Place Name

Fleshmarket Close, Edinburgh, Scotland

Where the Flesh meets the Market, and the spirits meet the Streets!

Introduction:

Fleshmarket Close is one of thae names that makes folk stop mid‑stride and wonder if they have wandered into a thriller novel. It sounds like the title of a gritty film or an indie band that only plays in candlelit basements.

But dinnae worry, there is nae undead butcher lurkin in the shadows.

The name conjures images of medieval butchers shoutin their wares, and while that isnae entirely wrong, it is only part of the tale. Some say the close wis once lined wi meat stalls, others claim it wis simply near the auld flesh market that operated nearby.

Whatever the truth, it is a name that makes ye think twice before sayin it oot loud.

Toponymy:

Let’s tak this name tae pieces.

Flesh – This word brings tae mind meat, markets and maybe a wee bit of horror if ye have an overactive imagination. In the context of Fleshmarket Close, it refers tae the meat trade that once thrived in this part of the Old Town. If ye wanted beef, lamb or anything freshly butchered, this wis the place tae find it.

Market – A market is where folk gather tae buy and sell goods, and in this case it wis mostly meat. It adds a practical note tae the name, even if it still sounds like something whispered in a ghost story.

Pit the twa thegither and ye get a name that makes visitors pause, grin and maybe blush before askin for directions.

Historical Context:

The history of Fleshmarket Close stretches back tae the 1500s, when Edinburgh’s Old Town wis packed wi traders, stalls and the unmistakable smell of fresh meat. The close served as a route between the High Street and the lower markets, makin it a busy passage for butchers and customers alike.

By the 1600s, the flesh market wis a vital part of the city’s economy, wi vendors shoutin prices and customers hagglin for the best cuts. The close echoed wi footsteps, chatter and the clatter of wooden carts. As the city grew and the markets shifted, the close lost its commercial role but kept its unforgettable name.

Victorian writers loved Fleshmarket Close, often mentionin it in travel journals as an example of Edinburgh’s colourful and sometimes eyebrow‑liftin place names. Today, it remains one of the Old Town’s most photographed closes, a blend of history, humour and pure Edinburgh charm.

Points of Interest:

If ye are in the area, hae a keek at:

• Mercat Cross - A historic symbol of Edinburgh’s medieval trade and public proclamations.

• St Giles’ Cathedral - A Gothic masterpiece wi centuries of stories in its walls.

• The Real Mary King’s Close - An underground tour that dives into the darker corners of Old Town life.

• Edinburgh Castle - The city’s crown, perched high above the streets wi views for miles.

• The Banshee Labyrinth - A haunted pub full of atmosphere, stories and guid pints.

Notable Figures:

Famous folk associated wi Fleshmarket Close or Edinburgh include:

• Robert Louis Stevenson - Born in the city and inspired by its closes, wynds and shadows.

• Sir Walter Scott - The writer who shaped Scotland’s literary identity.

• David Hume - A philosopher of the Enlightenment whose ideas still echo through the city.

• J. K. Rowling - Wrote much of her early work in Edinburgh’s cafés.

• Alexander Graham Bell - Born in Edinburgh and went on tae change the world of communication.

Conclusion:

So next time ye wander doon Fleshmarket Close, tak a moment tae enjoy the mix of history, humour and a name that refuses tae behave. It is a place where the past lingers in every stone and the stories are as rich as the city itself.

And if ye are hungry for mair names that make ye laugh, groan or question the sanity of our ancestors, hae a keek at www.strangeplacenames.com – where every odd corner of the map has a tale worth tellin.

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