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Muirhouse


Antient and Modern State of the Parish of Cramond
John Philip Wood, Edinburgh, 1794

Muirhouse is mentioned as far back as the early 14th century, and may have been a royal residence.

In 1316 or 1320 it was given by Robert the Bruce, along with Cramond Regis, to Sir William Oliphant of Aberdalgie, as compensation for lands in Kincardineshire taken by John Balliol. Oliphant was a loyal supporter of Bruce, and his son, Sir Walter Oliphant, would later marry Bruce’s daughter Elizabeth.

Muirhouse remained in the Oliphant family until 1631, when it was bought by John Hamilton, an apothecary from Edinburgh. His son, William Hamilton of Muirhouse, sold the estate around 1662 to a John Denholm, whose son, Robert Denholm of Muirhouse, subsequently sold it to a James Hunter around 1672.

It is said that a new house was built around 1670, probably on the site of the older castle, and possibly incorporating elements into it. It may be that it was built by Hunter, who died bankrupt in 1697. His creditors sold the barony of Muirhouse to a Robert Watson of Damhead.

Muirhouse remained in the Watson family until 1776, when debts forced the then owner, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Watson of the 25th Regiment of Foot, to sell it to William Davidson, who had made his fortune as a merchant in Rotterdam, Holland.

An engraving from 1794 shows what may be an L-plan tower house, extended to the north with a three storey wing flanked by narrow round towers.

It was approached by avenues from the west, north and east, each lined with old oaks, limes and other trees. The main approach was that from the east, where there were gateposts topped off with griffins.

Old Muirhouse, as it became known, was demolished around 1832 or 1833, following the building of a new Muirhouse nearby for Captain William Davidson. The two circular stair towers from the old house were still to be seen as ruins within the garden until they were demolished in 1950. The griffin gate pillars were demolished around 1960.

Nothing now remains, and the site of Muirhouse lies under Muirhouse Parkway, which was once the eastern driveway to the old house.

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Alternative names for Muirhouse

Muirhouse Old Mansion; Murrais; Murrize; Old Muirhouse

Where is Muirhouse?

Muirhouse is in the parish of Edinburgh and the county of Midlothian.

Grid reference:NT 21314 76329

Lat / long:55.973534,-3.262345

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OS Map for Muirhouse

OS map 350
Edinburgh (Musselburgh & Queensferry)
OS Explorer map 350


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Directions to Muirhouse

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Weather at Muirhouse

5°C
max 7°C / min 5°C
30km/h WSW
1024mb
83%
40%
07:52 17:02

Scattered clouds
Weather observed at Edinburgh at 09:54

References (books)

Antient and Modern State of the Parish of Cramond
John Philip Wood
Edinburgh, 1794

References (websites)

Canmore
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Castles near Muirhouse

Pilton (site of)

0.9km away

Lauriston Castle

1.1km away

Drylaw

1.1km away

Barnton Castle (site of)

1.4km away

Granton Castle (site of)

1.6km away

Royston Castle (site of)

1.6km away

Groathill (possible) (site of)

1.7km away

Craigcrook Castle

2.1km away

Cramond Tower

2.3km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Muirhouse

Cammo Stone standing stone

4.2km away

Edinburgh Castle fort

4.7km away

Wester Craiglockhart Hill fort

6.4km away

Arthur's Seat fort

7.3km away

Samson's Ribs fort

7.3km away

Dunsapie fort

7.5km away

Buck Stane standing stone

7.8km away

Caiy Stane standing stone and rock art

8.5km away

Cat Stanes (site of) cairns

8.6km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Muirhouse

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

4.6km away

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

5.4km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

5.4km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

24.3km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

24.4km away

Jonathan's Cave Class I rock carving

24.7km away

Sliding Cave Class I rock carving

24.8km away

Tullibole Class III cross slab

29.1km away

East Lomond Hill Class I symbol stone

30.0km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Muirhouse

Haddington silver chain

30.2km away

Borland silver chain

33.7km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

35.3km away

Norrie's Law hoard

36.7km away

Traprain Law silver chain

37.0km away

Whitlaw silver chain

40.2km away

Hoardweel silver chain

59.6km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

69.1km away

Dunnicaer fort

127.6km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Muirhouse

Almond House Lodge
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
0.7km away
Marchfield Guest House
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
1.3km away
Acer Lodge Guest House
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
2.0km away
Holiday Inn Edinburgh City West
hotel, bar, restaurantEdinburgh
2.2km away
Best Western Edinburgh Capital Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEdinburgh
2.2km away
Ellersly House Hotel
hotelEdinburgh
3.1km away
Ardbrae House Bed and Breakfast
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
3.2km away
Travelodge Edinburgh Learmonth Hotel
hotelEdinburgh
3.3km away
Hampton Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantEdinburgh
3.3km away
Murrayfield Hotel and Lodge
hotelEdinburgh
3.3km away

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Muirhouse

Holiday Inn Edinburgh City West
hotel, bar, restaurantEdinburgh
2.2km away
Best Western Edinburgh Capital Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEdinburgh
2.2km away
Hampton Hotel
hotel, bar, restaurantEdinburgh
3.3km away
The Scran & Scallie
pub, restaurantEdinburgh
3.4km away
Holiday Inn Edinburgh
hotel, bar, restaurantEdinburgh
3.4km away
Patisserie Madeleine
caféEdinburgh
3.6km away
The Stockbridge Tap
barEdinburgh
3.6km away
Cumberland Hotel
hotel, barEdinburgh
3.7km away
Peter's Yard Stockbridge
caféEdinburgh
3.7km away
Pizza Express Edinburgh Deanhaugh Street
restaurantEdinburgh
3.7km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 29th of April 2011 at 10:49 pm. Updated on the 20th of April 2018 at 6:22 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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