5. John Knox House
One of Edinburgh’s most historic and picturesque old dwellings, John Knox House on the High Street is thought to have been lived in and owned by the Protestant reformer John Knox - although there is no concrete evidence to actually support this. The house was constructed around 1490 and originally belonged to a Mr Walter Reidpath, who passed it on to his next of kin. John Knox House has changed little in style over the years, retaining its ‘overhanging’ upper floors - a feature once common in medieval Edinburgh architecture. If John Knox did ever stay in the house, it is thought that it was for no more than a few months during the great siege of Edinburgh Castle in the 16th century. However, some claim the famous Scots minister died here. Photo: via WikiCommons
6. Moubray House 1500s
Sharing the same nook of the High Street as John Knox House is an equally-ancient residence, Moubray House. It was built back in 1477 for a Mr Robert Moubray and was later used as a tavern and a bookshop. The esteemed writer Daniel Defoe resided here for a spell while he was editor of the Edinburgh Courant newspaper. The facade of Moubray House was rebuilt in the early 17th century, though parts of the interior are very much original. Photo: via WikiCommons
7. Merchiston Tower
Although not in the Old Town, this building is worth a mention due to its age. Sometimes referred to as Merchiston Castle, this five-storey L-plan tower was built around 1454 by Alexander Napier, the second Laird of Merchiston. The building remained in the Napier family for several centuries and it is recorded that John Napier, the inventor of logarithms was born here in 1550. How appropriate then that the tower is now situated in the grounds of modern-day Napier University. The tower was built upon a rocky outcrop, which can still be seen on two sides of the building. Photo: via WikiCommons
8. The Magdalen Chapel
Just to the east of the Grassmarket at the start of the Cowgate stands the quaint Magdalen Chapel. The chapel was built between 1541 and 1544 at the bequest of one Michael MacQueen who was interred here shortly after its completion. Magdalen Chapel is notable as being the last Roman Catholic church to have been constructed in Edinburgh prior the Reformation and provides us with the only remaining example of pre-Reformation stained glass in Scotland. This is particularly astonishing when you consider that the chapel is considered the ‘cradle of Presbyterianism’, having held the first ever assembly of the new Church of Scotland in 1560. John Knox was one of the 42 ministers present. The chapel is now the headquarters of the Scottish Reformation Society. Photo: via WikiCommons