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Architecture Notes

Event ID 786666

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/786666

ARCHITECT: William Burn, 1828 (additions).

OWNER: Edinburgh Town Council.

Pilrig House was built in 1638 in an L-shaped plan around the turnpike stair for an Edinburgh goldsmith, Gilbert Kirkwood. The Balfour family lived in it from 1718 to 1941, when they gave it to the City of Edinburgh. The internal panelling, decorative plaster work and ornamental fireplaces survived until a fire in 1971 when the house was all but destroyed.

The author R.L. Stevenson's grandfather, Lewis Balfour was born in the house in 1777, and Stevenson mentions the house in two of his novels. A plaque unveiled in 1985 on the reopening of the restored building has a qoute from Stevenson's novel, Catriona - " I came in view of Pilrig, a pleasnt gabled house set by the walkside among brave young woods."

REFERENCE:

SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE:

Description of a visit, 1778. GD 126/Box 30

Measured plan of area of ground including Pilrig House, 18th century. GD69/28

Report by David MacGibbon, architect on the state of the roof, 1892. GD69/292

A plan of the area of ground includes Pilrig House, 18th century. GD69/283

Dyke below house and dyke from upper house to roadside dyke 13 roods, 1 2/3 ells high , 116.6.8 (pounds)

Dyke above house, 6 roods, 1 2/3 ells high

19 roods coping, 10" and 12" high. 33.13.4

Dyke on NW of park, 6 roods, dykes

Leading into house 2 1/2 roods

Total dykes ?217.12. - Scots

For building the Westermost ?toofall at the Avenue Head 13 days masons etc. SRO RH 9/1/153

REFERENCE:

Laird of Pilrigs's account 1727-8

1728 Enclosing ground - 3751 cartloads stones at 5 1/2 85.19.2 1/2 (pounds)

Masons buil;ding dykes 165 roods at 3/4 and 4 gates 27.10.19 (pounds)

Total w. other expenses to 1729 193.4.5 (pounds ster.)

1728 James Balfour of Pilrig Esq. to Geo. Honison and Bros.

12 June For Building a House at Avenue Head 7 1/2 roods at 9 (pounds)Scots 67.10 (pounds)

+ 4 1/2 roods dykes above the house, dyke between the 2 houses,

2 roods 26 ells dyke below house, and pinning dyke between the two (etc.) total 112.4 Ster (pounds)

Building the Northmost house at Avenue Road,

7 roods at 15/- 5.5

Masons' wages, building the Toofall (?), hewing steps, building stair,

and building Northmost and Southmost Facing wall 17 rood at 3/4 (etc.) 9.16.8 (pounds ster.)

8 roods dyke, dry stone and stone and lime, and 2 bridges over ditches. 35.6.8 (pounds scots.)

NMRS Print Room

W.Schomberg Scott Photograph Collection, Acc. No. 1997/39

2 Prints of the garden front.

People and Organisations

References