, 36 And 38 High Street, Edinburgh

36 and 38 High Street in Edinburgh is an early 18th-century, five-storey former tenement, known as No 40, located between Hyndford's Close and South Gray's Close. It has been incorporated into a late 20th-century residential block that fronts High Street. The building is constructed of rubble with sandstone dressings on the east and west elevations, featuring raised cills. A chamfered projecting stair tower is present on the east elevation, which includes a moulded doorway and an L-plan forestair. The west elevation has a shouldered wallhead attic gable with a broad stack at the apex and regular fenestration. No 40 is linked at the first floor by a glazed bridge walkway, built in 1986, over South Gray's Close to an altered 18th-century three-storey former tenement, No 42, which is also encased behind later additions to High Street. The openings on the east and west elevations of both buildings have been blocked. Currently, both buildings are occupied by the Museum of Childhood.

The windows at No 40 feature 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case style, visible from the South Gray's and Hyndford's Close elevations. The roof is covered with grey slate, and there are broad end stacks, clay cans, and cast-iron rainwater goods.

Inside, the building was extensively remodelled in 1957 and again in 1982 to accommodate the Museum of Childhood. There is a stone turnpike stair that rises to all floors at the northeast corner of No 40. The first floor of No 42 features a restored plaster ceiling, and there is a wide shallow-vaulted cellar.