John Knox House, 45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1

Illustration by Andrew Cadey

John Knox House dates back to 1470, which makes it and Moubray House attached, the oldest, original medieval building surviving on the Royal Mile. It is an important and rare survival of a medieval house, having escaped calls for its demolition first in 1794, then in the 1850s and again in the 1950s. The connection with John Knox is significant and, although he may or may not have lived in the house, the persistent association has undoubtedly helped prevent its demise during successive periods of 'improvement'. Instead, the mid 19th century conservation campaign to save the building was one of the first of its kind in Scotland.

The luckenbuiths (stone stalls) on the ground floor, once open to the High Street, are the only surviving examples of medieval shops in Scotland.

Limited first edition print run of 75