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Pilrig House


Although built as a domestic residence in 1638, Pilrig House stands on the site of an old peel tower – possibly giving the house its name (Pilrig meaning “peel ridge”) – evidence of which remains in the form of massive walls in the basement.

Little is known of the early castle, except that it was certainly owned by Sir Patrick Monypenny between 1584 and 1601 (and possibly longer). In 1623 an Edinburgh goldsmith named Gilbert Kirkwood bought the property, and in 1638 built the present Pilrig House on an L-plan.

A carved pediment above a dormer window on the north wall, next to the stair tower, carries the initials “G K” (for Gilbert Kirkwood), “M F” (his wife Margaret Foulis) and the date 16_8 (presumably 1638).

A slightly-rounded external stair tower was built in the re-entrant angle on the north side, with a rectangular caphouse corbelled out at the top.

However there is a main doorway on the south wall, much more ornate in design and therefore possibly from a later period.

From 1718 to 1941 it was owned by the Balfour family, and it was here that Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather, Lewis Balfour, was born in 1777. In fact Pilrig House is mentioned in two of Stevenson’s books – Kidnapped and Catriona.

In 1971 Pilrig House burned down, but it was rebuilt in 1982 and now consists of self-catering apartments.

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Alternative names for Pilrig House

30 Pilrig House Close; Pilrig Park; Pilrig Road

Where is Pilrig House?

Pilrig House is in the parish of Edinburgh and the county of Midlothian.

Grid reference:NT 2637 7579

Lat / long:55.969405,-3.181301

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OS Map for Pilrig House

OS map 350
Edinburgh (Musselburgh & Queensferry)
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Directions to Pilrig House

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Weather at Pilrig House

4°C
max 5°C / min 2°C
7km/h E
1006mb
86%
100%
06:00 18:36

Light rain
Weather observed at Edinburgh at 01:44

References (websites)

Canmore

Castles near Pilrig House

Lochend Castle

1.7km away

Croft an Righ

1.8km away

Dingwall Castle (site of)

1.9km away

Inverleith (site of)

1.9km away

Holyroodhouse

1.9km away

Wardie Castle

2.4km away

Craigentinny Castle

2.4km away

Habb's Castle (possible) (site of)

2.4km away

Edinburgh Castle

2.6km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Pilrig House

Edinburgh Castle fort

2.6km away

Dunsapie fort

3.2km away

Arthur's Seat fort

3.3km away

Samson's Ribs fort

3.6km away

Wester Craiglockhart Hill fort

6.7km away

Buck Stane standing stone

6.8km away

Caiy Stane standing stone and rock art

7.7km away

Cat Stanes (site of) cairns

7.7km away

Camus Stone (site of) standing stone

7.9km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Pilrig House

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

2.5km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

2.5km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

2.6km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

22.6km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

22.6km away

Jonathan's Cave Class I rock carving

22.9km away

Sliding Cave Class I rock carving

23.0km away

Scoonie Class II cross slab

28.5km away

East Lomond Hill Class I symbol stone

30.4km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Pilrig House

Haddington silver chain

25.2km away

Traprain Law silver chain

31.9km away

Norrie's Law hoard

34.7km away

Borland silver chain

35.8km away

Whitlaw silver chain

36.4km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

37.6km away

Hoardweel silver chain

54.6km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

71.6km away

Dunnicaer fort

125.4km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Pilrig House

Pilrig House
self-catering apartmentEdinburgh
0.0km away
Edinburgh House Hotel
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
0.2km away
Atholl Brae - The Harland
self-catering apartmentEdinburgh
0.4km away
Craigmoss Guest House
hotelEdinburgh
0.4km away
Abbotsford Guest House
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
0.5km away
Edinburgh House
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
0.5km away
Acorn Lodge
bed and breakfastEdinburgh
0.6km away
Chiara Apartment
self-catering apartmentEdinburgh
0.7km away
A-Haven Townhouse Hotel
hotelEdinburgh
0.7km away
Victoria Park House Hotel
hotelEdinburgh
0.8km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Pilrig House

Central Bar
barEdinburgh
0.6km away
V Deep
bar, restaurantEdinburgh
0.6km away
Waterline
barEdinburgh
0.9km away
Cameo
barEdinburgh
1.0km away
Frankfurter Eck
restaurantEdinburgh
1.0km away
Edinburgh Central Hostel
hostel, restaurant, caféEdinburgh
1.1km away
Nobles Café, Bar & Venue
bar, caféEdinburgh
1.1km away
Teuchters Landing & A Room In Leith
pub, restaurantEdinburgh
1.1km away
The Granary
restaurant, pubEdinburgh
1.1km away
No. 11 Hotel & Brasserie
hotel, restaurantEdinburgh
1.2km away
more food.... / more drink....

Related pages

Dirleton Castle in East Lothian
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Garden of Cosmic Speculation plus castles
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Inveraray Castle and standing stone
Inveraray Castle and standing stone
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A doocot, a castle and a beach in East Lothian
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
A pair of castles on the River Tweed
Dunbar harbour and castle
Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 2:00 pm. Updated on the 2nd of May 2016 at 6:47 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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