Redhall House

A B-listed mansion located behind Craiglockhart Drive South, on the right bank of the Water of Leith, Redhall House lies 3 miles (5 km) southwest of the centre of Edinburgh. Once standing in extensive grounds, laid out on both sides of the river, the house was built in 1758 at a cost of £928 for George Inglis of Auchendinny. It comprises two-storeys (plus an attic and basement) and five bays, with the centre three supporting a pediment enhanced by urns.

The house was constructed in the French-chateau style by local architect James Robertson using local red sandstone removed from the 13th-century Redhall Tower, which once lay adjacent and attacked by Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650. This reclaimed stone was hidden behind harling, itself enhanced by ashlar dressings and quoins. Redhall was extended c.1900 with the addition of a Classical porch, a sizeable new west wing with canted-bay facade and re-roofed with red tiles. The interior was also redesigned at this time, although several original features remain, including the cantilever stair and vestiges of the 18th-century floor-plan.

The estate had been the property of King's Advocate Sir Adam Otterburn (d.1548) and was bought by Inglis in 1755. Much later the house acquired by the Edinburgh Corporation and it became a children's home in 1944. It was latterly a staff training centre for the City of Edinburgh Council, before being sold to a developer in 2008 for £1.73 million.

Graysmill and Cairnpark Special Schools were built in the grounds in 1978 and catered for children with special educational needs; the former merged with Willowpark to form Braidburn School at Firrhill in 2005 and the latter closed in 2007.

The policies are of considerable archaeological interest and include a fine stable block, a doo'cot, a walled garden, and ornamental gardens designed by James Bowie in 1758, together with possible Mediaeval and post-Mediaeval remains, evidence of prehistoric occupation and an alleged Roman Road. An area of land next to the house was sold for housing in 2007 and the developer contributed to the cost of restoring the A-listed doo'cot, which was built in 1755. The Walled Garden, also dating from 1755, lies on the opposite bank of the Water of Leith and is now an horticultural training centre.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better