Not far from Holyrood Palace, towards the eastern end of the Canongate is one of the most picturesque closes (or passageways) of Edinburgh's Old Town. Most of White Horse Close is more recent than the 1623 date displayed. The date-stone was modified in the 1930s, having previously been recorded with an implausible date of 1523.

Originally, White Horse Close was probably the site of the Palace stables and may have been named after the favourite mount of Mary, Queen of Scots. From the 17th Century it was the site of an inn which was the terminus for the coach service to London. Prince Charles Edward Stuart's officers were quartered here when they entered Edinburgh in 1745 upon his return from exile in France to claim the throne of Scotland.

Your purchase will provide unrestricted financial resources to endow the acquisition fund for the National Museum of Scotland.