your time to learn about the three great literary giants from Edinburgh, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. The museum is quite compact, with a small floor of informative exhibits dedicated to each author. Note that the stairs could be a challenge for those with mobility issues. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and later purchased some books at an Edinburgh bookstore in honor of these distinguished authors!Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 30, 2023
- Weary Travellery161 contributionsWorth seeking outThere are a lot of quirky little attractions in Edinburgh, and this is one we really enjoyed. It's a little off the beaten track, but if you persevere, it's worth the trip, Plus, it was free! Start your visit by seeking out all the pithy and witty quotes engraved on paving stones in the courtyard in front of the museum. Once inside, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the lives of Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, among others. There are a lot of personal items, photos, letters, etc., that really give you a feel for and appreciation of the enormous contribution these men and women made to our society.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 20, 2023
- jeanniedDover_KentBarfrestone, United Kingdom130 contributionsWell laid out and interesting speciality museumThis small speciality museum is situated just off the Royal Mile. Before entering be sure to walk around the outside - a number of sayings are etched into the stones. The building itself would be difficult to negotiate if a person was disabled as the stairs going both up and down to the basement are quite narrow and steep. This is, of course, down to the age and design of the building so not much can be done about it. The museum iself is dedicated to three of Scotland's greatest writers, Sir Walter Scott, Rabbie Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson so a fan of Scottish literature would find it very interesting particularly as there was a room deicated to each writer. The artefacts were well worth a look at, and manuscripts were a reminder of how writing was done in the days before computers and Word. Hard to imagine writing a novel by hand these days and printing it on the manual printing press on display. Staff were helpful and there was a small reasonably priced gift shop. It probably isn't everyone's cupof tea but I found it quite fascinating.Visited August 2023Traveled soloWritten September 2, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
402 reviews
Excellent
155
Very good
184
Average
51
Poor
12
Terrible
0
anonymoustipp
Tipperary, Ireland16 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I love to read and have a huge passion for museums. I was very excited to visit a museum dedicated to Scottish writers and learn more about Scotland's literary heritage. Unfortunately, this museum focuses on three of Scotland's most famous male writers from the lens of an assortment of items: 'highlights'include Sir Walter Scott's childhood rocking chair and bizarrely, a pair of his slippers. Tourists barely registered the exhibits, moving on quickly and looking slightly confused. Bar some cursory plaques, the magnitude of these literary giants' work is not communicated sufficiently. There was a short exhibit about a writer called Christine Orr and having decided I would like to read more of her work, I asked at the counter did they have copies of her book for sale, which was, unsurprisingly at this stage, answered in the negative. The two sale assistant's returned to their conversation, while an elderly man continued to glare at me from his solitary post in a corner,as I walked back out - awful stuff.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ldjs
Fort Lee, NJ692 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Stopped for some time at the recommendation of our tour guide and really enjoyed artifacts from Robert Luis Stevenson’s life and got a better feel for life in Edinburgh at that time.
Lots of artifacts and stories in this cozy museum, the Brodie wardrobe connected to Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, particularly made an impression.
The museum is in a beautiful building on the Royal Mile and the steps leading up to it have quotes from Scottish authors, lovely.
Lots of artifacts and stories in this cozy museum, the Brodie wardrobe connected to Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, particularly made an impression.
The museum is in a beautiful building on the Royal Mile and the steps leading up to it have quotes from Scottish authors, lovely.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay B
Fairhope, AL1,050 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Like most big cities, Edinburgh can get a bit busy and loud. This is a great place where you can get away from the noise and take your time to learn about the three great literary giants from Edinburgh, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. The museum is quite compact, with a small floor of informative exhibits dedicated to each author. Note that the stairs could be a challenge for those with mobility issues. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and later purchased some books at an Edinburgh bookstore in honor of these distinguished authors!
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Fond du Lac, WI5 contributions
Oct 2022
If you are a fan of Robbie Burns, Walter Scott, or Robert Louis Stevenson, this free museum just off the Royal Mile is a must-see. But the real treat is the house itself. The Lady Stairs House was built in 1622, and it is charming and fun to explore.
You get there from the Royal Mile through Lady Stairs Close, just past Gladstone's Land -- one of the many little passages off the Royal Mile. At the end of the close (an old Norse word for "street"), there's a nice little courtyard and views of the house.
Unfortunately, the only access to the courtyard and the house is by stairs, but it's well worth a visit.
You get there from the Royal Mile through Lady Stairs Close, just past Gladstone's Land -- one of the many little passages off the Royal Mile. At the end of the close (an old Norse word for "street"), there's a nice little courtyard and views of the house.
