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An imposing building sitting within a large courtyard. Other buildings surround the courtyard.

Makars' Court

Celebrating Scotland’s writers


Makars’ Court is a national literary monument where the famous words of great Scottish writers are inscribed in the flagstones beneath your feet. Quoted authors range from the 14th century John Barbour to Dame Muriel Spark, who died in 2006.


The Scots word Makar means ‘one who fashions, constructs, produces, prepares…’ (Dictionary of the Scots Language). In a literary context, it refers to the role of the poet or author - a skilled and versatile worker in the craft of writing.


Makars' Court is next to The Writers’ Museum and is easy to find - it’s just off the Lawnmarket, the top part of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, in Lady Stair’s Close.


This ongoing project began in 1997 to coincide with the International PEN (Poets, Essayists and Novelists) conference held in Edinburgh that summer.


The first stone, dedicated to fourteenth-century poet John Barbour, was unveiled by Ronald Harwood, President of International PEN. In 1998 the next eleven stones, representing Scotland’s main literary languages - Scots, Latin, Gaelic and English - and ranging in date from Robert Henryson to Sorley MacLean, were unveiled by the poet Iain Crichton Smith.


Each of the writers is commemorated by a quotation inscribed in stone, and set in the paving outside The Writers’ Museum.


Makars’ Court will continue to develop as more writers are added.  Organisations, interest groups or individuals can offer to sponsor additional stones. Further information is available on request. Please email: museumsandgalleries@edinburgh.gov.uk