Wide Close

Formerly known as Limpetlaws Close, in early mediaeval times this close formed part of the Via Regia which led to Lanark Castle at the foot of what is now Castlegate. The route to the east was via Greenside Lane, Cleghorn Road then either onwards to Leechford or to the ford above Cleghorn Mill.

The close remained an important route into the 19th century and was home to two Inns and a smithy. It also led to the tannery works belonging to the Vassie family. When the new road to Edinburgh, Hope Street, was finally built in the 1830s the Wide Close was used solely for local traffic.