OLD FISHMARKET CLOSE

'a steep, narrow stinking ravine' best describes a past scene from the commercial heyday of this poultry and fishmarket.

Home also to the City Hangman or 'Doomster', the last being a John High who died in 1817.

George Heriot, benefactor and founder of the Hospital and School which bear his name, lived here in 1856.

Daniel Defoe is also rumoured to have worked here as a secret agent to the English Government at the Treaty of Union in 1707.

The head of the close was for many years a station for a primitive fire engine dragged out by rope in the event of emergency.