Museum
John Knox House
Timber-fronted medieval tenement with a booby-trapped spiral stair, jutting out over the street.
0:00≈ 2 min
Location
0:00≈ 2 min
About this audio guide
This guide to John Knox House uncovers who actually built it: not the reformer whose name hangs above the door, but a goldsmith, James Mossman, who married into the property in the 1550s and rebuilt it with thick walls and a booby-trapped spiral stair. It follows his work as keeper of the Royal Mint striking coins for Mary, Queen of Scots, and his decision to stay loyal to her as Edinburgh's nobles switched sides and her enemies laid siege to Edinburgh Castle. Feel for the uneven step on the stair as you climb.
This audio guide was created using AI.