Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
6 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
7 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
8 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
9 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh World's End Close

World's End Close

This otherwise ordinary close on the Royal Mile constituted the end of the world for Edinburgh’s poorest residents.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
Rachel Gould
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The World’s End, Edinburgh   © GerritR/Wikimedia Commons
The World’s End, Edinburgh   © GerritR/Wikimedia Commons
photo taken Sep 2022   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
World’s End Close   © Bernt Rostad/Flickr
World’s End Close   © jockrutherford/Wikimedia Commons
  jonnybstrange22 / Atlas Obscura User
World’s End Close   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Brass Plaques signifying Netherport Gates   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Situated on the Royal Mile, World’s End Close appears to be a typical alleyway in a part of the city that was once a fish market. 

Records indicate that it was formerly referred to as Swift’s Close in the 15th century after a John Swyft; and later, Stanfield’s Close after Sir James Stanfield, who was supposedly drowned by his son. But it was an entrance toll by which this now-famous point of interest became known as World’s End Close.

Before architect James Craig designed the first iteration of Edinburgh's expansive New Town area in the mid 18th-century, the Scottish capital was significantly smaller than it is today with a high-density population of mostly poor residents. World's End Close had marked the city limit as it was once located inside a gatehouse called the Netherbow Port, which served as a passageway between the Royal Mile and the Canongate region of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Illustrated as an imposing fortification adorned with the heads of executed prisoners, the Netherbow Port required travelers to pay a fee to both enter and leave the gates. Therefore, those who were unable to afford the toll were confined to Edinburgh for their entire lives.

When looking down at the cobblestone streets of the Royal Mile, you may come across occasional brass bricks. These bricks indicate where buildings once stood. Here at The World's End, you can see where the Netherbow Port was located. Just up from here, at the John Knox House, there is a tower that contains the bell that once rang out to indicate when the gates were about to close for the night. You may inquire within at the shop to see the bell, but only if someone is available to take you up the three flights of stairs.

Know Before You Go

The Netherbow Port was demolished in 1764, but a neighboring pub called The World’s End, located on a corner where the Royal Mile intersects with St. Mary's Street, honors the history of World’s End Close.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Rachel Gould

Edited By

SEANETTA, Freiluft, Jaszmina Szendrey, Collector of Experiences...

  • SEANETTA
  • Freiluft
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Collector of Experiences
  • rbenn250
  • Gavin
  • jonnybstrange22

Published

December 19, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.royal-mile.com/closes/close-worldsend.html
  • http://www.royal-mile.com/history/netherbow-port.html
  • https://edinburgh.org/101/#object4
  • https://www.edinburghexpert.com/blog/welcome-to-the-worlds-end
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_End_Murders#:~:text=The%20World's%20End%20Murders%20is,in%20Edinburgh's%20Old%20Town.
World's End Close
World's End Close
Edinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
55.95039, -3.184435
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Tweeddale Court

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

John Knox House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Netherbow Bell

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Tweeddale Court

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

John Knox House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Netherbow Bell

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.