Unfortunately, the only access to the courtyard and the house is by stairs, but it's well worth a visit.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jovana
Dublin, Ireland20 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
The museum was part of our first day in Edinburgh which we labeled as „places you must have seen in Edinburgh“. First we had some difficulties to find it but after the first look we were both amazed by the building itself which is already worth a visit.
Very cosy place with interesting exhibitions - if you like history as literature you should definitely visit. It’s going to be a short visit, which makes it a perfekt in-between.
Very cosy place with interesting exhibitions - if you like history as literature you should definitely visit. It’s going to be a short visit, which makes it a perfekt in-between.
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anna and lu
108 contributions
Apr 2021
If you are fond of literature go and visit this hidden gem.
No admission fee and interesting manuscripts and items connected with Scott, Burns and Stevenson.
It is a little bit small so it might be unsuitable for very big groups.
Recommended!
No admission fee and interesting manuscripts and items connected with Scott, Burns and Stevenson.
It is a little bit small so it might be unsuitable for very big groups.
Recommended!
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HW31
Dudley, UK160 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Nice little Museum about the three writers Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. Each writer has an area of the museum displaying their history and relevant items. For a free museum it's informative and in a lovely building.
Written April 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Weary Travellery
Lexington, KY161 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
There are a lot of quirky little attractions in Edinburgh, and this is one we really enjoyed. It's a little off the beaten track, but if you persevere, it's worth the trip, Plus, it was free!
Start your visit by seeking out all the pithy and witty quotes engraved on paving stones in the courtyard in front of the museum.
Once inside, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the lives of Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, among others. There are a lot of personal items, photos, letters, etc., that really give you a feel for and appreciation of the enormous contribution these men and women made to our society.
Start your visit by seeking out all the pithy and witty quotes engraved on paving stones in the courtyard in front of the museum.
Once inside, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the lives of Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, among others. There are a lot of personal items, photos, letters, etc., that really give you a feel for and appreciation of the enormous contribution these men and women made to our society.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeanniedDover_Kent
Barfrestone, UK130 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
This small speciality museum is situated just off the Royal Mile. Before entering be sure to walk around the outside - a number of sayings are etched into the stones. The building itself would be difficult to negotiate if a person was disabled as the stairs going both up and down to the basement are quite narrow and steep. This is, of course, down to the age and design of the building so not much can be done about it. The museum iself is dedicated to three of Scotland's greatest writers, Sir Walter Scott, Rabbie Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson so a fan of Scottish literature would find it very interesting particularly as there was a room deicated to each writer. The artefacts were well worth a look at, and manuscripts were a reminder of how writing was done in the days before computers and Word. Hard to imagine writing a novel by hand these days and printing it on the manual printing press on display. Staff were helpful and there was a small reasonably priced gift shop. It probably isn't everyone's cupof tea but I found it quite fascinating.
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamie c
England, UK2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Bit boring. Entry being free sort of made up for it, but we only went to pass a bit of time. I think you have got to really enjoy english to like this place, otherwise you may be uninterested. The building from the outside looks nice enough though.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda A
28 contributions
Hi all! Planning a visit to Scotland for hopefully October of this year (Covid depending).
The Writer's Museum shows up on a lot of the lists of things to do in Edinburgh, but I'm wondering if it's worth it. I don't have any particular love for the three writers the museum focuses on, but the museum kept popping up in my searches! Would people recommend other museums over this one? We only have a few days in Edinburgh and are already planning a good chunk of time at the castle and Holyroodhouse. Would prefer non-art specific museums hence the pull towards this one.
Thanks!
Eileen108
Mount Shasta, CA4,314 contributions
No need to go to the writer's museum - I like those writers, but was not particularly fascinated by seeing their walking sticks or family photos. I would recommend downloading Rick Steves free audio "Edinburgh Royal Mile Walk", he points out more interesting things and talks about the history as you walk along - I learned so much! I also enjoyed "Mary Kings Close" but make sure you do a timed reservation because people were being turned away when we visited. Hope things will be open again and you can do your planned trip in October!
Benjamin-Borg
Zejtun, Malta119 contributions
Do you have about Robertson Louis Stevenson
Jan H
Dallas, TX233 contributions
Sorry, meant to say the museum has a section with a nice display on Robert Louis Stevenson.
papamulligrubs
Bungay, UK1 contribution
Picture of Burns meeting Scott - that hangs in the Burns room - do you have it on line?
Natascha
Marburg, Germany244 contributions
No I don't, sorry.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Writers' Museum
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Writers' Museum:
- Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh (From $31.20)
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- (0.02 mi) Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
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