Visit John Knox House in Edinburgh | Tour Details & Highlights

About the John Knox House 

The John Knox House is interesting for many reasons — many of which are not directly related to the building’s namesake!

Who Was John Knox

John Knox, born in 1513 in Haddington, trained to be a Catholic priest. This was before becoming a leading protestant reformer in England and Scotland. 

In short, he played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation, which led to run-ins with the Catholic English monarchy regent Queen Mary of Guise and her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots. The theologian played a key role in developing the liturgy for the Church of Scotland and contributed to shaping a democratic system of governance through his teachings.

The History of 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh

What we now know as the house of John Knox in Edinburgh was built in 1470. It is the last standing medieval mansion located in Edinburgh. The building, which would be named after the protestant reformer John Knox, had another famous inhabitant, a loyal Catholic goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots, James Mossman.  

Mossman came into the property when he married heiress Mariota Arres. His family’s coat of arms with their initials is still on the front facade of the building. The house and all his wealth were taken from him when he joined a revolt following Queen Mary’s forced abdication in favour of her infant son, James VI.       

While there is no concrete evidence, it is believed that John Knox spent his final months in the now-empty house. During this time, he continued preaching in the area, including at St Giles Cathedral, just a short walk away, before his death in 1573.

So, while we don’t know for certain whether or not Knox resided at the house bearing his name, the association has saved the building from demolition many times over the years. 

Visiting Details

John Knox House is located at 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh – a leisurely stroll from our Bright Bus stop on the Royal Mile. Before visiting, consider these other essential details. 

Note: Your exploration of the historic house is a separate experience from Bright Bus Tours’ ticket prices. Our City Tour tickets, which include the Royal Mile stop and 12 other stops throughout Edinburgh, start from £16. 

Highlights of The John Knox House

Here are just some of the highlights of the historic house.
Be sure to collect or download a free guide on the museum’s website so you don’t miss anything.

Time Capsule

During excavations of the house, intriguing time capsules were found buried in a wall. A window display showcases part of this interesting bit of history.     

Book Room

As the first UNESCO City of Literature, many of Edinburgh’s attractions have a bookish link. On the first floor of the John Knox House, this link is visible in the Book Room, where you can see Reformation literature, such as the first English Bible printed in Scotland, the Bassendyne Bible. Before the Reformation, the Bible was only available in Latin.

Mossman Room

James Mossman’s life is depicted in a dedicated space which features reproductions of coins he made of the Stewart dynasty and tools he used as the goldsmith to Mary, Queen of Scots. Also, look out for the exquisite examples of 17th-century Dutch tiling on the fireplace. 

Oak Room

Aptly called the Oak Room, this space on the second floor gives a glimpse into the opulent lives of a goldsmith with royal patronage and inherited wealth. If you look closely, you can see some curious imagery. This includes the devil hiding, fairies and zodiac signs carved in the enchanting wood panelling.    

Scottish Storytelling Centre

Combine your outing with a stop at the Scottish Storytelling Centre next door for a dose of culture. The centre offers live storytelling, an interactive story wall and theatre productions year-round. 

Amenities & Accesibility

You can expect the following amenities during your visit:

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