

The Tiny Street in Scotland That Holds the Record as the World’s Shortest
The story of Ebenezer Place begins in 1883 when entrepreneur Alexander Sinclair returned to Wick after making his fortune in America. Sinclair built Mackay’s Hotel on the corner of Union Street and River Street, a prominent intersection in the town. The hotel featured a quirky architectural detail: a narrow frontage at the extreme corner of the building, barely wider than a doorway.
Town officials insisted that this tiny stretch needed an official street name, both for postal and legal purposes. Sinclair, or the town council, selected the name Ebenezer Place, and it quickly appeared in town records by 1887, officially recognizing the street despite its minuscule size.
Guinness World Record Recognition and Global Fame

Though Ebenezer Place existed officially for a century, it wasn’t until 2006 that the Guinness Book of World Records formally recognized it as the world’s shortest street, measuring just 2.06 meters (6 feet 9 inches) long. This recognition came after the opening of a small bistro using the address No. 1 Ebenezer Place on the hotel’s narrow facade.
Before Ebenezer Place took the record, Elgin Street in Bacup, England—at a length of 5.2 meters—was considered the shortest street in the world. The quirky designation of Ebenezer Place captured the public imagination, bringing visitors and tourists keen to witness the world’s tiniest street.
What’s It Like to Visit Ebenezer Place?

A visit to Ebenezer Place is a brief but memorable experience. It might be tempting to dismiss it as a mere curiosity, but standing there, you appreciate the intersection of history, local character, and urban planning bureaucracy that gave birth to such an anomaly.
The street consists entirely of the hotel’s narrow façade, with no room for other businesses or homes. The address corresponds to the entrance to the hotel’s bistro, making it simultaneously functional and whimsical.
Visitors often combine the stop with meals at Mackay’s Hotel’s No1 Bistro and a stroll through the scenic town of Wick, immersing themselves in local Highland culture. The street also connects Union Street and River Street, making it a tiny but official passage.
Fun Facts and Trivia About Ebenezer Place
- Ebenezer Place is only 2.06 meters (6 feet 9 inches) long—roughly the length of two average adult men lying head to toe.
- It holds a unique claim as the only street with a single official address: No. 1 Ebenezer Place.
- Alexander Sinclair, the hotel’s builder, is said to have made his fortune in America before returning to Wick to build Mackay’s Hotel.
- The street’s official recognition by Guinness took more than 100 years after it was first named in 1887.
- The Guinness World Record adjudicator, Craig Glenday, traveled through harsh Scottish weather to personally measure and confirm the record in 2006.
- The house in question, Mackay’s Hotel, offers visitors a chance to stay “on the world’s shortest street.”
- Ebenezer Place’s claim to fame has helped promote tourism and local pride for the town of Wick.
- The name “Ebenezer” means “stone of help” and has biblical origins, reflecting the era’s naming conventions.
A Small Street with a Big Story
Ebenezer Place in Wick, Scotland, is a charming reminder that size is not everything. This tiny street’s world record and fascinating backstory make it a delightful footnote in urban geography and a shining example of how even the smallest spaces can hold a big place in history.
Whether you’re a world record enthusiast, a Scottish traveler, or someone curious about the oddities of human settlements, Ebenezer Place invites a quick visit and a memorable photo opportunity. After all, it’s not every day you get to say you’ve walked on the world’s shortest street.
If this tiny slice of Scottish history captivated you, share this article to spread awareness of one of the quirkiest and most lovable world records.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Mackays Hotel: The World’s Shortest Street
- Wikipedia: Ebenezer Place, Wick
- Guinness World Records: Shortest Street Record
- TripAdvisor: Visitor Reviews of Ebenezer Place
- Saiga Tours: Shortest Street in the World
These sources provide detailed historical context, measurements, and visitor insights into Ebenezer Place’s unique claim and enduring appeal.

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India
The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.

Grüner See, The Park That Turns Into A Giant Lake Naturally
There is a place in Austria called Grüner See which is a dry park in winter and turns into a 12-meter-deep lake in summer.

The mysterious GIANT spherical stones
Mysterious spherical stones ranging in size from a few millimeters to several meters have been discovered in Crimea, United States, Russia, and New Zealand. There are many theories from various geologists, but none of them are clear.

The Amazing Hanging Stone in Siberia Has Defied Gravity Since the Ice Age
The unbelievable "Hanging Stone" of Siberia weighs around 300 tons and has been hanging off a 1,000-meter cliff since the Ice Age.

Ancient Jericho: The First Walled City In History
The ancient city of Jericho is the world's oldest walled city, with evidence of stone fortifications dating back nearly 9000 years.

The story behind Glasgow's iconic Duke of Wellington statue and its well-known traffic cone hat
The city of Glasgow spends approximately £10,000 every year to remove traffic cones from the head of the Duke of Wellington statue. The Duke of Wellington statue, which first appeared in the early 1980s, has worn an orange traffic cone hat for decades. but how did it get there - and more importantly how did it stay?

Top 10 Mysterious And Least Explored Places On Earth
Some people believe that there is nothing unexplored remaining on earth but the world doesn't cease to surprise us with its mysteries. Today I'll tell you about the lost places of the planet and animals that live only there.

