Advocates Library

Edinburgh

The Advocates Library was founded in 1689. It is widely regarded as the finest working law library in Scotland and one of the top law libraries in the British Isles. As it is a working library, it is not open to the public and Doors Open provides a rare opportunity to visit. 

It is located in Parliament House next to the Court of Session, near St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile. The main section of the Advocates Library was built in the mid-1800s from designs by William Playfair. Many of Scotland’s advocates are based here, and work and conduct research in the library in support of promoting access to justice.

Guided, 30-minute tours covering two floors of the library will take place throughout the day. Times and tickets are available online here. Online booking is highly recommended but there will be some tickets at the door as well.

Link to online ticketing (via EventBrite):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-advocates-library-89651033873

 

2024 Theme - Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections

Advocates often studied in European Centres of law and brought back insights which helped develop the practice of civil law in Scotland.

 

Facilities

• Disabled Access
• Disabled WC
• WC

Additional Access Information

All visitors to Parliament House must come through Scottish Courts security checks at the entrance.  The SCTS are also participating in DOD.