Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Bakehouse Close
AO Edited

Bakehouse Close

This alley off Edinburgh's Royal Mile contains remnants of the city's seedier history.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Copy of ‘Ranger’s Impartial List’   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
A plaque explaining the list.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Signs in the close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Bakehouse Close.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
17th Century Doorway   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The closes, or alleyways, that peel off Edinburgh's Royal Mile are said to resemble the bones of fish, and each has a tale or two to tell. Every one of these alleyways is given a name associated with a prosperous person or a certain profession relating to that particular passage. However, Bakehouse Close has a more salacious backstory than this heading might suggest.

The High Street, the backbone of this aforementioned fish, was the main artery of the Old Town in the capital city of Edinburgh. Toward the end of the 1700s, this was an area known for its dens of vice and immorality. A visitor who came here to explore the wonders and innovations during the Age of Enlightenment was in need of a guide to help steer them in the right direction and avoid the pitfalls of sin and depravity. But they might also want to know where to procure a companion of the feminine persuasion. 

This is where James "Balloon" Tyler’s Ranger’s Impartial List comes in handy. It was a guidebook that helped gentlemen tourists select a particular lady based on a range of criteria, including her age, physical characteristics, and temperament. It also noted if the woman possessed certain skills and attributes, such as; "She regards neither decency or decorum, and would be willing to lie with a chimney-sweep as with a Lord."  This particular publication contained nearly 70 women and listed where to find them.

One such venue was The Cock and Trumpet Pub located just off Bakehouse Close. This establishment was often frequented by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson. The insignia of The Cock and Trumpet can still be viewed above the doorway of the courtyard currently occupied by the Edinburgh World Heritage organization.

Besides the remnant of the previously mentioned tavern, there is a placard with information pertaining to the Ranger's List, including; several photos and assorted entries. These were provided by the group Edinburgh in 101 Objects. The original copy of the guidebook resides in the National Library of Scotland and can be viewed online.

British television enthusiasts may recognize Bakehouse Close as the filming location of the Print Shop of "Alexander Malcolm" from the series Outlander. It's here that the characters "Jamie" and "Claire" were reunited.

Related Tags

Prostitution Books

Know Before You Go

Bakehouse Close is located next to The Museum of Edinburgh and across the street from New Calton Burial Ground. Stepping inside the close, the courtyard containing the Cock and Trumpet is to your left. Access to the information placard is also in this enclosure and may only be visible during regular business hours, M - F 9 - 5, closed on weekends.

Should you want a copy of the 'Ranger's Impartial List of Ladies of Edinburgh'; Gladstone's Land on the Royal Mile, has made a replica available for purchase, sold through the gift shop on the ground level.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

hrnick, Edward Denny, dadenis, rbenn250

  • hrnick
  • Edward Denny
  • dadenis
  • rbenn250

Published

September 17, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://edinburgh.org/101/#object96
Bakehouse Close
7 Bakehouse Cl
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8DD
United Kingdom
55.95107, -3.178552
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Edinburgh Book Sculptures

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Museum of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Monuments Garden

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Edinburgh Book Sculptures

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Museum of Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Monuments Garden

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Related Places

  • St. Govor’s Well.

    London, England

    St. Govor’s Well

    This ancient spring in central London was featured in a Peter Pan story.

  • Fontenoy-la-Joûte, France

    Village du Livre de Fontenoy-la-Joûte

    This village in the northeast of France is packed with book shops.

  • Dallas, Texas

    Half Price Books Flagship Store

    A Texas-sized secondhand bookstore features 54,000 square feet of books, music, and media.

  • The mural on the side of the bookstore is a collaboration between “BMike” Odums and READ MORE BOOKS.

    New Orleans, Louisiana

    Community Book Center

    The oldest Black-owned bookstore in New Orleans was started by a substitute teacher on a mission.

  • The “Heart Book” is a collection of Danish folk songs, c. 1550s.

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Royal Danish Library Treasures

    Denmark’s ultra-modern library hides a treasury of rare, unique books.

  • Miss Laura’s Social Club.

    Fort Smith, Arkansas

    Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum

    The only brothel on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Québec City, Québec

    Maison de la Littérature

    A former church transformed into a public library.

  • Librarian with Donkey Monument

    Ürgüp, Turkey

    Librarian With the Donkey Monument

    A monument to the Turkish librarian who delivered books on the back of a donkey.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.