TWEEDDALE COURT

At the Back of this decorative close was the Tweeddale mansion occupied by Dame Margaret Kerr, daughter of the 1st Earl of Lothian.

Later the mansion became the Head Office of the British Linen Bank. large sums of cash were transfered to and from by the Banks Porters.

In 1806 one such porter, William Begbie, was robbed and murdered.

The murderer ambushed Begbie and had used a piece of paper on the knife so no blood would be spattered, escaping through the close and disappearing amongst the crowds on the high street. They were never caught and the money, £4,392 was never recovered.

from 1817 until 1973 the building was occupied by Oliver & Boyd publishers. It was restored in the 1980s and in 1984 the Scottish Poetry Library was established.

Another interesting feature is the original wrought iron gates and a shelter for sedan chairs which were used to carry the richer citizens above the filthly streets.