Dunbar's Close Garden
Slip through an unmarked close off the Canongate and you'll find yourself in a perfectly restored 17th-century walled garden — one of Edinburgh's most serene and least-known escapes. Moments from the tourist crowds, it feels like a different city entirely.
A Hidden Oasis With a Storied Past
Dunbar's Close Garden was laid out in the 17th-century style by the eminent biologist Patrick Geddes, who aimed to recreate the kind of private garden that the grand townhouses of the Canongate would originally have had. It was restored to its current form in 1978 and donated to the City of Edinburgh, meaning entry is free and open to all.
The walled garden recreates historical Scottish landscaping with period-appropriate plants, clipped box hedges, gravel paths, and intimate stone seating areas — all of it completely invisible from the street outside.
The View That Rewards the Detour
From within the garden, a gap in the south wall frames a view that has been called one of the finest cityscapes in Edinburgh: Calton Hill and the neoclassical sweep of the Royal High School rise against the sky in a composition that feels almost staged.
It is the kind of view that stops you mid-stride. Bring a sandwich, sit on one of the stone benches, and let the city slow down around you — this is exactly the kind of place that makes Canongate special.
Finding It
The close entrance is at 137 Canongate, on the south side of the street, marked by a simple archway. It is easy to walk past if you are not looking for it — which is precisely why most visitors do.
The garden sits just a few doors down from Canongate Kirk, making it a natural pairing on any Canongate walk. Visit in late spring when the planting is at its most lush.
Dunbar's Close Garden on video
More of Canongate
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Canongate →
