Old Stamp Office Close Plaque

Mystery shrouds Old Stamp Office Close. Did it always hold such captivating secrets? This close, tucked away in Edinburgh’s bustling Royal Mile, whispers tales of countesses, rebellions, and financial empires. Old Stamp Office Close earned its name from the government’s Stamp Office, housed here from before 1779 until 1821. Before that, this very spot pulsed with the energy of finance. The Royal Bank of Scotland, newly established in 1727, chose Old Stamp Office Close for its first offices, remaining until 1753. Imagine the rustle of banknotes and the murmur of financial deals echoing within these walls. But Old Stamp Office Close wasn’t solely about business. It also housed the Countess of Eglinton and her seven daughters, renowned for their beauty. Picture them, stepping out of gilded sedan chairs, ready to grace the dancing assemblies in Assembly Close. The poet Allan Ramsay, captivated by their elegance, dedicated “The Gentle Shepherd” to the Countess. Within the close also stood Fortune’s Tavern and the Ship Tavern. These taverns hosted levees for the General Assembly’s Lord High Commissioner in 1754, adding another layer of social intrigue to the close’s history. Amidst this vibrant tapestry of society and commerce, a young Flora Macdonald received her education in a school within Old Stamp Office Close. Years later, she would risk everything to aid Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape after the Battle of Culloden, a testament to the close’s connection to both high society and daring rebellion. Old Stamp Office Close stands as a silent witness to Edinburgh’s rich and varied past. It reminds us that history isn’t just about grand events, but also the lives and stories that unfolded within these very walls.