The Mystery of Canada's Magical Spotted Lake
Lake Khiluk, the world's most mineralized lake, and one of the most mysterious places on Earth. Each of these spots has a distinct chemical content and is said to cure various diseases.

Top 10 Greatest and shocking Archaeological Discoveries of All Time
While we're all locked at home, there's no better way to escape to another time and place than to learn about amazing archeological sites and discoveries from around the world. Here are the 10 greatest and shocking archaeological discoveries —and don't be shocked if they inspire future trip plans whenever it's safe to do so again.

Why Londoners Celebrate No Trousers Day by Riding the Metro Without Pants
Every year, Londoners participate in a quirky and joyful tradition known as No Trousers Day, where brave commuters board the London Underground dressed normally but without trousers, pants, or pajamas from the waist down. This cheeky event brings laughter, surprises, and a shared sense of community to the usually dull winter commute, reflecting a playful rebellion against the mundane and a celebration of spontaneity. Discover the origins, spirit, and fun behind London’s beloved No Trousers Tube Ride.

Circular Bridge Built To Slow Down Drivers So That They Would Enjoy The View (Photos)
Uruguay’s Laguna Garzon Bridge splits into a circle so drivers can slow down and enjoy the view. It also prevents head-on collisions and creates a walkway for pedestrians.

How Migratory Birds Navigate Thousands of Miles Without Getting Lost
Migratory birds undertake epic journeys spanning thousands of miles with astonishing precision, never losing their way. Their secret lies in a remarkable blend of innate senses, learned experience, and sophisticated navigation tools—ranging from the Earth's magnetic field to celestial clues and mental maps. Explore how these feathered travelers accomplish one of nature's most astounding feats through science, intuition, and adaptation.

The Mystical Money Tree of the Scottish Highlands: A 1,700-Year-Old Tradition
In the Peak District Forest of the Scottish Highlands in the UK, there is a unique tree which is laden with only money. This tree laden with money has been studded with British coins for 1700 years, there is no corner of its trunk where a British coin is not stuck.

How Sweden’s 300,000 Oak Trees Became an Unintended Legacy: The Naval Forest That Outlived Wooden Warships
In the 1830s, Sweden planted 300,000 oak trees for the purpose of building naval ships. However, by the time the trees matured, metal warships had replaced the need for wooden ones. The forest still stands to this day.

The Desert That Turns Into a Garden of Flowers Every Few Years
In parts of the desert where life seems most scarce, nature orchestrates an extraordinary transformation: the barren ground bursts into vibrant colors as wildflowers bloom after rare periods of rain. This phenomenon, known as a desert superbloom, is both awe-inspiring and scientifically fascinating. Learn how deserts like the Sonoran transform from arid landscapes into stunning floral displays, the environmental triggers behind this spectacle, and what these blooms reveal about resilience and adaptation in extreme environments.

This soon-to-be-closed train station in Japan only serves one passenger
Japan keeps a defunc train station operational in 2015 for the sole purpose of allowing one girl to go to school every day. Only two stops are made by the train: once when an only one high school student departs for school and once when she returns.

Qasr al-Farid, the Lonely Castle of the Nabataeans
The remote tomb of Qasr al-Farid, situated in the Saudi Arabian desert, dates back to the 1st Century CE. It was built by the Nabataean people, who also built Petra in Jordan. This site has remained largely undisturbed.

The Lake That Explodes: The Deadly Mystery of Africa’s Silent Killer
Did you know some lakes can kill without warning? Lake Nyos in Cameroon once erupted with invisible carbon dioxide, suffocating 1,700 people in minutes. These rare “exploding lakes” silently build pressure, turning still waters into deadly, unseen assassins.

Sandy Island: The Phantom Island That Fooled Maps and Google Earth for Centuries
Sandy Island, charted since 1774, was long considered a phantom island in the Coral Sea. Despite appearing on maps and Google Earth, it was "undiscovered" by scientists in 2012, revealing only deep ocean instead of land. The island's existence was likely a cartographic error or a misidentified pumice raft.

When two rivers meet but do not mix in Georgia
The incredible Black and White Aragvi river in Georgia that do not mix up.

How Xico in Mexico Transformed from Volcano to Lake to Farmland
Xico, located near Mexico City, has a fascinating geological and cultural history that tells a story of transformation—once a violent volcano, then a serene lake, and today a fertile expanse of farmland. This transformation reflects the dynamic forces of nature and human intervention over centuries. This article explores the journey of Xico’s volcanic crater from its fiery origins through its time as a lake and how it ultimately became rich soil supporting agriculture and community life.

How Were the Two Parts of the Al Naslaa Rock Formation Created?
Scientists have been puzzled by the Al Naslaa rock formation in Saudi Arabia for a long time, and there is still no explanation for why this boulder appears to have a precise incision across the middle of it.

Famous abandoned cities and ghost towns in the world
Learn the stories behind seven of the world's most renowned abandoned cities and villages, from the infamous Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe zone to Hashima Island.

11 Amazing and famous rock formations around the world
For many years, people have been attracted to these spectacular-looking boulders because of their shape, components, location, or picturesque surroundings. Many of them are massive, and seeing them is an amazing experience.

9 countries at risk of disappearing due to climate change
Although global warming is a serious threat to the entire planet, some geographical regions are more vulnerable to its effects.