A simple tower house located within greenbelt land a half-mile (1 km) west of Liberton and 2½ miles (4 km) south of the centre of Edinburgh, Liberton Tower lies on the northeastern slopes of the Braid Hills, offering fine views over Blackford Glen and South Edinburgh.
Little altered since it was built by the Dalmahoy family c.1500, Liberton Tower comprises four rubble-built storeys with a slabbed roof, arrow slits and gun-loops. There is a barrel- vaulted basement, while the upper storey features a pointed tunnel vault. It has been A-listed since 1966. Externally it is harled with a yellow-ochre limewash and the Dalmahoy arms displayed on a carved panel on the south side. Access is via an external wooden stair to the third storey.
In 1587, the tower and estate were bought by William Little, a merchant who was also Lord Provost of Edinburgh. However Little found the tower too small and immediately set about constructing the larger Liberton House nearby. The tower was abandoned as a residence c.1610. It may have been used as a defensive position as Cromwell's troops moved towards Edinburgh in 1650. Thereafter it was used as a farm store. In the later 17th C. the tower passed by marriage to the Gilmours of Craigmillar.
In 1992, the Castles of Scotland Preservation Trust (COSPT) took a 100 year lease of the building and began to conserve, repair and restore the building. In 2011 the Vivat Trust took over from COSPT and now rents the property as holiday accommodation.
